The River Lambourn is a classic chalk stream running through Berkshire, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) because of its importance as a habitat for rare varieties of flora and fauna.

After hundreds of years of human use, the stretch of the river running through Newbury had badly degraded. The RENEWAL project set out to restore it to a healthy condition, using HLF funding to engage local people, increase their awareness of the heritage importance of the river and get them involved in its ongoing conservation.

Over the course of the project, local schoolchildren hatched trout in the classroom and collected field data through a specially-commissioned smartphone app; a strong volunteer group trained in habitat maintenance was built up; and talks and presentations promoted the river’s story throughout the region.

New interpretation along the banks, along with improvements to accessibility, opened up the river to new generations of residents, as well as restoring it for older ones. The establishment of strong connections with local groups, as well as a comprehensive website, have ensured that the Lambourn has lastingly been brought back into the heart of its community.

A local resident noted: “People are connected to the river now. At the start it was so overgrown you couldn’t see the river. There’s so little rubbish these days. People can see the benefits now and see all the wildlife there. It’s great to see people fishing too.”