On Saturday 14 July come and join Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) on a fun, family day out at Arlington Reservoir near Berwick as part of the East Sussex Water Festival.

It’s a celebration of water and wildlife on the 120-acre nature reserve at Arlington, which is a picture-perfect spot for all the family to try new activities and learn about wetlands and water.

Activities include expert fly-fishing tuition, pond dipping, storytelling and learning survival skills with SWT’s Forest Schools team. There’s also the opportunity to learn about drought-proof gardening and tips on how to be more water efficient in the home and garden.

As well as local produce and plant sales, entertainment will be provided by travelling theatre company – The Drips Ahoy - and music from Nick Crump and his amazing Boghorn Orchestra. Fran Southgate, Sussex Otters and Rivers Project Officer (SORP) will also be on hand to answer your queries.

This event is part of the Southern Counties Water Festival 2007, supported by The Wildlife Trusts, Environment Agency, water companies and local county councils. It exists to raise public awareness of water issues across the South East where population, development pressures, and the likely effects of climate change are all at their most extreme.

This summer, the East Sussex Water Festival at Arlington compliments similar events in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent to promote the environmental importance of water and the need to conserve this precious resource.

Please come by train or bus to Berwick station as parking is limited.
For more details visit www.cuckmerebus.freeuk.com or www.southernrailway.com/timetables.php

Arlington Reservoir is situated approprimately half a mile off the A27 Lewes to Eastbourne Road, signposted to Berwick.

The event runs from 11:00-16:00. Refreshments and picnic area are available. Limited disabled access. Free event but donations appreciated.

For further details please call 01273 492630 or visit the website www.waterfestivals.org.uk

Ends

Ed Notes:

The Sussex Otters and Rivers Project works across the county to promote the sustainable management of Sussex rivers and their landscapes and the restoration of wetlands for people and wildlife. The project is sponsored by the Environment Agency, Sussex Wildlife Trust, South East Water and Southern Water Services.

At a national level, SORP is part of Water for Wildlife UK, a unique partnership between water companies, the Environment Agency and The Wildlife Trusts, working to share best practice in water efficiency and conservation, and to provide a more consistent and targeted approach to wetland conservation and water resources.

Images: pond dipping/Sussex Wildlife Trust