BFER July Newsletter 2023

Welcome to the BFER newsletter

Guest Blog: Summertime swimming (out in the wild!)  

By BFER Volunteer Laura Lovelock 

(Image credit: Laura Lovelock)

I love wild swimming. It’s a re-discovered love, for me. I spent my childhood summers in France, swimming in gorges and lakes and rivers. And so, last summer, when I started swimming outdoors again, it felt like coming home.

My favourite place to swim at the moment is in the Lark. It’s a chalk stream, where the water runs clear and cool, emerging from under the shade of a bridge to form a flowing pool which gets shallower further downstream. When I’m swimming there, I feel like a frog, propelling myself against the current.

There are almost always people there. It’s a nice feeling, sharing a wild space with strangers. And there’s something uninhibited about swimming outdoors, something which transcends the usual self-consciousness. In the river, we’re all small parts of something bigger. We swim alongside the fish; we share the air with the dragonflies and the wagtail. And we all belong there. The river is for us all.

Of course, I haven’t mentioned the cold water part yet. The truth is, cold water swimming is all the things people who love it say it is (and I’m sure you’ll know all the research). It is relaxing. It is addictive. And it really does feel amazing afterwards. There is nothing else quite like sitting quietly on the bank at dusk in summer after a swim, your skin cold under a sweatshirt.

But really, you have to experience it for yourself. You have to go and find that nervous feeling just before you step into cold water, and take that first gasp when you get your shoulders under. And when it is done, when you are immersed and swimming, smile to yourself. This is a good place to be.

Some good resources to get you started with wild swimming in Suffolk: 

Wild Suffolk Swimmers and Outdoor Swimming in Breckland on Facebook

Imogen’s River Swims website

Outdoor Swimming Society website

Wild Guide to London & South East book

Wild Swimming Walks – South East book

4.4 – Healing Waters: Breathe in the Brecks

At the start of June, BFER and Run Breckland marked National Volunteers Week with an event day on Thetford’s riverside. The event celebrated healthy outdoor activity, with a 2k and 5k riverside route which was walked, jogged, or ran by 89 participants. As a thank you to the many amazing volunteers that support both Run Breckland and BFER, volunteers were invited to join in free of charge, and received a goody bag. Following the activity, participants enjoyed a picnic on the riverside green.

“Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation – such a fantastic event! Lovely event for my comeback run! Loved every minute of it!” (Participant feedback)

Following from its launch last year, Run Breckland held the second annual Mildenhall 2k and 5k Riverside Run. 70 participants braved the warm weather for this friendly community event which took place at Jubilee Fields and along the River Lark. Find out more about Run Breckland’s autumn events HERE

“Such a lovely friendly event…no pressure and a really lovely relaxed feel…thank you all involved” 

“As a proud resident of Mildenhall it was great to see an event here in the town and along the river” (Participant feedback) 

4.5 – Volunteer & Engagement Programme

(Images Credit: Thetford Photography)

(Vikings Odger and Ulf engaging pupils at Stanton Community Primary School)

In Other News

Get River Positive Funding

Webinar on how to apply for funding: Friday 14th July 2023.
If you are interested in attending please get in touch

Anglian Water have joined forces with Severn Trent to Get River Positive by 2030, working collaboratively to drive real action and make the changes we all want to see for a better future for our rivers and environment.

More detail on Get River Positive can be found here:  https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/environment/river-health/

The Get River Positive partnership has committed to:

• Ensure storm overflows and sewage treatment works do not harm rivers
• Create more opportunities for everyone to enjoy our region’s rivers
• Support others to improve and care for rivers
• Enhance our rivers and create new habitats so wildlife can thrive
• Be open and transparent about our performance and our plans

The Five Get River Positive Commitments are outlined below:

Our Get River Positive commitments are among many important drivers for our work on water resources and wastewater management. Our pledges will be fully reflected in critical plans and programmes, including those for Water Resources Management, Drainage and Wastewater Management, Pollution Incident Reduction, and for the Water Industry National Environment Programme.

Get River Positive Fund:
As part of the Get River Positive initiative, we have a Get River Positive Fund that can be applied for to carry out work within the Anglian region that helps us to meet one or more of our Get River Positive Commitments.

Q: What is the deadline? Currently there is no deadline – the panel meets monthly to review and approve applications, and you should expect to have an update within 28 working days. Depending on the number of applications, submission windows may be introduced, but we will ensure this is communicated.

Q: Can organisations apply for more than one project? Organisations can apply for more than one project.

Q: What are the funding requirements? Projects are asked to be match funded of an equal amount with other partners, so that Anglian Water is not the sole funder.

Q: When does the money have to be spent? This is subject to legal agreement, but generally we would expect the money to be spent within the year requested. However, you could apply in this year and ask for the funds in the next business year.

If you have any questions about Get River Positive or the fund, ring: 07773 62372 or email getriverpositive@anglianwater.co.uk for more information.

Volunteer with us!

BFER Blogger Volunteer – BFER is launching a new blog as part of its website and is seeking Blogging Volunteers to assist in writing engaging articles and content. BFER will use blog posts to reach both new and existing audiences. The BFER Blog will report on the diverse range of exciting heritage, wildlife, wellbeing, and art projects and events taking place across the BFER scheme.

BFER PR & Social Media Volunteer – We are looking for a driven PR & Social Media Volunteer to attract and interact with new and existing audiences. Volunteers should have a solid understanding of how each social media channel works and how to optimize content so that it is engaging on those channels.

BFER Video Editor Volunteer – Can you create and edit videos suitable for websites and social media? We are looking for a video editors to help create, edit and deliver content for our social media platforms, YouTube and Website.

BFER Events & Activities Helper – Events and Activities Helpers assist with one-off BFER events and activity opportunities throughout the year. Participants of these events hugely benefit from and value their interactions with volunteers. Volunteers serve as a ‘friendly face’ representing BFER: engaging visitors and participants, and generally being warm and helpful.

If you are interested in any of the above volunteer roles, please get in touch: BFER.admin@suffolk.gov.uk