2025

Tree planting

Jenny Davies planting one of the 12 trees along the river within West Stow Country Park.

Removing Fallen Tree

A tree had fallen during the stormy mid-September weather along the north bank. 

Joe and Elly Rudland removed it.

New Gate

Greg Herod has replaced the gate leading to the south bank.

Installation of container for equipment storage

The club has purchased a shipping container for the secure storage of the maintenance equipment in the club's possession, replacing the wooden shed which has become inadequate. 

The track to the lakes, recently reinforced, had to be widened to accommodate the delivery of the container. 

The track has been repaired with locally-sourced gravel and sand, and shored up with timber donated by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, consisting of disused telegraph poles and other material.

Clearing bur reed

Clearing encroaching bur reed (Sparganium erectum) allows connectivity for trout to migrate into our water to spawn. 

As before the previous clearance in 2022, the channel was occluded. In July, the roots are too strong; in September, too friable. In August, the reed comes out with its rhizomes. The reed once removed is placed on the bank for the invertebrates within to escape back to the river

A willow had fallen into the channel, and if left, would have taken root, so Elly Rudland removed it.

Left to right: April Urquhart, volunteer Niamh, John Urquhart, Joe and Elly Rudland

Development of small lake 

Greg Herod has single-handedly built and installed two seats adjacent to the platforms he built last season. 

Management of fallen ash tree adjacent to the McColl bench in West Stow Country Park

This project started in 2024 but is described in its entirety here as it was completed in 2025. ​An ash tree fell across the river in October  2023, causing considerable obstruction. Subsequent heavy rainfall raised the river level and the increased flow disrupted the bank and footpath.

On 7th February 2024, David Hudson, Nick Finch, Kevin Sturgeon and John Urquhart worked with Will Cranstoun and colleagues from Suffolk Wildlife Trust to remove it. As it turned out, heavy rainfall the previous night meant that the work could not be accomplished. 

Instead of restoring the river bank to the ruler-straight dimensions dictated by the Victorian engineers who changed the river into a canal, we decided instead to allow the river to form a meander. The work was performed on 18th April 2024, with David, Kerry, Keith, John and April helping Will Cranstoun and Ollie from Suffolk Wildlife. 

The fallen tree has been formed into large wooden debris and has created a meander in the river.

The bank was graded, reducing the steepness of the slope and alder trunks were fixed to the river bed to protect the bank. Chestnut stakes were installed, and alder stems woven between them, to complete a wattle fence.