Summer holiday #fun on the Grand Union Canal. Heat getting to you? Head out of town, the countryside is cooler.

Probably the biggest threat to any river system in the UK is #Heathrow’s disastrous proposals to build on top of, divert and merge 5 rivers for nearly 2km ...

Yesterday was a bad day for the Colne Valley Regional Park: Bucks Council approved TWO motorway service areas within its boundaries. No consideration was given to the joint impact of these significantly large schemes, or of other neighbouring developments in #chalfontstpeter and #iver.

Who wants to spend their precious weekend removing floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the River Colne? Fortunately, this willing bunch of #volunteers do: they got stuck in on Saturday 18th July and did just that.

Why Not Take a Walk at #Wraysbury and Ankwerwycke? A circular walk steeped in history, with beautiful views of local lakes, wildlife and the Thames. 2 pubs en route: The George & The Perseverance #Windsor #Staines. details and map here www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Great to hold our Board meeting this week in #Harmondsworth Great Barn. The architectural gem of the Colne Valley Regional Park dates back to 1426: a mediaeval building described by Sir John Betjeman as 'the Cathedral of Middlesex'.

Another fantastic day of action at #LittleBritainLake, #Uxbridge We were delighted to be joined by #volunteers from London Borough of Hillingdon, Colne Valley Park, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners for a busy day making a real difference for nature and our local community.

Join the Big Butterfly Count in #Denham on 28th July 10am or 1pm #Free family event. Become a citizen scientist and help butterflies thrive! 🌼 Book your place: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/big-butter... #BigButterflyCount #FamilyFun #NatureLovers @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Big Butterfly Count in Denham – FREE Family event

Join us for a fun and relaxed family day in Denham, the field on The Pyghtle – next to Denham Station Underpass.

eventbrite.co.uk

The #GreenBelt is vital for combating #ClimateChange offering a substantial ‘green lung’ for climate resilience, carbon off-setting and a cool, green and blue retreat from the urban heat #COP29 www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/green-belt-w... #heatwave #london Mayor of London #heatreadylondon

Green Belt: Why it matters - Colne Valley Regional Park

We take a closer look at the Green Belt and try to explain more about the crucially important role it plays in maintaining a balance between the environment in which we live, and the containment and m...

colnevalleypark.org.uk

If you’re in #Uxbridge, take a stroll to #Denham Country Park and Denham Deep Lock up the Grand Union Canal from The Swan & Bottle. It doesn’t take long, and you’ll be a world away from the hustle and bustle of town. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/locations/de... @visitlondon.bsky.social #London

If you find yourself in difficulty in water @london-fire.bsky.social advise use of the "float to live" approach. This technique, involves tilting the head back to submerge the ears, and spreading the arms and legs wide, while regaining control of breathing. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

RNLI teaches BBC South presenter 'Float to Live' technique

BBC South presenter Edward Sault learns a life-saving technique with the RNLI in Poole.

bbc.co.uk

London Fire Brigade warn of risks swimming in London's waterways. Advice equally applicable to the Colne Catchment, in particular children as term ends amid the continuing hot weather. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @london-fire.bsky.social

LFB warns of risks swimming in rivers, reservoirs and lakes

The London Fire Brigade says there can be strong currents, hidden debris and sudden drops in depth.

bbc.co.uk

We hope this Private Members Bill will increase awareness of our chalk streams, which are all at risk from pollution and abstraction. The UK is home to 85% of the world's chalk streams: clear waterways teeming with unique wildlife. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Would Unesco status help protect Wiltshire's rare chalk streams?

Chalk streams, including Wiltshire's River Wylye, are under threat – but there is a plan to help them.

bbc.co.uk

The Ivers Summer Fete & Picnic is on Saturday 18th July at Iver Village Rec. This is now a local tradition and the big event that everyone is looking forward to – Adults, kids, seniors, juniors, teenagers, families, dogs, even the birds and the trees. www.ivra.org.uk/event/summer...

The approval of 975 houses at #ChalfontStPeter was the 2nd planning appeal in the Colne Valley approved by government in just one month – following on from the immense data centre near #Colnbrook. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Chalfont St Peter Green belt land to sell for epilepsy research

The Epilepsy Society says the sale would raise about £93m, which will fund research.

bbc.co.uk

#volunteers wanted to join @gwksouth.bsky.social at 10am on Saturday 18th July for a hands-on day removing floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the River Colne in #Denham Country Park. Please help tackle this insidious invasive species. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/invasive-s...

Invasive species removal on the River Colne

A hands-on day of removing floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the River Colne.

eventbrite.co.uk

Thanks to a hard morning’s work by these #volunteers from @CocaColaEP, the vegetation overhanging this footpath has been cut back and it has been litter picked. The footpath runs from #Uxbridge to #Denham Country Park near the A40. Morning organised by @Colne_Valley Green Team @gwksouth.bsky.social

A fascinating talk from an entertaining speaker in a cool place! The Museums and Archives have air con. Don't miss this!

Colne Valley Regional Park@colnevalley.bsky.social · last mo.

Talk by John Whitby about the Colne Valley Regional Park: its challenges and opportunities, at Hillingdon Museum and Archives at 11am on Friday 10th July. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/events/colne...

#volunteers wanted to do some clearing up at Little Britain Lake #Uxbridge @Hillingdon at 10am on Tuesday 21st July. Bring your gloves & enthusiasm for #conservation tasks including litter picking. #GiveBackToNature. No experience needed. Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/litter-bli...

Plans for data centres have become one of the biggest threats facing the Colne Valley Regional Park. Listen to this podcast for the facts about what they are doing to your local countryside: geographical.co.uk/podcasts/on-... @geographical.co.uk

On The Ground: Cloudtown, the village at the heart of the AI gold rush

In Episode 4 of On the Ground, we investigate the sudden surge of data centres planned for England's Green Belt land

geographical.co.uk

While we make the most of the sunny weather, sadly the #heatwave is not ok for UK nature and wildlife: rivers get overheated and flows depleted, pollution even worse than usual. Don’t be tempted to swim where there could be hidden dangers including underwater hazards and pollution.

NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day. What a great idea! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... So what you’ll be needing now is ideas for local walks. You’re welcome 😊 www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/things-to-do... #freshair #exercise #GetWalking #GetOutside @england.nhs.uk

Do you think that some development, if well planned, should fund restoration of the Colne Valley? www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/we-can-be-a-... #ChalfontStPeter #GerrardsCross #Denham #iver #Colnbrook #Wraysbury #Horton #Batchworth #Harefield #MapleCross #stanwell #Ickenham #WestDrayton #Yiewsley

Colne Valley can be a national example of how growth can lead to restoration of the landscape - Colne Valley Regional Park

We have written to Matthew Pennycook, Minister for Housing and Planning, to thank him for his stated support for the Colne Valley Regional Park, invite him to visit: see the unintended consequences of...

colnevalleypark.org.uk

Talk by John Whitby about the Colne Valley Regional Park: its challenges and opportunities, at Hillingdon Museum and Archives at 11am on Friday 10th July. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/events/colne...

Recent planning appeals in the Colne Valley Regional Park can be summarised as: government agrees there is an impact, then waves development through anyway, without mitigation. www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/we-can-be-a-...

Colne Valley can be a national example of how growth can lead to restoration of the landscape - Colne Valley Regional Park

We have written to Matthew Pennycook, Minister for Housing and Planning, to thank him for his stated support for the Colne Valley Regional Park, invite him to visit: see the unintended consequences of...

colnevalleypark.org.uk

The Ivers Summer Fete & Picnic is on Saturday 18th July at Iver Village Rec. This is now a local tradition and the big event that everyone is looking forward to – Adults, kids, seniors, juniors, teenagers, families, dogs, even the birds and the trees. www.ivra.org.uk/event/summer...

Another day, another data centre, and there is an unusually heavy deluge of them in #Iver. Learn more about what these energy-guzzling behemoths can do to your local countryside: geographical.co.uk/podcasts/on-... @geographical.co.uk

On The Ground: Cloudtown, the village at the heart of the AI gold rush

In Episode 4 of On the Ground, we investigate the sudden surge of data centres planned for England's Green Belt land

geographical.co.uk

#volunteers wanted to join @gwksouth.bsky.social at 10am on Saturday 18th July for a hands-on day removing floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the River Colne in #Denham Country Park. More details here @InvasiveSp www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/invasive-s...

Invasive species removal on the River Colne

A hands-on day of removing floating pennywort from a heavily infested section of the River Colne.

eventbrite.co.uk

#volunteers wanted to do some clearing up at Little Britain Lake #Uxbridge @Hillingdon at 10am on Tuesday 21st July. Bring your gloves & enthusiasm for #conservation tasks including litter picking. #GiveBackToNature. No experience needed. Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/litter-bli...

Still buzzing from the Colne Connections Conference last Thursday at #Denham Grove Hotel. Thank you to the 90 delegates who gave up their valuable time to come and engage and support so enthusiastically. Many interesting ideas shared.