Grantham Rivercare calls for a year of change in 2024

As this year hurtles towards the next, perhaps it is time to reflect on what has gone before and what we can hope to expect in the New Year, write David Martin and Ian Simmons of Grantham Rivercare.

While our microcosm is the river and the volunteers that keep it healthy, we have to realise that we don’t exist in a vacuum and that all actions - from the smallest upwards - have consequences.

This year is likely to be declared the warmest since records began, an achievement we shouldn’t celebrate. We have just experienced our fourth ‘named’ storm of the season, which is an unusual first for the UK. As a result, river levels have been higher than normal as heavier rains fall, sometimes in significant deluges. These overwhelm local infrastructure and can flood properties. A focus on drain clearing should become paramount with residents reporting where blockages are likely to occur.

Flood mitigation measures undertaken locally include the reintroduction of a flood plain on the Belton Estate which has already seen action. Three large ponds, fed by groundwater, have been established in QE Park. These take some of the load from the river and will present opportunities for a more diverse ecosystem, particularly for invertebrates.

Surveys show a clear majority believe a clean litter free environment is important and most of them also think things are not as they should be.

Grantham RiverCare will continue our voluntary work next year, keeping the river as litter free as we can.

We will take part in the annual ‘Great British Spring Clean’ with over 450,000 other like-minded people who understand that clean streets and green spaces are valuable local resources to be proud of, raise a family and enjoy the wellness benefits the natural world offers. Civic pride, people!

We in Grantham are fortunate to have three lovely parks to share. Almost half a million people around the country live in ‘grey deserts’ with no trees or open spaces. To illustrate the value of parks, Public Health England state that universal access to Nature would save some £2.1 billion annually in health costs. Conversely, funding for parks has been cut by £690 million since 2010. Maybe national and local bean counters should realise that prevention is cheaper than cure!

What can we do to make 2024 a year of change? Saying ‘No!’ to fly tipping, littering and other thoughtless attacks on Nature would be a start.