The ACA Forum

Conserving the Devonshire Avon from source to sea

NEWS

OUR LATEST NEWS ITEMS WILL APPEAR AS ‘POSTS’ TO DRAW IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THEM.  

 ‘POSTS’ WILL BE ARCHIVED AFTER ONE MONTH’S DISPLAY BUT MIGHT BE RECYCLED IF STILL OF RELEVANCE. 

OTHER ITEMS OF LESS IMMEDIATE CONCERN BUT OF GENERAL INTEREST APPEAR BELOW

 

1. Report of our September beach clean on Cockleridge:  see – September beach clean

2. ALIEN WEEDS  As you will be well aware by now (I hope!), one of the ACA’s primary objectives is to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Avon for the benefit of the public.  Under that umbrella, I hope you will be interested in helping with a new joint project between the ACA and the South Devon AONB Unit, concerned with the control of invasive plant species, as described in the file below.  Whilst we are not encouraging anybody to spy on their neighbours for Knotweed infestations, we are encouraging you to provide help in relieving them of a potentially expensive liability!

see – HELP ELIMINATE INVASIVE WEEDS

3. SAS talk, 20th October 2009 – On 20th October, the Aune Conservation Association arranged  a talk in Thurlestone Parish Hall by Andy Cummins – Campaign Manager, Surfers against Sewage (SAS) –  about the work of that organisation in raising awareness of the problems of pollution of our seas and rivers.  In a truly inspirational presentation, he described how 5 full-time and 2 part-time, highly motivated and dedicated individuals are bringing  about significant change  in the behaviour of major companies and, indeed, some countries  to reduce the effects of  human activities on our aquatic environment.    Examples include the substitution of bio-degradable cardboard for plastic sticks in ear buds (these currently make excellent markers of sewage pollution on our beaches, having been thoughtlessly flushed down lavatories!), getting cigarette butts off our beaches, greater care in the management of the raw materials of plastic products to reduce the number of the so-called mermaids’ tears on our beaches, the persuasion of national and local authorities to stop the discharge of raw sewage into the sea near holiday beaches and, similarly, of water authorities to reduce or eliminate the number of permitted sewage discharges which occur without any warning to river or beach users.  These successes and others are being achieved by a remarkably bold and highly effective programme of direct action and clever public relations designed to embarrass offenders and stimulate corrective measures.  Food for thought for other environmental conservation organisations!

4. GILLAROO  The latest news on this vessel which threatens the river is that the Duchy of Cornwall’s agent is obtaining a professional opinion about her seaworthiness before issuing another notice to quit its current berth, in agreement with the landowner.   If the vessel is incapable of being moved, it will be broken up and removed at the owner’s expense.   Submissions from Aveton Gifford Parish Council and the ACA have reassured the Duchy that this is the wish of the vast majority of those who enjoy the estuary.

Gillaroo on a high tide