Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund we are currently running our exciting community engagement project called "Roots in the River".
The project will run until February 2027 and will connect new communities to the natural and industrial heritages on the River Worth, Fagley Beck and other smaller becks in the West of Bradford.
We will help communities understand the history of their beck, why it was and is important, and upskill them to be able to look after it.
The primary focus of the project is on improving the natural heritage of the River Worth, Fagley Beck and other tributaries of the Aire in the vicinity of Keighley and Bradford.
These becks and rivers are vital wildlife corridors, connecting diverse habitats and enabling species movement, especially for migration and dispersal. They support both aquatic and terrestrial species, offering water, food, and shelter. Riparian zones provide habitats for birds, mammals, and amphibians, while rivers transport nutrients and seeds, fostering plant growth.
Rivers play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem connectivity, supporting species' survival, and promoting resilience in both aquatic and surrounding environments.
The waters where we propose to work are important spawning and refuge habitats for the fish that are slowly returning as the worst of the pollution is brought under control. They are also valuable green spaces providing important and diverse recreational opportunities for local communities, offering activities that promote physical health, relaxation, and social interaction. Their contribution to individual and community wellbeing is widely recognised.
None of these watercourses meet the Environment Agency’s criteria for ‘acceptable ecological condition’, all being classed as no better than Moderate, and all are classified as ‘Heavily Modified’
Our environmental heritage is beyond the stage of being at risk. It is in severe decline and has been since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. From the Industrial Revolution onwards these watercourses have been heavily altered and impacted by humans, with weirs built for mills, sections culverted or confined to man-made channels, and pollution from sewage, agriculture, and urban drainage. The project will directly address these ecological degradations.
The River Worth Valley was historically home to numerous mills during the industrial revolution. The Worth Valley became a major centre for woollen and worsted production due to its proximity to fast-flowing rivers, which powered the early mills, and access to raw materials. It has been estimated that there were around 30 to 50 mills in the River Worth Valley at its peak during the 19th century. Many of these were large textile mills, but the number also includes smaller factories and mills related to spinning, weaving, and finishing woollen fabrics.
Many of these mills have since closed or been repurposed, though some buildings (and most of the watery infrastructure, such as weirs, goits, mill ponds and canalised rivers) still stand as remnants of the region's industrial heritage. As a consequence of this history, there is a strong cultural connection to the communities that relied on the water for their settlements and livelihoods. Even today the presence of litter and fly tipping makes the rivers less visually attractive. The project will engage the community with this history.
Nature connection is so important for human well-being and for the future of our natural world.
Connecting with nature has been shown to provide us with many benefits, such as improved mental wellbeing, greater meaning and purpose in life, and more pro-environmental behaviours - see work by The University of Derby. Nature connection can be very simple, it is about the feelings you get whilst in nature.
Rivers and becks offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature!
As a consequence of the local heritage and history of rivers and becks in and around Bradford and Keighley, there is a strong cultural connection to the communities that relied on the water for their settlements and livelihoods. Even today the presence of litter and fly tipping makes the rivers less visually attractive. This project will engage the community with this history, aiming to create a sense of ownership of our local rivers and becks, and encouraging and upskilling people to look after them.
Our overarching ethos is to work with communities, sharing knowledge about the significance of their local watercourses and supporting groups to act in their local area. Where possible we will focus on communities traditionally underrepresented in the environment, who typically spend less time and effort visiting and renovating our rivers. We will offer a range of different activities, each designed to grow connections, leading to long-term change and care of their local watercourse
We will introduce people to their local becks and rivers, and the wildlife that can be found there, through guided walks.
Walks will be co-designed with local communities and groups, and can be adapted to suit different audiences.
Walks will include nature connection activities to help people feel more connected to nature and reap the well-being benefits it can offer.
We will run events and activities sharing our knowledge of rivers, their heritage and the challenges faced. This knowledge sharing will be two ways as we listen to why rivers are important including their cultural and religious significance.
We will highlight the decline in biodiversity and bring the story to life of why people inhabited the River Aire corridor. We will ask about personal connections to and memories of the rivers they know, building a deeper understanding of why it is important to them. This will lead to design and deliver nature connection activities and walks at watercourses.
During events and walks we will introduce volunteering activities and ask for ideas that we can co-design.
We would like to increase our number of volunteers, and get more people out with us – helping us to help nature!
Currently our list of practical volunteering activities includes:
We will also identify champions who can share the importance of the river and help build more interest within their communities. These champions may be part of existing groups, such as River Worth Friends, Friends of Bradford's Becks or the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, or could form the basis of new ‘Friends of ...’ groups. Our aim is to enable more local people to support their local watercourse, with us providing support, rather than us trying to do everything.
Councillor Chris Hayden, Labour Councillor for Eccleshill Ward, says “As a local councillor for Eccleshill, I am excited about the launch of the Aire Rivers Trust’s Roots in the River Project, and the opportunities it will bring for local people. I know that residents care deeply about this corner of our neighbourhood. The community outreach project will focus on Fagley Beck as it runs through Fagley and Ravenscliffe Woods towards Greengates. It will provide a chance for local people to get involved with activities that aim to improve wellbeing through access to nature, and improve habitats for wildlife. I welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with organisations like the Aire Rivers Trust in our local area.”
Rachel Forsyth, Chief Executive of Aire Rivers Trust, says “We are incredibly excited to start work on our Roots in the River project, which represents a real change in how we work with local communities and support the health of the river. Our aim is to understand what different people want and need from us and the river, overcoming barriers to involvement and deepening connection with local places and nature.”
Take a look at the BBC coverage of the launch of the project or the Telegraph and Argus article.
By working together, we can restore these valuable waterways for the benefit of wildlife and the communities that live, work and play alongside them. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved.
We need you ideas and help, so if you or your group is interested in this exciting project, please contact Anna Williams to find out we can help each other anna.williams@aireriverstrust.org.uk
Welcome to our blog series as part of our Roots in the River project, where we will be sharing different stories and experiences as the seasons pass by. First up – celebrating Spring and connecting with nature! Having passed the spring equinox on Friday 20th March, spring is officially here! Over the past few weeks, […]
