Powys primary school campaigns for care for local rivers

Pupils from Mount Street Junior School in Brecon are campaigning “with a promise to love and care for the Rivers Usk and Wye” which are facing a water quality crisis.

This is being led by the school’s Eco Club, which has joined forces with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in a mission to further inspire local people to love the rivers, and help look after them from work or home.

Pupils kick-started the grassroots campaign by designing an array of posters and flyers — which will be displayed in the school, distributed to parents, and promoted via the Park’s social media channels over the next month.

OTHER NEWS:

• Powys B&B owners triumph in Channel 4's Four in a Bed
• Powys woman who carried knife 'for protection' given suspended jail term
• Military units from across the world descend on Powys for gruelling exercise

Nicola Matthews, ECO- Co-ordinator for Mount Street Junior School said: "We are thrilled to be a part of this campaign with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park — not least because here at Mount Street, our pupils are passionate about caring for the environment.

“That’s why we have a dedicated Eco Club. The Club regularly discusses all manner of environmental topics — but it has been fascinating for them to learn about the ways that the Park is tackling the river crisis.”

“Nurturing a deep-rooted love and responsibility for these special, familiar places will surely benefit Welsh rivers and ecosystems for generations to come. We’re very excited about helping to raise awareness.”

As part of the campaign, the public are being encouraged to demonstrate their love for the rivers via an online pledge.

In 2022, 67 per cent of the Wye and 88 per cent of the Usk failing to meet phosphate targets the National park and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park claim minimising the impact of household and business waste is just one small step towards tackling the river crisis.

The park has said it is conducting intensive work to address and find solutions to other, more major contributing factors which involves working in close collaboration with farmers, water companies, the Welsh Government, and organisations like Natural Resources Wales.

Paul Sinnadurai, Senior Ecologist at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “Here at the National Park, we recognise the importance of collective action in preserving the natural beauty and health of the Rivers Usk and Wye. That’s why it’s so important for us to devise high-level solutions with water companies and farmers, while simultaneously encouraging the local community to join the cause at a grassroots level.

“We know how much the people of the Bannau care for the rivers so it’s great to be amplifying this — and sharing the seemingly small ways that they can support our mission, from work or home. For example, only using eco-friendly cleaning products and refraining from washing kitchen waste down the drain.”