Autumn 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends, Followers and Supporters

After weeks of drought the fields have more or less returned to their normal vibrant green. According to NRW, river flows in south-west Wales have responded well to recent rainfall and are approaching “normal flows” for the time of year.

But the record-breaking summer weather has highlighted just how vulnerable our rivers are, with very low flows adding to all the other pressures they already face. Sections of the Western Cleddau recorded their lowest ever water levels this summer, which is deeply alarming. There is a good article from Afonydd Cymru about the situation. You can read this here: Lowest Recorded River Levels Wales

Part of the solution lies in managing our land and soils better, so that they retain more water and allow it to seep out more evenly throughout the year. This could help reduce the extreme peaks and troughs in river flows that currently contribute to many of the problems our rivers face. Low river flows also have implications for water quality. When water levels fall, the balance and concentration of nutrients and chemicals in the river can change. This increases the potential impact of pollutants such as “forever chemicals”, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants.

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Salmon Stocks in Freefall

The 2025 Salmon Stock Assessment continues to highlight the dramatic decline of this iconic species. Catch numbers in the UK were 58% below recent averages, underlining the continuing pressure on salmon and sewin populations. You can read Afonydd Cymru’s reportage here: Afonydd Cymru Salmon Stocks

The Eastern and Western Cleddau remain classified as AT RISK, along with the other Welsh rivers included in the assessment.

The full report can be found here: Salmon Stock Assessment England & Wales 2025.
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Building the Evidence Through Citizen Science

Gathering evidence through citizen science remains our main volunteer-led activity.

After 3 years of continuous testing, we have amassed an invaluable body of data – far in excess of the monitoring currently carried out by NRW. However, there remains a deep resistance at the regulator to formally accept citizen-science data as evidence that can help shape decision-making. But as our methods and skills continue to develop, our results are beginning to display credible and consistent patterns which correlate with the more sporadic formal monitoring and evidence that is available. And as the body of evidence grows, it becomes increasingly powerful — and increasingly difficult to ignore.

The 12 months of data gathered by TCP volunteers in 2024/25 (CCAP) was crunched and written up into a report by Prof Paul Withers of Lancaster University. Paul came down to Pembrokeshire to present his findings at Haverhub in May. It was helpful for the volunteer surveyors to hear his take on the data gathered, the methodology used, and the importance of continuing with water testing to grow the bank of evidence which shows that the Cleddau continues to fail.

Prof Paul Withers Presents CCAP Report at Haverhub May 2026.
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The Phosphorous Problem

An audience of 100 plus – including farmers, agricultural businesses, eNGOs, regulators, Welsh Water, politicians, councillors and other stakeholders – convened at Hook Sports and Social Club in April to hear Prof Paul Withers and colleagues report on RePhoKUs, a major new study of the sources and underlying causes of phosphrous (P) pollution in the Cleddau catchment. The research, jointly commissioned by TCP and the Nutrient Management Board (funded by the NMB), revealed that farms across the catchment generate an annual surplus of 360 tonnes of P. In a nutshell, far more P arrives on farms in the form of feed and fertiliser than leaves the farm in the form of meat and milk. Not only does most of the surplus P end up in the already phosphorous-saturated soils and watercourses; it’s also money down the drain for farmers. A lively Q&A session rounded up a fascinating event and a good example of collaboration between multiple partners. It also got airtime at the Royal Welsh Show and some nice press coverage! Western Telegraph

Ric Cooper – who drove the RePhoKUs project – has spoken at lots of events over the summer, including the Royal Welsh, Groundswell & Nature Friendly Farming. You can listen to Ric talking to Lee Trulove of First Milk here: Ric with First Milk at Groundswell.
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Legacy Phosphorous in our Soils – and Volunteers Needed

As a follow on from RePhoKUs, the NMB has commissioned Lancaster University (LU) to undertake an analysis of soil nutrients in the Cleddau catchment. The ambition is to identify a clear soil phosphorus (P) level above which further build-up of surplus or ‘legacy’ P could increase the risk of P being released into watercourses as the soil becomes saturated. Also to identify which site-specific factors might influence this threshold.

And they are looking for volunteers over autumn/winter 2026. This involves 1-2 days of soil sampling at pre-determined sites and fields, with full training provided by Lancaster University. No previous experience is necessary and the task is not physically demanding. However, you will need a general level of fitness, be able to bend down to collect samples and carry buckets of soil for short distances. If you’d like to get involved in this important work, please email WWNMB@Carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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River Guardians of the Future 

Twenty-seven primary schools have now benefitted from The Cleddau Project’s ‘My River’ initiative, which introduces children to their part of the Cleddau and why it’s important to love and protect it. The ambition is to reach all 52 primary schools in Pembrokeshire over the next couple of years. Alongside, and with thanks to funding from the Bluestone Foundation, Jayne Etherington is developing a more sustainable cluster training model – with input from other local educationalists – to equip teachers to deliver ‘My River’ themselves. Four cluster training events have now been lined up this autumn with 16 schools taking part. It’s hoped to roll out ‘My River’ to secondary schools in the near future.

Meanwhile the quest for fresh funding is on-going!

Jayne presents ‘My River’ to St Teilo’s RC School, Tenby