The charity, River 2015 is now officially River Holme Connections
Although most people know us by our public name of River Holme Connections, until this month our official charity name was River 2015.
Our charity was established in 2015, with the aim of cleaning up and improving the River Holme environment, and improving access to allow people to connect with the river and nature. At the time the name River 2015 encapsulated what our charity was about.
Since this time, however, we’ve grown in scope and reach. We’ve implemented six-figure structural improvements projects, and improved access and the river environment for people and wildlife. In 2017 we started using the name River Holme Connections as our public name. Following a successful application to the Charities Commission, we’ve now officially changed our charity name to match our public name.
Our River Steward, Simon Hirst explains:
“The name River Holme Connections is more representative of the work that we do; making connections with partner organisations, businesses and people to make the River Holme catchment a better environment for all. As most of our volunteers and partners know us as River Holme Connections it was a logical step to change the official charity name to match.”
Over the past five years, Wmade huge improvements to the River Holme catchment. Together with volunteers, partner organisations, including Kirklees Council, and funding from various sources (Cobbett Environmental Ltd, via the Landfill Communities Fund, and Cummins Foundation) we’ve invested almost £250,000 in river improvement projects.
Our work has included, among other projects, refurbishing the Duck Feeding Area in Holmfirth, installing an all-weather accessible path at Sands Recreation Ground, Holmfirth, improving paths at Bottoms Mill, creating a new picnic area at Meltham Pleasure Grounds and improving signage and seating areas at Spa Wood in Lockwood.
We’ve also improved biodiversity by treating invasive non-native species (INNS) throughout the catchment. This included training volunteers in the safe use of pesticides, who then helped to treat Japanese knotweed along 20km of riverbank.
Under our new official charity name of River Holme Connections, our river and environmental improvement work will continue.
Volunteers are always welcome and more information about events by visiting our events page or emailing riversteward@riverholmeconnections.org.
