Autumn 2025
Dear Friends, Followers & Supporters
Is it tempting providence to suggest that the subject of water – in all its contexts – does finally seem to be moving up the agenda? On Thursday 24th July, the House of Lords cross-party Environment and Climate Change Committee published The Nitrogen: time to reduce, recycle, reuse report, which suggests that the majority of ammonia and nitrous oxide pollution to air, and nitrate pollution to water, comes from the agricultural sector. Although the report is England-based, the recommendations apply across the country. You can read the report here: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ldselect/ldenvcl/161/161.pdf
Phase 2 of C-CAP (Cleddau Catchment Assessment Project) has come to an end. This catchment-wide water testing programme was an epic effort and a fantastic example of citizen science involving 90 volunteers testing in 49 sites, twice a month for 12 months. This translates into 24 Sundays, 4,000 volunteer hours & 6,700 measurements! With the support of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, two undergraduate student placements have been analysing the data over the summer. We’ve also applied for NRW grant funding to commission a full, comprehensive report which will convert this huge effort into a tangible campaigning tool. This work will take a few months to complete.
Phase 3 of C-CAP is getting underway; a smaller version of what’s gone before, with fewer test sites but with the addition of Riverfly monitoring, the presence (or absence) of which are good indicators of river health. You can find out about Riverfly here https://www.riverflies.org/
The ‘My River’ educational and community programme continues at pace with 15 primary schools visited this term. This brings the total number of schools involved to 27 (so far) and some 1,500+ children engaged with ‘their’ river in the classroom with river-related workshops, author visits, on source to sea trips and boat trips on the haven. We’re delighted that local author Nicola Davies has written a beautiful poem – in conjunction with the pupils of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi – specially for ‘My River’ which we will post on this site shortly. On 4th July, Year 6 pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Croesgoch, Roch and others transitioning from primary to secondary school in September, participated in a special service at St David’s Cathedral where they recited the poem and made pledges to the environment, presided over by the Deacon. Meanwhile, The Cleddau Project has applied for new funding to secure the on-going schools programme. Fingers crossed!
Over the course of the summer representatives from The Cleddau Project have held meetings with Paul Davies (MS for Preseli Pembrokeshire), Sam Kurtz (MS for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire), Eluned Morgan and Huw Irranca-Davies. TCP continues to push actively local & Welsh Government for improvements in farming practices, pollution monitoring and regulation. The group is also actively engaged in highlighting the failing performance of NRW in responding effectively to pollution incidents as well as its lack of prosecution of offenders. With Senedd elections in 2026 and politicians looking for votes, it’s vital to state strenuously the case for the Cleddau and the widespread concern felt by the people of Pembrokeshire. To this end, The Cleddau Project is composing a Cleddau manifesto for distribution to vote-seeking candidates.
The group is also taking part in regular discussions with the Nutrient Management Board, local environmental protection groups and other water campaign groups to coordinate an effective action plan.
Thank you to everyone who has given hours of volunteering time, ‘joined us’ via the website and followed us on Facebook & Instagram. Your ideas, experience, expertise and offers of help are always welcome; please contact us at info@thecleddauproject.org.uk.
Thank you.