We at the Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2025.
Looking back over 2024, our charity has really progressed due to the generous funding by our key sponsors such a Wells & Co Brewery, the National Highways and Bedford Borough Council.
This significant funding has allowed us to seek out the best support and assistance to purchase and deploy the 24/7 monitoring equipment called sondes so that we can actively monitor the Ouse for a range of contaminants including, sewage.
Nitrates, phosphates and E.coli – with the mission to keep our wonderful river – the Jewel in the Crown of Bedford and beyond, safe to all leisure users. With over 30 volunteers monitoring the situation, we are now in a good place to do just that.
Part of our mission is to look at educating the younger generation, to help them understand the dangers associated with contaminated water.
We held a presentation with around 50 head teachers to explain our work and to see how best we can help their pupils’ understanding, with the aim of inspiring young people to get involved with nature and safeguarding the environment and to add an extra dimension to the existing curriculum.
We have also partnered with other active environmental organisations such as Surfers against Sewage and have offered our support to other start-up projects that wish to monitor their section of the Great Ouse.
Plans for 2025
In 2025, we are looking to continue to evolve and build on our strong foundations.
This includes:
- Continuing to provide evidence and report on the contamination of the Great Ouse and work with the Environment Agency and others to put pressure on ensuring that our waters are made safe and to stop any further pollution.
- We hope to work with local educationalists to encourage our younger generation to get actively involved with their environment by offering field trips and projects to enhance their understanding.
- We will strengthen our existing partnerships as well as actively seek new like-minded organisations, so that we can learn and work together more effectively.
- As our work progresses, we hope to encourage new volunteers to assist us with the testing, education and general activities relating to a science citizen charity. If you are interested, please contact Henry Lafferty.
Chair, Alan Horn, says: “Overall, we see 2025 as being a major year for us and the Great Ouse, we hope to keep your support and interest and will keep you updated of our events and progress through this monthly column and social media.
“Our new website will be online soon.’
To find out more please contact us through our Facebook page.
- For volunteering opportunities: email: Henry Lafferty henry.lafferty@BedsGOVET.org
- For education opportunities: email Alison Symonds Alison.symonds@BedsGOVET.org
The Bedford Independent is proud to support BedsGOVET in their
vital work to monitor water quality in the River Great Ouse
and provide them with space for a column as
part of their Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign.
