Dolphins, plastic pollution, newts, birds, flood protection, worms … the Rye Community Centre on Saturday became a hotbed of enthusiastic promotion of a wide range of environmental activities by a range of committed people.
The Love Our Rother event was held  as part of Strandliners’ Preventing Plastic Pollution project in the Rother catchment. Over 100 people from the local community came together to meet the various organisations with their displays and activities, hear the speakers, watch short films, and discover many different ways to show our environment some love. The event included a live litter survey, with rubbish collected from the banks of the River Rother, in which the audience was invited to take part. A key speaker was Gonzalo Alvarez, Chair of the United Nations Association, Climate and Oceans, who spoke of the climate impact of plastic pollution. Strandliners is now an Ocean Ambassador for the UK, and Andy Dinsdale accepted a certificate on their behalf.
A steady flow of attendees were welcomed, educated  and entertained via a mix of displays, talks and activities all aimed at raising awareness and involvement in monitoring and protecting our environment.
It is highly motivating to see such a variety of organisations caring deeply about how to protect and improve our environment and attempting to inform and involve the wider Rye community in their activities.
Strandliners would like to express its appreciation for all the organisers and enthusiastic volunteers that made the event possible, including UNA Climate and Oceans, Sussex Dolphin Project, South East Rivers Trust, Sussex Underwater, Marine Conservation Society, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Rother District Council, Environment Agency, Rother Voluntary Action, Rother Environmental Group, Sussex Greenways, Rye Community Garden, RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre and the Rother Green Party.
The Love Our Rother event was funded by The Rivers Trust, Sea Changers, Rother District Council and a local donor as part of the Preventing Plastic Pollution project.
If you weren’t able to come don’t hesitate to visit their websites and find out how you too can get involved in the vital process of conserving our environment.
Image Credits: Dominic Manning , Dena Smith Ellis , Andy Dinsdale , Peter Connock .
I went along to this event with Si McGurk. I was aware of Strandliners through Andy Dinsdale doing a presentation to Rye Town Council, where he secured a grant from us for this most worthwhile initiative. Andy’s knowledge and enthusiasm is inspirational. I was really impressed with all the other groups and organisations also present; including Mallydams Wild Animal sanctuary, compost making, REG, among others. Plus demonstration of the types of things collected by Strandliners and a Video. A thoroughly interesting and interactive event. We had a great time and learned loads about these initiates. A massive thank you to all for their work and sharing it with all. Can’t wait for the opportunity to see the next event.
I was lucky enough to attend the event and it was such a positive day. That ‘1,2,3…’ and tip of the litter collected by Strandliners volunteers from just 100m of river was eye opening. Wow – talk about a plastic tide. So, huge thanks to the Strandliners especially and great to see other invited groups talking about and sharing their conservation/ecology work. Truly, a community in action. (Plus: ace chippie in town so thanks, Rye!)