ISSUE NINE AUTUMN 2005 PUBLISHED BY THE MERSEY BASIN CAMPAIGN WWW.MERSEYBASIN.ORG.UK

CELEBRITY MAKEOVERS Lancashire gets the star treatment.

INTERVIEW PC Kath Juckes and the Birch Green Dirt Busters COMMENT It’s time to move the Mersey SourceNW is the magazine of the Mersey Basin Campaign. The campaign works towards better water quality and sustainable waterside regeneration for the rivers and waterways of England’s Northwest.

www.merseybasin.org.uk Cover Tony Wilson and Yvette Livesey (see page 14-17). Photograph by Len Grant. CONTENTS Anyone who is Features Regulars prepared to pull other people’s 10 KEEPING UP APPEARANCES 4 REGIONAL ROUND-UP litter from the With things looking up for the site of News on the environment, water and regeneration from chilly waters of Liverpool’s Garden Festival after 20 years of around the Northwest. their local river decline, Ben Willis uncovers the new ideas on in autumn so that we can all enjoy long term maintenance. 8 LOCAL ROUND-UP a countryside that is clean and The local perspective on the environment and pleasant is clearly worthy of our 14 CELEBRITY MAKEOVER regeneration. thanks. The surprise is that every Can designer Wayne Hemingway, music October for the last fourteen years, impresario Tony Wilson and his partner 18 SPOTLIGHT that’s exactly what hundreds of Yvette Livesey bring some celebrity magic PC Kath Juckes explains how the long arm of the people have indeed done. to Lancashire’s regeneration? law helped local people clean up Birch Green in They’ve been taking part in Skelmersdale. the MWH Mersey Basin Week, 20 PUBLIC BODIES the biggest week of water related From the Angel of the North to Another Place, 19 BUSINESS improvements and activities in Antony Gormley’s art is as popular with the Interview with Pete Petrondas, founder and managing the Northwest. public as it is with the critics. He talks to director of fast growing mobile phone recycler Eazyfone. The Mersey Basin Campaign, Matthew Sutcliffe about art and regeneration. which publishes this magazine, 26 RESEARCH has more reason than most to be 22 FLOCKING TO THE MERSEY New research is drawing attention to some of the grateful to the volunteers of the Often overlooked, the Mersey Estuary is an region’s forgotten rivers. Northwest. Without their help the internationally important wintering ground for Campaign simply could not operate birds, says the RSPB’s Tim Melling. 27 THE SHARP END That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Promoting sustainable water the way it does. Their desire to Comment: The next step in improving the River Mersey Unilever Dragonfly awards, recognising the use is one Unilever’s three improve their local environment is to move it, says Dr Keith Hendry. volunteers whose efforts are revitalising provides the enthusiasm and hands global sustainability initiatives, the rivers and watersides of the Northwest. on help our network of local alongside sustainable agriculture co-ordinators needs. Volunteers like Malcolm Bower of the Every year we try to do our and sustainable fishing. Macclesfield Canal Society, who for over bit in some small way to honour a decade has tended and improved the our volunteers by handing out the canal for the benefit of boaters and the local Unilever Dragonfl y awards, along community alike. with a cheque to fi nance further environmental improvements. It’s also why Unilever continues to support the The work of the region’s army of 14 20 22 Mersey Basin Campaign, which for 20 years volunteers often goes unsung, but if they weren’t there, we’d notice. Malcolm Bower, winner of a Unilever Dragonfly Award 2005, has played a crucial role in the transformation with members of the Macclesfield Canal Society. of the region’s watercourses. To say that they deserve our thanks and appreciation is not a new Subscriptions: Fouzia Bhatti, 0161 242 8200 Design: Hemisphere, Manchester observation, but it is one that’s [email protected] Print: Gyroscope, Manchester worth repeating. For more on these Contributors: Louise Tickle, David Ward, Ben Willis, Tim Melling SourceNW is published quarterly by the Mersey Basin Campaign. stories, see pages 8, 9 and 18. Photography: Len Grant, Don McPhee, Karen Wright, Steve Young The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Address: Mersey Basin Campaign, Fourways House, publishers. Comments, letters and corrections are welcomed and should be Matthew Sutcliffe, editor 57 Hilton Street, Manchester M1 2EJ addressed to the editor. SourceNW is printed on 100% post-consumer waste [email protected] Website: www.merseybasin.org.uk recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

SourceNW is sponsored by Mersey Basin Campaign corporate sponsors include

www.unilever.co.uk REGIONAL ROUND-UP REGIONAL ROUND-UP

Manchester Two hundred is my Planet year wait is over

Stars including actor Christopher Eccleston, athlete “We appear to be getting to the point where the Diane Modahl and Premiership footballers from Celebrities take climate change pledge as three The discovery of young salmon in the adult salmon can make it all the way to the breeding Manchester City, Manchester United and Wigan Athletic grounds at the headwaters of the river.” have joined a major environmental campaign aiming to million people are urged to make Manchester River Goyt marks a historic moment for the One of the main barriers to migration had been make Greater Manchester a leader in tackling thought to be the low water quality in the Manchester climate change. the ‘coolest’ city in the world. Northwest’s improving environment. Ship Canal, a stretch of which the fi sh must pass Campaigners are urging the three million people through. Although much better than in the past, water who live or work in Greater Manchester to take the leaving electrical appliances on standby, University, Defra and Manchester Salmon are breeding in the River think the public realise how big a deal this is. quality in the canal remains poor compared with much of ‘Manchester is my Planet’ pledge before a G8 climate turning down the thermostat by one degree, City Council. Other major supporters Mersey catchment for the fi rst It’s massive. It’s the fi rst time in hundreds of the rest of the Mersey system. change event in early November. Each individual will be and thinking twice about making a car journey include Manchester Enterprises, time in living memory, according to years we’ve seen baby salmon anywhere in the Whilst it is now clear that some salmon are making pledging to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in when they could walk, cycle or use public United Utilities, Manchester Museum ecologists from the Environment Mersey catchment.” it past the Ship Canal, they still face a diffi cult journey Greater Manchester by 20 per cent before 2010, transport. and ITV Granada, as well as Bolton, Agency (EA). Only 20 years ago the Mersey was so ahead – many of the Mersey’s tributaries are blocked to help the UK meet its international commitment on Backed by the support of local celebrities Salford and Manchester Metropolitan Environment Agency offi cers polluted that few fi sh could survive in it at all. by weirs that are impassable to migratory fi sh such as climate change. the campaign signed up over 4,000 people Universities. found three young salmon during Since then, however, organisations salmon and sea trout. The route up the Mersey to where According to a survey of greenhouse gas emissions within the fi rst four days via the internet, text Manchester is my Planet is fi sh surveys on the River Goyt, a including United Utilities, the Environment the young salmon were found is very unusual because it for the region, Greater Manchester is responsible message or by fi lling in pledge cards. aiming to gather 10,000 pledges tributary of the Mersey in Stockport Agency, the Manchester Ship Canal Company is not blocked by weirs. for 36 per cent of the carbon dioxide released in Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston said: before the November G8 summit, – proof that salmon are breeding and the Mersey Basin Campaign have worked According to Bill Darbyshire, one of the next big the Northwest, with the largest single source of “Coming from Salford I am very proud to and with over half that number now successfully. to bring about a remarkable transformation of challenges is it to build fi sh passes on these weirs. emissions – 23 per cent – coming from domestic be involved in the Manchester is my Planet signed up organisers say the target The discovery raises the the river. Without them, there will be no return to major salmon households. campaign. The fact that people in and around is likely to be surpassed. tantalising prospect of a return to “The three million people who live or work in Greater Manchester can now take real action against major salmon runs on the Mersey “I don’t think the public realise how big a deal this is. Manchester together have the power to make an climate change is an excellent way to show MORE INFORMATION – at least in the long term. important contribution to action on climate change in the rest of the country that here in the North Sign up to the pledge by visiting Environment Agency spokesman It’s massive.” runs. The problem is that fi sh passes can cost around the UK,” said environment minister Elliot Morley. we are leading on the important issues facing www.manchesterismyplanet.com, by texting Oliver Southgate said: “The River £100,000 and there is no direct government funding “In local neighbourhoods and in our homes, what us today.” the word ‘pledge’ and your postcode to Mersey has a fi shing history dating Jeff Lang, United Utilities’ chief operating available to pay for them. seem like small changes in behaviour will actually The campaign is being led by the not-for- 80010 or by fi lling in a pledge card, back as early as the twelfth century. offi cer for wastewater, said: “This is wonderful But as Bill Darbyshire says: “It’s now possible to make a huge difference. Government legislation and profi t agency, Manchester: Knowledge Capital, available from libraries, galleries, museums In the 1700s salmon and sea trout news and a real endorsement of our £1 billion imagine salmon on the Mersey and its tributaries. international treaties have their place, certainly, but with partners including regional think-tank and local authority offi ces. were so common in the Mersey that wastewater investment programme throughout Imagine – salmon in Manchester. You couldn’t have Greater Manchester is showing that it’s the people that Sustainability Northwest and the ten local the fi sh supplied markets as far the Mersey basin over the last fi fteen years.” thought that even ten years ago.” have the power to make a real and dramatic change.” authorities. It is being sponsored by the ABOVE MANCHESTER CITY AND ENGLAND away as London.” As Bill Darbyshire explained: “Salmon tend For comment on this story see page 27, People signing up to the pledge are Northwest Regional Development Agency, GOALKEEPER DAVID JAMES MAKES THE Bill Darbyshire, an environmental to like lovely clean rivers so it tells us that the “Moving the Mersey.” asked to make changes to their lifestyle such as not Manchester: Knowledge Capital, Manchester MANCHESTER IS MY PLANET PLEDGE manager at the EA, said: “I don’t water quality really is improving.”

Southport pier gets green tram. Holiday makers homes to a new development in what will be His fi rst speaking engagement will be at the to deliver in [the extended deadline of] 2027 because you Ban on fi sh movement relaxed. A ban on the movement of all SOUND BITES in Southport can now reach the end of the resort’s the biggest ever project in Runcorn Old Town. Mersey Basin Campaign’s annual conference will be in the European Court a lot earlier than that.” Full coarse fi sh in Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester has been 3,600 ft grade II listed pier, the second longest in the Urban Splash won a competition to work on 22nd November. story, Ends Report 367. relaxed, although experts still cannot explain the death of 350 carp New exhibition shows how to build a boat. A new gallery and country, aboard a new hi tech tram. The environmentally with Halton Borough Council to breathe 21st on the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey and Bridgewater Canals. interactive exhibition has opened at The Boat Museum in Ellesmere friendly electric tram, which is the only one of its kind in century life into the town. Europe warns UK to pick up pace on key Be wise with your water. A major new water The Environment Agency introduced the ban last summer to reduce Port showcasing how the wooden and metal narrowboats that worked the world, uses the latest battery technology and also Directive. The European Commission has conservation initiative has been launched by the UK the risk of disease spreading. It was lifted when no further deaths in the heyday of the canal era were made. The museum has the has a hydraulic ramp to allow disabled access. Estimates New CE joins The Mersey Partnership. delivered a stern reminder to the Environment water industry to highlight the pressing need for water were reported by early autumn. Infectious disease is thought to be the largest collection of historic inland waterway craft in Britain, including suggest the new tram could attract an extra 70,000 Dr Robert Crawford has taken over as chief Agency and the UK water industry not to effi ciency. The initiative, Waterwise, is funded jointly by most likely cause of the deaths. narrowboats, canal barges, river barges, canal and river tugs, visitors to the resort annually. It has been funded with executive of The Mersey Partnership, the give in to complacency on delivering the all the water companies in the country and run as an icebreakers and a coaster. A specially created computer-generated a quarter of a million pounds from Mersey Waterfront, organisation that promotes economic growth, far reaching Water Framework Directive. A independent organisation by the industry body, Water UK. Promenade wins Green Flag award. A Victorian promenade on the exhibit shows a fl at plan being transformed into a living vessel, alongside £45,000 from Sefton Council and a further investment and tourism in Merseyside. Dr swift rebuke followed comments by the chief “On average the UK has less water available per person River Mersey has become the fi rst in the country to win a Green Flag demonstrating in seconds what would have taken months for the £30,000 from The Pier Trust. Crawford has most recently been working executive of the Environment Agency Barbara than any other European country and water shortage is award, the coveted national standard for parks and green spaces boat builders of the 18th and 19th centuries to see. The new exhibit as an advisor to international development Young, which implied that the UK would fi nd it among the most serious medium term threats to quality across England and Wales. Victoria promenade is one of the coastal is part of a £1.6 million programme to revitalise the museum. Canal scheme to breathe life into old town. Runcorn initiatives in Kosovo and is a former chief hard to meet the Directive’s key water quality of life facing the country,” says Walter Menzies of the sites tended by the Halton Maintenance Team, a pilot scheme funded www.boatmuseum.org.uk is to be given a trendy canal quarter in a £65 million executive of Scottish Enterprise. He lists his deadline of 2015. Patrick Murphy, head of Mersey Basin Campaign, a board member of Waterwise. by the Mersey Waterfront programme. Councillor Phil Harris said, scheme by award winning regeneration company Urban hobbies as hill running and reading modern the water protection unit at the European More information: Waterwise 0207 344 1805 “We hope to carry on winning at least one more award each year until Splash. It will bring canalside cafe bars, restaurants and history, economics and political biography. Commission, scolded: “Do not start planning the majority of our parks and nature reserves are recognised.” 4 5 REGIONAL ROUND-UP AGENDA

September 24 - January 8 The Coast Exposed Exhibition of spectacular coastal landscapes featuring photographs of Formby in Merseyside and the coast of Lancashire. Pictures by Cleaning up on their act photographers from the famed Magnum agency are also on show and include shots of the recent fl ooding in Boscastle, puffi ns in the Environment Agency praises water company as pollution falls. Farne Islands and a traditional seaside day out in Wales. Venue: The Lowry, Salford Quays Contact: 0870 787 5794 Water companies have reduced their One new employee at the EA, Michael pollution incidents to the lowest Ainsworth, who spent time working at a October 25-26 Northern Way Conference 2005 level since 2001, the Environment United Utilities’ wastewater treatment plant in Exploring sustainable investment opportunities in the North for the Agency (EA) has announced in its Lancashire, said: “This course has given me a business and property sector through the government’s Northern annual Spotlight on Business report couple of years worth of experience in a week. Way initiative. Bringing together leaders from businesses already in for 2004. I’ve learned things I would never come across the North and those looking to move, government representatives, Overall, there was a 29 per in my day to day role.” regeneration agencies and local authorities. Venue: De Veres cent drop in the number of serious As United Utilities’ compliance relations Whites Hotel, Bolton Contact: Will Kendrick 0208 267 4454 Irwell River Walk Learning from the best in class pollution incidents last year, and two manager Joanne Startin explained: “When water companies, Wessex Water and someone comes onto site as an EA offi cer November 13-16 10th European Biosolids and Biowastes proposed for Salford RENEW Northwest, the Northwest’s three-metre square ‘Cave’ South West Water, managed to stay they don’t always appreciate the pressures our Conference – A decade of change Regeneration Centre of Excellence, is aiming to which contained an interactive squeaky clean for the entire twelve operational staff are under.” The Annual European Biosolids and Biowastes conference is the It might defy the usual stereotype of the place, raise the quality of regeneration practice in the human-scale virtual reality model, month period. Ten more staff from the EA are due to leading conference in Europe covering these important subjects. but 60 per cent of Salford consists of green open region through a series of masterclasses. and with stereoscopic glasses and The Northwest’s regional water experience life at United Utilities later this It draws professionals from around the world who come together spaces and the city has 30 miles of rivers and canals. Building on existing good practice and a head-tracker, were able to ‘move’ company United Utilities had just a year. Secondments have also happened in the to update each other on science, engineering and operational A proposed new walkway along the River Irwell aims featuring speakers who are experts in their through the model testing out how single Category 1 Serious Pollution opposite direction, giving workers at the practices. Venue: Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefi eld to link the water and green spaces, making more of chosen fi elds, the masterclasses are half-day the planned ‘environment’ would Incident all year, the same as in water company an insight into the Contact: Krista Braithwaite 0113 242 2400 both assets and offering visitors and residents the events, sometimes with an optional site visit feel and look. 2003, and also managed to reduce Environment Agency. chance to enjoy them on foot or by bike. The proposal or tour in the afternoon. The idea is to bring The masterclass covered its Category 2 incidents by four. If the scheme continues to be successful November 22 Mersey Basin Campaign Annual Conference is part of a draft vision published by the Central together professionals from a wide spectrum issues including technology and The improvement is largely the goal is to take it to water industry body The Campaign’s annual conference this year asks how we transform Salford Urban Regeneration Company that aims to of disciplines within the world of regeneration terminology, cost planning for virtual due to millions of pounds worth of Water UK with a view to rolling it out across the idea of sustainable businesses and communities from rhetoric show how Salford can become “the most beautiful so that stronger links can be made, knowledge reality modelling, situations when investment by United Utilities, but the country. to reality? Speakers include Jonathon Porritt CBE, chair of the UK part of Greater Manchester.” shared and new possibilities for partnership such an investment might the EA has also praised the water Despite the improved relations between Sustainable Development Commission, along with leading fi gures working discussed. be appropriate and how to get company for helping to develop the EA and United Utilities, it wasn’t all good from the Northwest and a contribution from a government minister. Masterclasses held so far include sessions best value for money. Time was closer ties between the news in the Spotlight report. Venue: Liverpool Marriott City Centre Hotel Contact: Fouzia Bhatti on the contribution of the creative industries also spent looking at what two organisations. Across the country, nine of the ten big 0161 242 8200 Email: [email protected] A bridge too far to regeneration, the lessons from DPM Award resources are available free on the This has happened in several water companies found themselves in the winner Grange Park Community Project in internet, including Google maps ways, including secondments dock, with accumulated fi nes ranging from November 23 Water Framework Directive and its impact on the The news that a decision on the proposed new Mersey Blackpool, and the use of virtual reality through Google Earth (www.earth. at managerial level and the joint £5,000 (Severn Trent Water) to £132,500 water freight industry Gateway bridge has again been delayed by roads technology in regeneration. google.com). development of a training package (Thames Water). A half-day seminar to examine what the EU Water Framework minister Stephen Ladyman has drawn angry responses This last masterclass was a revelation for Future masterclasses include for new starters. It is credited for United Utilities was prosecuted nine times Directive means for the water freight industry. The Water Framework from its supporters. many of the delegates involved. At a session Heritage-based Regeneration: a deeper understanding of the in all and fi ned £42,200 for non-compliance Directive is the most substantial and wide ranging piece of water Councillor Tony McDermott, leader of Halton at the University of Salford’s Centre for Virtual Longlands Mill, in December; pressures and constraints under with legislation on water pollution. legislation to originate from Brussels. What will be its impact on Council, expressed his bitter disappointment in no Environments, manager Karen Padmore Enterprise and Regeneration in which each organisation operates. ports, carriers and the environment? This seminar is essential for uncertain terms. “We have provided everything the civil demonstrated different ways of capturing January; and Valuing Nature in those who want to further their understanding of a major piece servants have asked of us,” he said. data and the process by which this could be Regeneration in February. Sessions of European legislation. Venue: Manchester Conference Centre “It is frustrating for Halton and Merseyside transformed into 3-D experiential models. are free, and further information is Bridgewater project gets under way Contact: Carlotta Nelson 0207 928 9090 residents that a decision will not now be taken until Delegates had the chance to step into a available at www.renew.co.uk. early 2006.” Transport Minister Derek Twigg has canal towpath are being encouraged, such December 2 Planning and Water: an ENMaR seminar The new bridge would provide a crucial new link user across the Northwest and beyond.” offi cially opened the fi rst section as cycling, while a new surface allows easier An opportunity for planners to look at the benefi ts of the EU Water between Halton and Liverpool. Supporters argue At a cost of £335 million, the new crossing of The Bridgewater Way, the project access for wheelchairs and prams. Visitor Framework Directive, focusing on improved tourism. This is the that it is critical to the continued growth of would attract an estimated 80 per cent of to revitalise waterside areas information points, improved lighting and latest in a series of seminars for Northwest planners under the Liverpool and the surrounding area and is an issue traffi c from the existing Silver Jubilee bridge, along all 65 km of the historic public art is also being installed, making the ENMaR banner, an international project drawing in partners in fi ve of national signifi cance. which would then be reduced to two lanes, Bridgewater Canal. area safer and more attractive. European countries. Venue: Manchester Contact: Caroline Riley Mr Ladyman acknowledged that great strides have with priority given to pedestrians and cyclists. The fi rst phase of the The project is being pioneered by the 0161 242 8206 [email protected] been made in answering his department’s questions And as the only other bridge for twenty Bridgewater Way starts at Waterloo owner of the Bridgewater Canal, Peel Holdings, about the bridge. Nevertheless, he has again asked for miles will soon be severely restricted due Bridge in Runcorn Old Town and runs on behalf of the Bridgewater Canal Trust. January 25, 2006 Voice 06 – Social Enterprise Conference more detailed information, and will only make his fi nal to necessary repair work, the start date to Bates Bridge. New uses for the It also part of the nationwide Transport Links The conference will examine and tackle the issues facing social decision in January 2006 at the earliest. for building the Mersey Gateway is to Schools Programme, run by Sustrans and enterprises, highlight how social enterprises are at the cutting edge Commenting acerbically on the minister’s becoming urgent. the Department for Transport to connect of market making and changing, and showcase the diversity of the response, Roy Morris, chair of the Mersey Partnership, The team behind the new bridge say schools, colleges and communities to the sector. Venue: Manchester International Conference Centre said: “The government has dealt Merseyside another that despite this latest setback they are 10,000 miles of the National Cycle Network. Contact: www.socialenterprise.org.uk major blow. determined to press ahead and work is Supporters include the Northwest Regional “The continued delays and seeming inability to already well under way to complete the further Development Agency, Halton Borough Council reach a decision are deeply worrying for every road detailed studies requested by Mr Ladyman. and the Mersey Basin Campaign. 6 7 LOCAL ROUND-UP LOCAL ROUND-UP

Voluntary contributions Too often taken for granted, the efforts of environmental volunteers around the Northwest are highlighted in this year’s Unilever Dragonfl y Awards. PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: SAILING REGATTA; When Charles Hamilton began volunteering at Etherow Atherton won fi rst place in the Young People’s TREE THINNING AT RISLEY MOSS; Country Park in the 1960s, environmental issues were category for its environmental education inside WATERSKIING ON THE RIVER decidedly not high on the national agenda. But it is only the classroom and beyond. WEAVER; FISHING COMPETITION through his tireless efforts, and those of exceptionally In April 2003 the school decided to dedicated people like him, that environmental concerns establish an Eco committee and work towards are now a pressing priority across the globe. the Eco Schools’ Green Flag Status, which it Mr Hamilton is the overall winner of this year’s earned in June 2004. Unilever Dragonfl y Awards. The impact of his 35 years Pupils have been encouraged to ‘adopt as a committed volunteer is clear to Kelly Horrocks, a a local street’ and help to keep it clean and countryside ranger at Etherow Country Park and Local tidy through regular litter-picks. Meanwhile the Nature Reserve. school Eco mascot, Eartha, is handed from “He’s done virtually everything – from practical class to class to prompt children to come up Saving the environment with a smile outdoor work to being an educational adviser, tour guide with green ideas relating to their schoolwork. and a trustee,” she says. Linda Owen, deputy head and Eco “He was also instrumental in creating our local co-ordinator at St Philip’s, says that the This year’s MWH Mersey Basin Week encouraged people to rediscover and nature reserve, the fi rst one in the country to receive school’s involvement with Eco Schools has this designation. When he retired from work he took made pupils more aware of environmental enjoy their local environment, as our round up of the highlights shows. on the role of volunteer manager at the reserve, and issues and helped to develop teamwork. so with loppers – I always think it’s a started a regular Saturday morning work group. Some “We’ve experienced lots of fun and nice Sunday morning’s activity.” MWH Mersey Basin Week (MBW) activities that took place across the Northwest sightings, as pupils pointed out ‘sharks’ in the water and of the people taking part in this had learning disabilities enjoyment, plus a genuine sense of The fi nal Dragonfl y winner, opened and closed with a bang during the week. excitedly explored the boat above and below decks. and Charles supported them to get their Duke of achievement and satisfaction. We take pride in the Group Award category, is this year – or should that be a Sandra Whittaker, teacher at Westwood It wasn’t only children getting out into the Edinburgh awards. in our surroundings and realise that we all the Friends of Gorse Hall, a voluntary splash – as water sports enthusiasts Park Primary School, said: “We hope to countryside. Warrington MP Helen Jones joined 35 “Even after he retired from that role in 2002, he’s have an important part to play in caring for the group that leases and manages showed the high adrenaline way to increase environmental activities within the employee volunteers from Mersey Basin Campaign been active at Etherow, managing a volunteer group on environment. Your award acknowledges our a 20 hectare site of park and enjoy our cleaner environment. school and CYCLER the Rapping Robot is partners United Utilities, Brunner Mond, Unilever, British Wednesdays and going into local schools and community achievements – and we’re thrilled!” woodland in Stalybridge. Working There was water skiing and wake a great way of engaging the children and Waterways and Mersey Basin Week sponsor MVH at centres to give talks about the river valley.” Caring about the local environment can in partnership with the local boarding on the River Weaver in teaching them about the importance of Risley Moss as they cleared the site of shrubs and trees. lead to a lifetime’s passion for certain of its community and schools, the Cheshire to open the week of over environmental problems such as waste.” With its peaty soil creating a rare mossland habitat, charms. For Malcolm Bower, winner of the Friends of Gorse Hall have laid 2 km 300 water and environment themed At the Mersey Basin Campaign, Gemma Chris Purvis, area ranger of the nature reserve explained Individual award, canals are the thing. of new footpaths, completed events and activities. Meanwhile Tomlinson agreed. “Innovative and entertaining why the vegetation, perhaps surprisingly, had to go. As secretary of the Macclesfi eld Canal a pond project, restored meadows, the week’s closing celebrations saw ideas like CYCLER are important because if we “Mossland is a traditional habitat in the Warrington Society for the past 12 years, Mr Bower planted native tree species and horsepower swapped for wind power try to preach the environmental message to area and Risley Moss is a Site of Special Scientifi c has taken part in many towpath litter-picks undertaken rhododendron and scrub at a sailing regatta at Pilkington children it just turns them off.” Interest. The moss is in the early stages of re-wetting and water clean-up schemes, but is management. Sailing Club near St Helens. Fun was also the focus of a day out on the and at this key stage of re-establishing itself it’s endearingly modest about his achievements Activities also took an unusually Bridgewater Canal for the children of Alderman important to protect it. If we left the trees in place they in helping people understand and enjoy musical turn this year as a very Kay Special School. A converted narrowboat would dry the area out and it would turn into woodland.” these historic waterways. PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: special environmental champion took took 23 children along the Canal from With only two rangers on the site on a day-to-day “I fi nd it fascinating that though they’re so CHARLES HAMILTON WITH BEV MITCHELL his eco-message into schools Castlefi eld and over the Barton Aqueduct to basis, he explained that it is physically impossible to old, canals are still with us in our daily lives. OF THE MERSEY BASIN CAMPAIGN; PUPILS in Eccles. Worsley, showing them the industrial heritage manage the shrubs effectively. “These volunteers,” Until 50 to 60 years ago they were in regular OF ST PHILIIPS SCHOOL; A FRIEND OF GORSE CYCLER the Rapping Robot of the waterway stretching outwards from the he declared enthusiastically, “are a smashing help!” commercial use, and now people enjoy them HALL; MALCOLM BOWER OF MACCLESFIELD put on an all singing, all dancing city centre to the suburbs. The shrub and tree clearing effort was one of the for leisure,” he explains. CANAL SOCIETY performance to explain about the With many of the children never having biggest MBW activities, and even the big-wigs rolled “Families like to get involved. We help three R’s – not reading, writing and been on a boat before, the Bridgewater their sleeves up and got stuck in. Mark Turner, the British Waterways to clear vegetation along the ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PAGES 8 & 9 ‘rithmatic, but reducing, reusing and Heritage Boat Company, who hosted the trip Mersey Basin Campaign’s deputy chief executive got towpath. We’ll go along in a party of up to 12 or BY KAREN WRIGHT recycling waste. Tackling our growing as part of MBW, had to explain some unusual busy – not to mention muddy – at the Risley Moss event, piles of rubbish will be crucial in the and said: “MWH Mersey Basin Week is all about getting The awards are organised by the Mersey years to come if we are not to dig people to appreciate their local environment. Basin Campaign to recognise the Northwest’s top ever bigger holes in the ground “The good news is that our environment in the environmental volunteers. Winners receive a trophy and for landfi ll. Northwest is steadily improving – our rivers and streams, a cash prize to help fund their project. With almost 60 MORE INFORMATION Rapping his way through for example, are cleaner than they have been since the nominations received, competition in 2005 was tougher Bev Mitchell Barton Moss Community Primary end of the Industrial Revolution.” than ever. 0161 242 8212 School, CYCLER then travelled on From a single winner to a whole school bursting b.mitchell@ to Westwood Park Primary School MORE INFORMATION with eco-champions: St. Philip’s CE Primary School in merseybasin.org.uk as part of a slew of environmental Bev Mitchell 0161 242 8200 [email protected] 8 9 Can Liverpool’s once glorious Garden Festival site emerge from beneath the weeds with the help of new plans for long term maintenance?

Words Ben Willis Photographs courtesy of Mersey Waterfront, Halton BC, Land Restoration Trust, Haycock Associates KEEPING UP APPEARANCES In the summer of 1984 over three million people fl ocked there is at last real optimism that the development to Liverpool to witness the city in full bloom. This wasn’t will proceed. The news is rekindling the memory of the the kind of attention it was used to. Only three years garden festival, but 20 years of decline will not easily earlier it had achieved international notoriety as one of be forgotten. a number of UK cities hit by racial rioting. But, largely Although the Merseyside Development Corporation in response to the 1981 riots, the then environment put around £40 million into the garden festival, in the secretary Michael Heseltine had chosen Liverpool to process transforming over 100 acres of landfi ll and host the UK’s fi rst garden festival, and the crowds came derelict land, what came next was less successful. in their droves. At the time the long term plan for the site had been Now, just over 20 years on, the once glorious site to use part of it for leisure and recreational purposes PICTURES: lies almost in ruins. The only things that grow in the and the other part for housing. The housing element THE GARDEN FESTIVAL main pavilion are weeds and piles of rubbish. Apart did eventually materialise in 1986 when 600 homes SITE TODAY from a few surviving features, much of the rest of the were built on a portion of the site, but other ventures once manicured landscape is now heavily degraded. hit the rocks. A crude perimeter fence ensures most people stay away, In the early 1990s, one company tried to turn part of but it is not enough to keep out the fl y-tippers the site into a theme park, but this fell fl at after failing to and motorcyclists. make any money. Then in 1998 Wiggins, a development So what went wrong? “The garden festival was a consortium, bought the site but gave it up last year phenomenal effort and attracted a lot of people, but following a string of unsuccessful planning applications. the next bit was a disaster,” says Walter Menzies, chief Liverpool’s garden festival site, it seems, fell victim executive of the Mersey Basin Campaign. “No-one had to the same affl iction that has affected numerous really worked through a convincing post-festival plan for other regeneration schemes around the Northwest and, the site, so it’s been festering ever since.” indeed, the country. This autumn a masterplan for an urban village on the site was unveiled by its new owner, Langtree McClean, and despite a catalogue of false starts over the years [CONTINUED OVER] 10 11 PHOTOGRAPH BELOW: PHOTOGRAPH BELOW: SITE OF SPEKE GARSTON COASTAL RESERVE THE MERSEY WATERFRONT ESTATE TEAM, HALTON

It goes something like this: thousands, more often through the Halton pilot is that good manage derelict land. Under a deal The trust is just one method “It’s a win-win situation, because we’re a As public funding sources continue to millions of pounds of public money are poured into management is about more than just making struck with the trust, the developers by which a long-term source of vehicle they could use to meet their corporate be squeezed, the likelihood is that long term the capital costs of a regeneration project – land a place pretty; it can have a fundamental will undertake the restoration of the revenue funding can be generated. green targets. We hope this formula will be management and maintenance will increasingly come to reclamation work, building, landscaping. But inadequate impact on people’s lives.” site’s open space and also crucially Another concept that is rapidly a success and therefore a benefit to others rely on innovative techniques such as those being tried planning and limited sources of finance for long term In attempting to find new ways of funding pay the trust a lump sum, or dowry, gaining currency is that of a over time.” in Sinderland Brook, Halton and elsewhere. management conspire to undermine those early good and organising long term maintenance of to fund its long term management. management company. Elsewhere, other methods are being “These kind of things will be key in the future,” intentions, and decline once again sets in. public open space, the Halton pilot is not The trust will invest this money and This model is being put to good employed that attempt to tackle the believes the LRT’s Euan Hall. “As long as they can “It’s easy to get hold of capital, but revenue funding alone. Across the Northwest a number of new use the interest generated to provide use on the Speke and Garston maintenance issue by minimising the overall change their budgets annually, local authorities will is much harder to secure,” says Alexandra Rook, a mechanisms are emerging that offer possible a sustainable source of revenue Coastal Reserve, a formerly need for it. Sinderland Brook is a stretch of always be looking to find money from somewhere. And principal consultant for the Civic Trust. This is partly solutions to the management challenge. funding for the site. derelict site currently undergoing river running through the National Trust’s unfortunately one of the first things that gets targeted is because local authority budgets are so stretched that Happily, given its recent past, one such “Money spent on this site in the transformation into a nature reserve. Dunham Massey estate in Cheshire that has open space and parks budgets.” they are often unable to take on the long term running initiative is being developed to rescue – past had a short term benefit but To ensure this transformation is recently been restored to complement a new of sites, Rook explains. “Parks and open spaces are hopefully once and for all – Liverpool’s garden nothing has been carried forward,” sustained, says Louise Morrissey, housing development on an adjacent site. MORE INFORMATION seen as local authority responsibilities, but they’re not a festival site. Last year, after the Wiggins says Euan Hall, the trust’s chief head of land and planning at the Rather than try to artificially steer Louise Hopkins [email protected] 0151 237 3907 statutory service so their budgets get pushed into high consortium pulled out, developer Langtree executive. “The advantage of the reserve’s landowner Peel Holdings, the course of the river away from the Ian Lifford [email protected] 01928 583 919 cost areas like social services and education.” and house builder David McLean formed a dowry is that it will provide secure a management company is being housing development or create large Another factor, says Mersey Waterfront director partnership to buy the site. money to manage the site. We invest created that will lease the site man-made flood defences, the restoration Ben Willis is a freelance journalist specialising in Louise Hopkins, is that public funding bodies have To protect the site’s large swathe of open capital from the private sector and from Peel and assume responsibility deliberately sought to create a wide flood regeneration and sustainability. traditionally underplayed the proportion of their space for the future, Langree McClean have hive off the interest, so unlike with for its maintenance and further plain that would allow the river to meander regeneration grants that goes towards the revenue costs engaged the services of the Land Restoration the public sector where budget development. The company will naturally and follow its own course. The of a scheme – the expenses incurred through long term Trust (LRT), a partnership of government priorities move from thing to thing, be formed of two main partners – advantage of this approach, says Nick 60-second expert management and maintenance. This is in spite of some agencies set up two years ago to reclaim and this cash is guaranteed for the site.” Peel and the Mersey Basin Haycock, director of the environmental funding sources, particularly Europe’s Objective One pot, coming only on condition that schemes they finance “The festival was a phenomenal effort and attracted a lot of people, but the next bit was a disaster.” • To get started, a regeneration scheme needs are maintained to the same standard achieved upon capital funding to pay for things such as land completion for at least ten years. Campaign – who will pay an annual consultancy Haycock Associates that worked remediation and building work, but equally “Roughly ten per cent of the capital costs of a sum into a central maintenance pot. on the scheme, is that it minimised the need important is revenue funding to maintain the scheme can be set aside for maintenance,” Hopkins “The principle is shared care,” for extensive engineering work to ‘lock in’ project over the long term. says. “But if your project is worth say one million, that says Morrissey. “We will spend a the course of the river, all of which carries means only £100,000 can go towards maintenance, certain amount of the maintenance considerable costs both in the short and • Sometimes as little as ten per cent of a scheme’s which over ten years is not a lot.” fund each year, but the idea is that long term. budget will be spent on revenue funding, leading Mersey Waterfront is a co-funder of Halton Borough there will always be some left in “When you rely heavily on engineering, quickly to neglect and decay. Council’s waterfront estate team (see box). Through case of emergencies.” you end up with a lot of capital assets this pilot project, Hopkins says, the partners are trying The company is also hoping to in place, in the form of expensive geo- • The problem is compounded when inadequate to show how a well-managed public area can have raise further funds by attracting technological measures to keep the river plans are made for a project’s legacy, such as in the beneficial impacts on anything from crime to health. sponsorship from the numerous bank in place,” he explains. “These case of Liverpool’s garden festival site, which has “Funding bodies need to recognise that more of companies based in the Speke and can degrade within 15 to 20 years with lain derelict for 20 years. their grants should be going towards revenue costs,” Garston area. “Companies would catastrophic effects. By allowing the river she says. “But the benefits of long term maintenance pay a certain amount into the pot to erode and move naturally at Sinderland, • Limited sources of public revenue funding have are hard to measure, and therein lies the problem in exchange for a certain amount of and not relying on a lot of subtle engineering prompted the advent of innovative techniques to because it means there’s a reluctance to put in the profile for being involved and being techniques, we have probably halved the pay for long term management, such as dowries and extra resource. What we’re hoping to demonstrate our sponsor,” says Morrissey. costs of long term maintenance.” management companies.

Case study: prosperity. One of the main concerns is dedicated to managing and We find that if things are left, they the Civic Trust’s Green Flags, awarded to high therefore how the regional park will be maintaining the five main waterside decay further.” quality open spaces. So far, one of its sites, Mersey Waterfront Estate Team, maintained. sites in the authority’s area. Apart from the day-to-day Victoria Promenade in Widnes, has been “When Mersey Waterfront came about, Martin Grimes is the team’s maintenance, the team also works successful in this ambition. Halton we realised that if we were serious about this, leader. A typical week for the team, with the council’s rangers and The challenge now, says Ian Lifford, will we would need to present a first class, quality he says, involves regular site visits countryside managers on overall be to secure a future source of funding for The Mersey Waterfront regional park is an ambitious product,” says Ian Lifford, head of landscape and routine maintenance work, such development of the sites. “Because the initiative, which at the moment relies project to revitalise 135 km of coastline stretching from services at Halton Borough Council, one of the as fencing, mowing and cleaning up we see the sites every day we’re on money from Mersey Waterfront and the the Wirral to Southport by creating a chain of open authorities involved in creating the park. any litter or graffiti. much more intimate with them, so council’s neighbourhood renewal budget. spaces and nature reserves along the Mersey, Dee and “It was clear that on a lot of the sites there “Basically, we’re trying to raise we’re able to offer advice on things “However it’s funded, this has got to be Ribble rivers. was a great deal of room for improvement.” standards so people will immediately like planting that add to their overall the way forward,” says Lifford. “If we didn’t Apart from improving the general quality of life In partnership with Mersey Waterfront, see a good quality site that is clean, conservation or amenity value,” have this our sites would decline and go for people living in the area, another of the scheme’s Halton Council has been instrumental in safe and well maintained,” Grimes Grimes says. back to what they were. Hopefully what we’re priorities is to create a visitor and tourist attraction setting up a pilot project known as the says. “We visit sites daily so we fix In its two to three year lifetime, demonstrating through this is that quality is that will contribute to Merseyside’s overall economic Waterfront Estate Team, a group of individuals anything needing it straight away. the team is hoping to win four of a real priority.”

12 13 CELEBRITY MAKEOVERS

Two new reports try to sprinkle a little stardust over the Lancashire hills.

Words David Ward Photographs Len Grant and Don McPhee

Not long ago, The Times carried a feature on doorstops. One was the work of international designer Philippe Starck and very nice it was too. But it cost £150. If Starck can charge that for a simple device for keeping a door open, how much would he ask for an exclusive shed on an allotment in Accrington? Questions of price were far from the minds of Anthony Wilson, the man behind Factory all these crappy, run-down, brown, wooden sheds and I records and the Haçienda, and his partner suddenly realised: ‘Are you going to want to hang out in Yvette Livesey when they were commissioned an allotment like this?’” to do some blue-sky thinking about the future That’s where Starck made his appearance among of east Lancashire. the broccoli and the runner beans. “British Steel,’’ As they prepared their report, they toured mused Livesey and Wilson in their report, “might well be “Bringing in a celebrity does get people talking, whether positively or negatively.’’

the region, sometimes thinking not just interested in designing a steel frame and do colourful what had not been thought before but also powder coating; maybe a domed roof, not a hipped roof. the unthinkable. And sometimes the utterly Designed by Philippe Starck maybe...” heretical. This idea was not greeted with delirious enthusiasm “I have been trying to encourage on Baxenden Ley allotments, 1000ft up near the Alma allotments,’’ Ms Livesey told the Guardian. pub on the southern approach to Accrington. “But, driving through Accrington [home town of both Ms Livesey and Holland’s Pies], I saw [CONTINUED OVER]

14 15 MORE INFORMATION www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk wwww.skelmersdale-vision.co.uk

60-second expert

• Anthony Wilson, the man behind Factory “I don’t hold with that in any shape or form,’’ said Brian records and the Hacienda, and his partner Yvette Watts, 40 years an allotment holder and chairman of the Livesey were commissioned to do some blue-sky Baxenden plots. thinking about the future of East Lancashire. The blue-sky duo did not stop at chic sheds. They also suggested, in a list they call “a series of • Their report, Dreaming of Pennine Lancashire, consummations devoutly to be wished”, a fashion contains a wish list of ideas including allotment tower, a curry mile on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool sheds designed by Philippe Starck, a fashion tower Canal and a football theme park. And they also want But with Livesey and Wilson, it’s the ideas that in Burnley, a curry mile on the banks of the Leeds- to embrace Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, are judged by councillors and corporations, allotment Liverpool Canal and a football theme park. Pendle and Rossendale within the generic name holders and newspaper readers. Gladys Robinson, Pennine Lancashire. from Great Harwood, was not at all happy about the • Predictably, reactions to the report have been While Livesey and Wilson have been causing sharp Pennine Lancashire label. “East Lancashire is a good, mixed, but arguably that is partly the point – to get intakes of breath with ideas that are certainly original if solid sensible name,’’ she wrote in an indignant letter to people thinking in new ways about East Lancashire. not obviously practical, another designer couple have the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. “Who wants a posh had the builders in. name? The people who live in East Lancashire are not • Meanwhile, the West Lancashire town of Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, founders of the posh. They are good, intelligent, hard-working citizens and Wilson were brought in: they asked the questions without having to supply ABOVE: PENNINE LANCASHIRE Skelmersdale has also had the celebrity makeover fashion label Red or Dead, have joined with developers and like the name East Lancashire.” detailed answers. WOULD HAVE TRENDY NEW treatment, this time by Red or Dead designer to carve 90 apartments from the Birchin, a 70-year-old But Roger Frost, mayor of Burnley and chairman of “The trouble with economics is that you tend to project what you know rather ALLOTMENT SHEDS Wayne Hemingway and his wife Gerardine. office block next to Manchester’s Affleck’s Palace, the the town’s civic society, said many people seemed to than what could be,’’ added Mike Damms. “In other words, if manufacturing in your emporium where they launched their fashion empire. like the proposed new name for the region and added area has declined for 20 years, the projection will be that the future will be continuing • The Hemingways take a more hands on They have already worked with Wimpey to produce new that the report had certainly set people in councils, manufacturing decline. approach to regeneration. Wayne Hemingway homes in Gateshead and now have a few ideas about commerce, industry and education arguing and “There are plenty of people championing manufacturing, plenty of people launched into the development business by writing restoring the original vision for Skelmersdale. discussing. Personally, he was a little wary about the championing how we invest public funds. There are not many people asking: angry articles on the “Wimpeyfication” of Britain. So are the trendies taking over from earnest local fashion tower, fearing it was a throwback to the town’s What does East Lancashire stand for? What would attract people to an area which council planners and regional regenerators? Not quite. textile past, which is rapidly becoming only a memory. is a nice place in which to live, work and play?” • That led to an offer to work with Wimpey to But they can attract attention. And that’s the point. “The report has both its supporters and detractors,’’ After their very successful time in the rag trade, the Hemingways have moved on produce new homes in Gateshead – one of which “Having a familiar name helps, which is a shame he said. “A number of people like the ideas. Others think to consider similar questions. “When we had Red or Dead, we were never satisfied the couple now live in – and they have designed the for those people out there whose ideas are as good as they are just a lot of Tony Wilson and are not too keen. that we were just a fashion company,’’ said Wayne. “We were quite political too and BELOW: WAYNE HEMINGWAY apartments in the Birchin redevelopment in central or better than ours,’’ said Hemingway, who is not just But he has latched on to the issues we are talking about this is just an extension of that. Gerardine and I realised that fashion didn’t rock our IN ONE OF THE APARTMENTS Manchester. a rag-trade man: he has a degree in geography and in the area. He has made us think about how we see boat that much, that we couldn’t achieve much through a blouse and a frock. HE HELPED DESIGN town planning. He launched himself into the development business by writing angry articles about the “Wimpeyfication” of “Are the trendies taking over from earnest local council planners and regional Britain. Wimpey then invited him to talk and the result is his Gateshead housing scheme, real bricks on real regenerators? Not quite. But they can attract attention.” ground. The Hemingways are so pleased with the homes that they have bought one themselves. ourselves, about our heritage and what our future “There were lots of things that annoyed us that we thought could be bettter. Livesey and Wilson did not have to worry very much should be.’’ One of those was housing and the liveability of environments. about practicalities and costings, brick colours and roof Baxenden’s allotment holders, who collectively Anyone can have ideas on how to live. It depends on what position you have lines. That was not their job; they were imported to the represent the diversity of humanity and the way it whether you can put those ideas into practice. When you are in the public eye, you Lancashire mill towns to set hares running. “Bringing in organises its vegetable patches, are happy to do some have access to be able to do things.” a celebrity does get people talking, whether positively thinking but will not be easily convinced about chic One thing was not just to develop the Birchin but also to make sure that some or negatively,’’ suggested Mike Damms, chief executive shacks and stylish uniformity. Their existing sheds of the apartments, with prices starting at £80,000, would be made available to key of East Lancashire chamber of commerce. “It has a are made from anything that comes to hand – old workers and first time buyers. catalytic effect and the outside world takes more notice. windows, old doors, old timber. “We are recyclers of the “Because we were reasonably well known as designers, people thought they could “The Livesey-Wilson report was part of our collective first order,’’ boasted Frank McVan, allotments society link up with us and gain some economic advantage,’’ added Hemingway. “That has review of the area. Of course some of it is a bit silly. But treasurer and, with his wife Sheila, grower of amazing ensured that the projects we are doing reach fruition, that we can make money for sometimes you need to look at things rather differently. dahlias and chrysanthemums. “We were recycling before people and ourselves. That gives companies like Wimpey confidence. The report has caused a proper debate about what anyone thought of it. Much of the pleasure you get from “People look at our development in Gateshead and say it’s not that special. But should be the values, almost what the brand should be, an allotment is making do and mending. You spend as we say that if it has gone two per cent in the right direction, we’ll be singing and of east Lancashire over the next 10-15 years.’’ little as possible and you get the benefit.” dancing in the streets. We have met housebuilders on their terms and worked with The Hemingways are already being judged by “I’m happy with the way things are,’’ added Brian them to inch their way forward. We realise they have to make money.” those who live in, or are thinking about living in, the Watts. “You could call it an organised muddle. Everyone A fashion designer might call that cutting your coat according to your cloth. homes they have designed. You can wander round does his or her own thing. That’s the way it is.” the bijou show apartment at the Birchin and think the Pennine Lancashire (or whatever you want to call it) kitchen/diner/sitting room is a pretty efficient use of has to preserve its sturdy individuality while considering David Ward is the Guardian’s highly-respected Northern correspondent. space even if you can’t stand the stripey wallpaper. big questions about its destiny. Which is why Livesey He has worked for the paper in Manchester for almost 30 years.

16 17 SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS Words & photograph Matthew Sutcliffe Words Joanne Birtwistle

Who you gonna call? Eazyfone entrepreneur PC Kath Juckes and the The Northwest businessman who Birch Green Dirt Busters is turning old mobile phones into profits.

How does one person’s desire to bring a little nature As Kath Juckes explains: “I volunteered for of work all told, which I mean is Pete Petrondas is a natural born Many an entrepreneur would have packed value from old phones, it also helps to divert them from back into her life end up with the police, fire brigade, the estate management team with John and absolutely phenomenal.” entrepreneur. Fresh out of college it all in at that stage. Instead, Petrondas landfill, which reduces pollution, and it provides a low local businesses, council workers and volunteers Maureen and they roped me in to help clean Having the clough looking better aged 18 he set up his first company; decided to remodel the business and give cost communication solution for areas that have poor removing three hundred tons of litter and debris from a up the clough.” seemed to get people thinking. Says making letterheads and business it a second chance: “We started to realise landline infrastructures, such as Africa. small stream in Lancashire? Years of fly-tipping had covered the clough Kath: “People were out washing the cards. “But I wasn’t making enough that when customers upgraded they’d have Explains Petrondas: “It’s usually not cost effective John and Maureen Fleet live in the Birch Green area under a huge pile of rubbish. “On top of the fronts of their houses and wiping the money,” says Petrondas of the redundant or surplus mobile phones sat in a for the government in these countries to start building of Skelmersdale. Theirs is the fifth house from the end silt and natural debris there were stolen motor windows, and you don’t see that very small print business that is still in drawer. That’s when I had the idea that there more landlines and transmitters. Mobile technology in long row of identical homes built in the 1960s, when bikes, couches, mattresses, fridges, beds and often – and it’s continued.” existence today. were all these phones with some value being is very fast growth as it’s much cheaper for the planners across the country were experimenting with shopping trolleys – you name it, we had it,” The changes didn’t go unnoticed. To supplement his income left in cupboards throughout the country.” governments to build mobile infrastructure.” ‘new towns’. says Kath. “It put Birch Green on the map quite Petrondas got a job at The Mobile On average, UK consumers update their Of course, it has to be affordable for the end users For John and Maureen, arriving in Skelmersdale in Excavating it all from the clough with frankly because once we uncovered Phone Store. It was this shop floor mobile phones every 12 to 18 months and with in these countries as well: “We call it ultra low cost 1977, it seemed idyllic. The planners left patches of virtually no funding was no simple matter. the water feature the press came post, where he gained valuable 15 million being bought each year, that’s a lot technology. Whereas people would not usually be able to nature undisturbed amongst the estates and when the The success of an earlier, smaller clean up and took photos, and then Radio sales experience, people skills of perfectly usable older models gathering afford the sort of technology we provide, we are making Fleets moved to Birch Green in 1981, if Maureen left the encouraged people to get involved, but even Lancashire got involved. The media and customer service skills, which dust or going to landfill. Petrondas had hit it possible for them to do that. We have quite a low cost bedroom window open she could hear a stream bubbling so people had to be cajoled and favours coverage went on for weeks.” started him on the path to setting upon a big idea. to procure that mobile phone from the British consumer along through Westhead Clough, less than a hundred called in. Local volunteers and school children Kath continues, “In the end, up his own, rather more lucrative, Eazyfone started to work with local and we are able to pass that saving on to consumers in yards away. pitched in and the local Asda, Lidl and Farm even the people who started off mobile phone business. charities, like the MAST hospital appeal in other countries.” But Skelmersdale has not turned out the way it Petrondas worked his way up the was supposed to. Low employment and a host of other “Kath was the motivator. She was the one hierarchy to become store and then UK consumers update their mobile phones on average problems meant that cracks were soon showing in area manager, before being recruited its utopian vision. Over the years the clough became who got everybody moving.” as a business centre manager by every 12 to 18 months and buy 15m handsets every year. neglected and choked with rubbish. Maureen just Celltalk, a business to business wanted to hear the stream again. Foods helped to feed the volunteers. United saying it was a waste of time contract mobile phone distributor. Macclesfield, offering fund raising for the Oh, and the company is a huge commercial success John and Maureen are chairman and secretary of Utilities, the Northwest’s water company, became very positive. There’s still Then, aged just 25, Petrondas groups by collecting old and redundant mobile as well. In 2002, the first year the company switched the Birch Green Estate Management Board. If there was also helped out, as did the Environment some fly-tipping, but nothing like made the leap. “I saw the money phones from the public. “We launched that as to mobile phone recycling, Eazyfone turned over around a nerve centre to the operation to clean up the clough, Agency. So too did the fire brigade, who what it was.” that Celltalk was making, it was a a sideline around 2002 while we were going £360,000. Petrondas says the company is on target to it was their kitchen table. Visiting members of the Birch blasted clean a water feature that had been As John Fleet says, “We’ve got very big growth industry at the time, through this big change with the contract side turnover £2.7 million in 2005. Green Dirt Busters, as they have become known, find put into the stream bed when Birch Green to try and educate people about the and I thought I could do it myself,” of things. We then thought what a fantastic And this successful marriage of good business and that hot drinks and biscuits are in constant supply and was built. Lost beneath silt and rubbish environment. And it’s not an easy he says. So in late 2000 he left way to do two things; help the environment environmental practice has been recognised elsewhere: there’s always a bowl of sweets on the table. for fourteen years, its re-emergence thing. The majority of people are Celltalk and set up Eazyfone doing and also raise as much money as possible for in May this year Petrondas won the Environmental And if there was a key individual in this team effort, brought back childhood memories for decent, it’s just the odd one who the exact same thing: contract the groups that take part,” says Petrondas. Champion award at the Northwest Business it was PC Kath Juckes, community beat manager in many local people. doesn’t care where they live. We’ve mobile phones to consumers Soon the recycling side of the business Environment Awards. Birch Green for the last three years. Kath Juckes is West Lancs District Council also came just got to try and put some pride and businesses. took over. “We started targeting churches But it doesn’t stop there. The company has big exactly the kind of bobby people want more of on the up trumps in the person of its ground back into people’s lives.” While the company grew rapidly, because they are always looking for new roofs plans, including expansion into Holland in mid-October, beat. Everyone on her patch knows her and she knows maintenance manager, Gary Peter. He sent complications with a service and things like that,” he says. And Petrondas followed by France and Spain in the first quarter of everyone. She’s down to earth and friendly but can also workmen to help with the clean up and to cut provider meant it could all have found that these groups would use the press 2006. “We believe Holland will be more successful be stern, in a manner befitting an officer of the law. back the privets and trees around the stream. been over just as quickly. Explains to encourage the public to collect and donate than the UK because of the attitude of consumers; “Kath was the motivator,” says Judith Allnutt of He also encouraged local contractors to get Petrondas: “Luckily enough they mobile phones: “So we got loads of PR and people are more geared towards recycling in Europe,” the Mersey Basin Campaign, who helped organise the involved in the three-week long effort. decided to settle out of court so press coverage. And we got thousands of says Petrondas. clean up. “She was very good at getting groups involved “Joe Lidel from Ribble Reclamation gave MORE INFORMATION: we got paid but at that point we mobile phones back.” and getting them to give what we needed, and she us a JCB and someone to drive it for six days Matthew Sutcliffe had no forward strategy, we didn’t It really does seem that everyone is a persuaded them to provide all sorts of extras. She was at no cost,” says Kath Juckes. “We estimate 0161 242 8208 have the ability to provide the same winner. Not only does the company allow MORE INFORMATION: the one who mobilised everybody.” we did about twenty thousand pounds worth [email protected] packages anymore.” individuals and charities to realise some www.eazyfone.com 18 19 All the noise is coming from a cavernous rectangular The Guardian featured a front page picture of the iron great port of emigration, also resonates with the hippie trail to India, eventually spending almost three room, two stories high, with a large square entrance on men. Like much of Gormley’s art it has proved popular work’s themes. years away, during which time he studied meditation one side through which sunlight is fl ooding in from the with the public as well as the media and the critics. But things have moved on since 1997 and to with a Burmese guru and considered becoming a bright courtyard outside. It smells like the metalwork Local coastal rangers estimate that the number of Gormley Another Place has taken on new signifi cance. Buddhist monk. It was in India that he decided to make a room at school – it is, after all, a workshop. There are visitors to the beach has doubled since its arrival. “I think people quite rightly see other associations. With serious stab at being an artist. When he arrived home in metal people dangling from the high ceiling. The original projection of 600,000 visitors during the more awareness of asylum seekers and greater global 1974 he enrolled at the Central School of Art in London, More precisely, overhead are suspended swirling installation’s stay, until November 2006, looks sure to mobility it seems that it’s less about the Pilgrim Fathers before going on to Goldsmiths and the Slade. clouds of steel fi bres, ingeniously constructed so that be comfortably beaten. or refugees going to America than about people coming “I start from an aspiration that art can be anywhere from the correct viewpoint the lines mesh to reveal a “The moment Antony topped the sand dunes and here and us having an opportunity to think about what and for everyone,” he says. And the reaction to body-shaped void at the centre. saw the beach he sort of went ‘Yes’,” says Rod Yeoman, kind of society we offer.” Another Place suggests he is doing something right. This is where some of Britain’s most successful the director of South Sefton Partnership, who played a Like the life-size statues on Crosby beach and the People have taken the statues to heart, regularly art is made, the workshop at the heart of Antony important part in bringing Another Place to Crosby. body-shaped spaces in the steel fi bres, the human dressing them up – during the Ashes a cricket team The human Gormley’s new purpose-built studio in London. Gormley explains: “What I like about Crosby beach is body is the constant that runs through Gormley’s work. suddenly appeared. There is even a story about a bride Three young artists – Gormley’s assistants – are cutting, that it’s a working beach, not a romantic, escapist idea His own trim 6’ 4” frame in particular has provided the in her wedding dress donning wellies to have her picture body is the welding and beating his artworks into being. of nature as wilderness. It’s got the wind farm, it’s got model for many of his works, including Another Place. taken with one of the statues. In the courtyard a matching pair of Gormley’s striking the community centre, it’s got the great container ships “I suppose I go to the body because it is the So successful has Another Place been that local MP constant that metal fi gures punctuates the space and a stainless coming and leaving the Mersey docks. It’s got the piles universal human condition,” he says. “The body is where Claire Curtis-Thomas has already initiated a campaign to steel clad staircase rises up to a tastefully minimalist of scrap iron.” we all live.” make it permanent. Whether the campaign will succeed runs through offi ce, where Gormley has agreed to an interview in a He continues: “Another Place, in a way, says ‘Here His work is also partly a reaction to the move is hard to say, not least because Crosby is a complex room overlooking the workshop. we are’ at the beginning of the twenty-fi rst century in a towards the abstract in twentieth century art. “I go to site. Careful negotiations were required to stage the Gormley’s If you don’t already know Antony Gormley the artist, post-industrial world, facing the sea. The beach is a very the body,” he says, “in reply to the failure of modernism work in the fi rst place and the permissions granted are you’ll almost certainly know his art. Think of the Angel of important interface between the known, the given, the to provide an art that refl ects the way we feel as well as for 18 months only. work – in the North in Gateshead – or, more recently, the 100 cast made and the earth and its systems, like the rhythm of the way we might think or see.” It is a reaction to Even so, with the Capital of Culture arriving in iron statues gazing out implacably across the Irish Sea the tide.” “the obsession with composition and relationships of Liverpool in 2008, it’s hard to refute the idea that particular, from Crosby beach in Merseyside, which make up the Another Place was fi rst shown in 1997 at the German pure elements that is responsible for draining the feeling Gormley’s stunning installation should stay in place at installation called Another Place. port of Cuxhaven, from where thousands of people from art.” least until then. his own. When Another Place was unveiled last summer it emigrated to America, many fl eeing the rise of Nazism There is a depth of thought behind Gormley’s work, attracted the kind of national media attention that is (Crosby is its fourth beach, the fi rst in the UK). So the something approaching a philosophy. Indeed, in the rarely seen in one of Merseyside’s regeneration areas. location of Crosby beach close to Liverpool, another early 1970s the young Gormley set out to follow the

PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE: ANTONY GORMLEY

ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: ANOTHER PLACE

PArtistArtist AntonyAntony GormleyGorUmley describesdescribes thethe thinkingthBinking behindbehind AnotherAnotheLr PlacePlace, hishis installationinstallaICtion onon a MerseysideMerseyside beach.beach. B Words MatthewMatthew SutcliffeSOutcliffe PhotographsPhotographsD MatthewMatthew Sutcliffe,Sutcliffe, PetePIete MossMosESs & courtesycourtesy Mersey Waterfront

20 21 Winter is the perfect time to visit one of the country’s top ten most important wetlands.

salt marshes, they leave their roosts for breakfast. numbers of locally bred Ringed Plovers that spend the MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: So the best time to visit the Mersey is about an hour whole winter on the Mersey. FLOCK OF GOLDEN PLOVERS after high tide when the birds should be feeding close The Shelduck is unique among British ducks in that BELOW: TURNSTONE to the upper shore. As the tide recedes, the birds will both the male and female have showy plumage; bright disperse further and further across the vast expanses red beaks, green heads, black and white bodies of intertidal fl ats. with a chestnut breast band. They nest underground The Dunlin is the commonest wading bird, in rabbit burrows so the incubating females do not comprising almost a half of the Mersey’s 100,000 need the camoufl aged plumage shown by other types

Words Tim Melling Remember the TV show Family Fortunes, where contestants had “One cubic metre of Mersey Estuary mud contains enough worms to guess the most popular public answers to simple questions? Photographs Steve Young I wonder what answers you’d get if you asked what people and shellfi sh to equal the number of calories in sixteen Mars bars.” associated most with the River Mersey. The Beatles, the ferries, the Liver building, Albert Dock or the Cathedrals? I suspect that birds. The Mersey is the top UK site for this species, of duck. Thirty years ago the entire British population of not many would conjure up an image of one of Britain’s richest supporting more than any other site. They are rather Shelducks used to migrate to the Heligoland Bight bird sites. But the Mersey Estuary is currently in ninth place in small, brown and nondescript in winter, but their beauty after breeding, a remote area off the coast of north the league of the top UK wetland sites, regularly supporting more comes from the spectacular choreographed fl ock west Germany. than 100,000 ducks and wading birds. movements. They feed in large fl ocks on the mudfl ats Like all ducks, Shelducks moult all their fl ight The Mersey rather hides its light under a bushel compared but will readily take to the air. When airborne, they have feathers simultaneously, rendering them completely with say, Morecambe Bay, where thousands of people can easily a coordinated movement that seems to fl ow through the fl ightless for a time. Coupled with their showy plumage, enjoy the waterfowl spectacular from countless viewpoints. On fl ock in waves. The effect is mesmerising as the fl ock this makes them extremely vulnerable to predation, the Mersey, it’s diffi cult to access the inner estuary, the area changes from dark to white in waves as each bird twists which is why they fl ew to this remote sandbank. where most of the wildlife-rich salt marsh and mudfl ats are to in turn to reveal either the dark back or the white belly. However, Shelducks have been moving to the Mersey LEFT: CURLEW be found. The Manchester Ship Canal is a barrier to access on Some birds don’t spend the whole winter on the to moult in increasing numbers. More than 15,000 BELOW LEFT: WADER FLOCK the south side, and there aren’t too many access points on the Mersey, but use it as a sort of motorway service station Shelducks (about 20% of the UK population) have BELOW RIGHT: REDSHANK north side either. where they refuel as they migrate vast distances. Arctic stayed to moult on the Mersey in recent years, and When visiting the Mersey Estuary, timing is everything; breeding Ringed Plovers spend the summer in the Arctic it is now the single most time of year and time of day. During the summer, most of the and the winter in West Africa. These tiny cousins of the important site in the whole Mersey’s birds will have fl own to the Arctic or Scandinavia to Lapwing call into the estuary for a few days in spring of the UK for this species. breed. They return during September and October and will remain and autumn to replenish the reserves they have used until March or April, when they fl y back north. So autumn and up on the fi rst leg of the exhausting journey between winter are the best times to visit the Mersey. the two. The envy of human dieters, migratory birds like The state of the tide is also important, as it governs the the Ringed Plover can rapidly use up their fat reserves. birds’ activity. At high tide, birds head for an undisturbed roosting Less desirable is their ability to put on fat with equal place. When the falling tide exposes the food-rich mudfl ats and speed. These migratory birds play leapfrog with smaller [CONTINUED OVER] 22 23 Tim Melling works for the RSPB in the Northwest and regularly writes for bird and wildlife magazines.

Turnstone is a species that was long overlooked on fly south for the winter, so do Icelandic Black-tailed birdwatchers’ map is the rare and elusive Leach’s Petrel, ABOVE: PEREGRINE Mersey Estuary? As the water quality has improved in the Mersey – they were missed during the regular high Godwits. The estuaries of the Northwest are particularly a small dark seabird with a white rump and a forked tail BELOW: recent years, a greater range of invertebrates (worms, tide counts at Seaforth and the North Wirral Foreshore important wintering sites. that ranks among the most difficult to see of all British LEACH’S PETREL shellfish etc) has developed, which in turn supports a because they don’t roost with the other waders. They More than 10,000 Teal regularly spend the winter birds. The name petrel is thought to derive from St Peter FACING PAGE FROM TOP: greater range of birds. So next time you look across the were discovered roosting on Liverpool’s dock walls at the on the Mersey Estuary, making it the second most who walked on water as these birds patter over the WADER FLOCK, sandflats and mudflats of the Mersey Estuary and you mouth of the Mersey, which are not easily visible. About important UK site, after the Somerset Levels. These surface in a similar manner. It only nests on remote, BLACK TAILED GODWIT, think it is a barren waste, remember that there are over a thousand Turnstones normally feed on the barnacle tiny ducks are only about half the size of a Mallard, and uninhabited Scottish islands such as North Rona and BATHING MALE TEAL, DUNLIN 100,000 birds out there who disagree with you. beds on the Egremont foreshore and on the groynes in instead of quacking they make a high pitched, bell-like Sula Sgeir. Furthermore, it only ever returns to these that area. whistle. They breed in marshes in Scandinavia and nesting islands at night, spending the daylight hours Ringing studies on Turnstones have shown that Russia, but flee before the onset of the freezing winter. many miles out to sea. It also winters at sea off the they are both long-lived and extremely site faithful. One This is the time of year when most Liverpudlians are coast of western Africa. Turnstone has returned to the same barnacle bed at dreaming of vacating Merseyside for a holiday in the So why is the Mersey so famous for them? During Egremont for nearly twenty years, yet it flies thousands warmth. But for the Teal, the Mersey Estuary in a mild September, Petrels migrate south at night from Scotland of miles each year to breed in Greenland. It seems winter haven. towards Africa, flying above the Irish Sea. When strong strange that it travels the globe, yet its knowledge of Meanwhile, Peregrine Falcons have cottoned on northwesterly winds blow at this time of year, disoriented the world comprises just a few hectares of tundra in to the fact that there are many birds around for them birds get blown across Liverpool Bay and into the Greenland, and a small area of foreshore in England. to feed on. In recent years, they have moved into Mersey. Keen birdwatchers eagerly watch the weather The Mersey in winter supports more than 7 per cent Merseyside and now nest on buildings on both sides forecasts during September and after a strong blow, you of the entire Icelandic breeding population of Black-tailed of the river. This is quite a dramatic step for a bird that will usually see large crowds of birdwatchers sheltering Godwits. These birds have extremely long legs and is more at home on remote moorland crags and sea against Perch Rock in the hope of catching a glimpse bills enabling them to probe deep in the Mersey mud cliffs. They can regularly be seen perched on Hamilton of one of these special birds. New Brighton is generally for food. In flight, they have strikingly black and white Square Chimney in Birkenhead, or on tall buildings in reckoned the most reliable place in Britain to catch sight plumage, including a black tip to a white tail, which gives Liverpool itself. of a Leach’s Petrel. them their name. In the same manner that our swallows But the bird that has really put the Mersey on the So what does all this tell us about the quality of the

60-second expert Accessing the Mersey Estuary Important Bird Populations on the Mersey Estuary

• Most people are surprised to learn that the On the north side of the estuary On-street parking at Egremont A site is considered to be of Internationally Important Populations Mersey Estuary is in the top ten most important Park in the Hale Head Car park (map reference (SJ319920) will give views of the international importance for any wetland bird sites in Britain. SJ473814) and walk south to the lighthouse coastal defence groynes. These species of bird if it supports more Species 5 year mean peak count* % UK population Ranking in UK where you can walk east or west along the groynes are used by roosting waders than 1 per cent of the European Shelduck 11,459 19% 1st • It regularly hosts more than 100,000 birds and Mersey shore. Dunlin, Redshank and Teal can use at high tide. This area is also population. The Mersey Estuary Teal 11,211 7% 2nd is considered internationally important for three be seen here, amongst lots of other species. the best feeding site for Turnstones is internationally important for Pintail 838 4% 10th types of duck and four types of wading bird. Park at Oglet Bay car park (SJ449820) and when the falling tide exposes the three species of duck and four Dunlin 49,067 12% 1st again walk east or west along the Mersey barnacle beds. species of wading bird and so Black-tailed Godwit 1,543 7% 8th • Winter is the best time to see birds on the shore. This area is also good for Dunlin, On-street parking near Perch qualifies as a Special Protection Redshank 5,559 6% 3rd estuary. Each autumn birds arrive on the Mersey all Redshank, Teal and Shelduck. Rock at New Brighton (SJ310942) Area, a status reserved for only the Turnstone 1,067 8% 2nd the way from the Arctic. They choose the Mersey gives access to the North Wirral most important bird sites in Europe. partly because they consider it a warm and sheltered On the south side of the estuary Foreshore; a favourite feeding and It also qualifies as a Ramsar site; a Nationally Important Populations site to spend the winter and partly because of the Park at Eastham Ferry (SJ362819) at the roosting area for wading birds. wetland of international importance. superabundance of food. country park and enjoy views across the This site is also a favourite spot to This recognises wetlands as vital Wigeon 10,335 3% 10th Mersey. At low tide Dunlin, Redshank and Teal look for rare Leach’s Petrels and links in a chain where migratory Golden Plover 2,671 2% 25th • It has been calculated that the worms and can be seen on the exposed mudflats. Very other seabirds such as gulls, terns birds can stop and refuel en route Grey Plover 1,382 3% 17th shellfish in one cubic metre of Mersey mud have the few birds to be seen at high tide. and skuas. between their breeding and wintering Lapwing 10,814 3% 13th same number of calories as sixteen Mars bars. On-street parking at New Ferry (SJ342855) grounds. To be considered nationally Curlew 1,682 2% 12th can give access to New Ferry Bay, a favoured important, a site must regularly • Parts of the estuary are designated as Sites of site for Black-tailed Godwits and Pintail when support more than 1 per cent of the *These figures are based on the latest published counts of birds during the winters 1996-97 to 2000-01. Special Scientific Interest or as Ramsar sites, which the mudflats are exposed. UK population of any species. (The Wetland Bird Survey 2000-01 Wildfowl and Wader Counts. BTO/WWT/RSPB/JNCC) covers wetlands of international importance. 24 25 RESEARCH THE SHARP END

Opinion: The next big step in healing the Northwest’s SMALL (AND CLEAN) IS BEAUTIFUL environment is to make the Mersey whole again, says Dr Keith Hendry. New research is revealing the good news behind some of the Northwest’s forgotten rivers.

Picture the river Mersey, and you’re likely to think of its sweeping estuary, Liverpool’s magnificent waterfront with its grand architecture or the famous Albert Docks. MOVING THE But big rivers are not the whole story of a region’s water environment – they are in fact just the end of a story that begins with the small streams and tributaries that feed into our grandest rivers along their journey to Dr Keith Hendry is an aquatic What is it about salmon and the epic the sea. scientist with many years of migrations they make that captures our Often neglected, forgotten and unappreciated, these experience in water quality and imaginations and reminds us of nature’s small rivers are now the focus of research carried out by fisheries management. He is majesty and power? Perhaps it’s that managing director of aquatic MERSEY the Mersey Basin Campaign in association with regional wildlife filmmakers have become so adept at universities. Perceived for years as unpleasant, polluted consultancy firm APEM Ltd. portraying the salmon’s story. We follow their question is how to protect and encourage their return. and litter-strewn places, researchers wanted to find perilous journey from the open ocean back to And that will demand some really visionary thinking. It out whether their water quality was indeed as poor as the rivers and streams where they were born, will mean tackling an engineering project on a scale people believed. Could an unloved local waterway have battling strong currents, leaping waterfalls rarely seen in the Northwest since the Victorians. It will the potential to encourage regeneration by providing a and dodging hungry seals along the way. mean moving the Mersey. pleasant, natural environment for residents to live and Or perhaps it’s because the filmmakers most One of the major obstacles that remains for work beside? often show us the mass runs of Sockeye migratory fish in the Mersey is the poor water quality salmon returning to the streams of Alaska’s in the Manchester Ship Canal, which the river joins Research Findings still-pristine wilderness. for several kilometres near Davyhulme in Manchester So it’s a surprise to discover that for (the other is impassable weirs, but while fish-passes In 2002 the River Medlock, a tributary of the Mersey, In both studies it was found that river water quality was most of its history the River Mersey too saw around them are expensive, they are easy to build). was the first to be looked at in research backed by the better than had been realised. Investment and tighter regulation mighty annual salmon runs of our own native Indeed, most experts had assumed that the Ship Canal Mersey Basin Campaign, with a wide ranging PhD study having clearly had a positive impact on the levels of sewage remained too polluted for salmon to move through. into water quality and quantity. The research looked at sludge input, heavy metal pollution, and excess levels of “For most of its history the River Mersey saw We don’t have to look far to see what happens when how pollution is trapped and transported by sediment phosphorus and nitrogen that damage fish and invertebrate salmon are caught in poor quality water. The recovery of particles in the river – a significant problem because habitats through eutrophication. mighty annual runs of Atlantic Salmon.” salmon on the River Tyne has been dramatic, making it the Medlock is prone to flash floods that stir up the The good news was tempered with worrying findings of raised the most prolific salmon river in England. But problems sediments. In 2004, a year-long monitoring project pollution levels in the sediment on the river substrate. This is species, Atlantic Salmon. As late as the 1700s remain. When water quality in the Tyne falls – most then looked in more detail at animal life in the river, partly the legacy of the Northwest’s industrial past, but also workers on the river complained of having commonly in hot summers – substantial numbers of investigating the invertebrate species that reveal the includes sediment from today’s building sites together with run-off too much fish to eat. That all ended with the migratory fish like salmon and sea trout pay the penalty. river’s water quality. from roads, gardens and agriculture. Concentrated in the river terrible poisoning of our environment that The same thing could easily happen in the Ship The second tributary to be examined was the sediment, this pollution diffuses out into the water over time. accompanied the industrial revolution. By the Canal. It would be ironic if the return of breeding salmon River Irk, a tributary of the upper Mersey studied over More seriously, when flash flooding occurs, as it frequently MORE INFORMATION 1970s the Mersey and many of its tributaries also heralded a return to fish dying on the Mersey in a 12-month period by Denise Patfield of Manchester does, these pollutants can be quickly released back into the Dr Keith Hendry 0161 226 2922 were a kind of toxic soup that no fish could large numbers. What is needed is a long term solution Metropolitan University, supervised by Dr Kevin Taylor. water, undoing all the good work that has been achieved through [email protected] survive in, let alone salmon, which demand to the threat of periodic and regular deteriorations in While major environmental research projects can take better environmental behaviour by local businesses and farms. cleaner water than most species. water quality. years to come to fruition, the benefit of smaller studies Overall, however, these studies have to date been remarkably Who would have thought back in 1985, The only realistic answer is to reconnect the can be to create a more immediate impact. Mike encouraging. With findings that show the water is cleaner than at the outset of the Mersey Basin Campaign, Mersey with its headwaters by cutting a new seven Cummins at Action Irk and Roch says that the improved anticipated, our forgotten rivers can start to be used once again that salmon would be breeding in one of the kilometre river channel adjacent to the Ship Canal water quality in the River Irk means that local residents as a community resource, whether for angling, canoeing, boating river’s headwaters a mere twenty years later? through Partington. are already noticing increased wildlife. or simply enjoying the wildlife that is returning. The discovery of young salmon in the Some may consider cutting a new channel utter “There’s kingfishers bombing up and down, I’ve As well as studying the Mersey’s forgotten tributaries, the River Goyt this summer is a landmark in the madness, but who would have considered the presence seen herons every time I’ve been out recently and last River Ribble in Lancashire is also coming under the microscope. restoration of the Northwest’s environment. of salmon in the Goyt conceivable even a few months year there was a green sandpiper on the river. We’ve got One of its tributaries, the River Tawd in Skelmersdale, is the There can be no doubt that the water quality ago? Moreover, such an engineering scheme would to use this evidence – both the good and the bad – to focus of a year-long water quality study by the Campaign and improvements in the catchment are nothing have been a mere trifle to the Victorians, who built the produce local political pressure to work on improving Manchester Metropolitan University. The research is looking at less than startling. It is an outstanding Ship Canal in the first place. Let’s think big and leave things like the road run-off, because this kind of thing sources of pollution leaching out from disused mines – findings achievement and all involved, including the an eternal legacy for future generations by making the shows how good it could be if the multitude of problems will be available next year. Campaign, United Utilities, the Environment Mersey whole again. that still exist got dealt with.” With a growing body of evidence demonstrating the positives Agency and Peel Holdings should be Perhaps one day we’ll see TV pictures of salmon and negatives of the region’s smaller rivers, it is hoped that these justifiably proud. streaming in huge numbers up the River Mersey. What MORE INFORMATION studies will collectively demonstrate the potential for local people But a handful of young fish in one tributary better way to prove to ourselves and to a sceptical world Dr Amanda Wright 0161 242 8200 to once again make use of and enjoy their waterways. hardly constitutes a return to the Mersey’s that the once damaged environment of the industrial great salmon runs of centuries ago. The Northwest is, after all, well on the way to recovery? 26 27