PAC president to speak in Somerset

PAC president Phil Wakeford will be speaking in Somerset on Thursday, January 24.

Venue is the Swan Inn at North Petherton, just off the M5 at Junction 24. Start time 7:30 for 8:00.
This show is open to anyone, free to regional PAC members, £3 to non regional members and £2 for under 16's.

New group to protect Westcountry rivers

A new partnership has been formed to look after Somerset's three main river systems.

The new organisation, co-ordinated by Somerset County Council, will address issues affecting the Parrett, Axe and Brue and their catchments.

With climate change presenting unprecedented challenges, the partnership will look at all issues impacting on the communities, landscapes, economies and ecologies of the three rivers with a focus on community involvement and participation.

There will now be a series of events for parish councils, the farming community and other interest groups such as anglers to meet with water managers and hear about water-related topics and activities in their local area.

Hazel Prior-Sankey, chair of the new partnership, said: "This partnership will provide a platform for debating issues and striving to seek a consensus on the best way forward to meet the challenges ahead. It will also identify and implement projects that would not otherwise be feasible for single organisations to deliver on their own."

Steve Dury, the council's project manager, said: "According to the latest climate change figures the risk of flooding looks to increase, and there will be other impacts including increased risk of sediment and pollution runoff into watercourses..

"This new partnership aims to manage flood risk and water management in a more sustainable way through partnership and consensus, the pooling of resources and skills, and recognising and maximising opportunities."

For more information about the new partnership, the forthcoming community meetings and how you can get involved, contact Steve Dury on 01823 355170.

Pike Angler of the Year heads west

Pike Angler of the Year Rob Christen will be presenting a thought-provoking talk on his take on pike fishing at a Somerset Levels Region meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 21).

It's all happening at the Swan Inn, North Petherton, which is just off Junction 24 of the M5. All welcome, non regional members £3, under 16's £2. Start time 7:30 for 8pm.

There will also be a bring and buy sale where you can flog your unwanted kit!

Fen doyen Rodders heads west for talk

Fenland piker Steve "Rodders" Rodwell travels west to present a talk to the Somerset Levels region on Wednesday, January 17.

While best-known for his catches on Norfolk's Fen drains and rivers, you can expect plenty of laughs and anecdotes along the way from one of pike fishing's true characters.

The evening gets under way in the Swan Inn, North Petherton, at 7.30pm for 8pm. Admission is free to PAC regional members, £3 non regional members, £2 under 16's.

The venue is just off the A38 between Taunton and Bridgwater, close to Junction 24 of the M5.

For more details of events in the Somerset Levels area, click here to see their blog.