08/08/2005 - The Environment
Agency is looking forward to attending the
biggest ever Hampshire Water Festival in Winchester
on Saturday 13 August.
Now in its third year, the Festival is a chance
to celebrate the various essential roles that
water has in our everyday lives, the issues
that surround it and how we all can protect
this vital natural resource.
Agency staff will be hosting a number of
events with attractions including the very
popular angling initiative at the Environment
Agency’s Fishing Village at Riverside Park
near the Leisure Centre.
Budding anglers can have a go at dry fly-fishing
and meet members of the Agency’s Fisheries
team to learn how to catch the one that doesn’t
get away at Judge’s Lake.
The Agency will be at the Guildhall to promote
life in rivers and their water abstraction
strategies for the Rivers Test and Itchen
and also the New Forest, which seek to create
a balance between the water needs of both
people and the environment. Children will
also be able to try pond-dipping so they can
learn about the life that thrives within these
watercourses. Groups and organisations such
as the Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust, RSPB,
WWF and Hampshire Bat Group are among others
that will also be in attendance on the day.
Kim Newton, Environment Agency External Relations
Officer, said: "We are really looking
forward to the Festival, especially as last
year’s event was so successful. It’s going
to be a very fun and educational day with
lots of activities on offer for the whole
family to enjoy.
"We hope that people will come along
and meet Agency staff who will be happy to
offer advice on saving and protecting water.
The Festival is free and open to all, so we
look forward to meeting lots of visitors on
the day."
At the Festival you can also shop for organic
wines, beers, soaps and detergents along with
books and plants. There you can also enjoy
music and craft workshops, story telling and
live music. The water-themed Film Festival
in the Conference Chamber will also be showing
the very highly acclaimed documentary "Beneath
the Waves". Fun activities on offer will
include a photo competition.
It will also be open day at the National
Trust’s City Mill and there will be guided
walks along the River Itchen. Various other
marquees will also be there along with the
official Festival charity WaterAid.
For more information, ring the Festival hotline
on 0208 028 0888 or visit the website: www.hampshireswater.org.uk/festival.html
