Love Our Ouse

14/10/2026

🌟Exciting news🌟
Coming to Lewes in 2027!

We’ve been awarded a grant from Lewes Town Council to support the delivery of the Yellow Fish project with young people across schools and youth groups following successful workshops in Newhaven and in Landport, Lewes this year.

Yellow fish is a fantastic national scheme to raise awareness about sources of water pollution and quality of our rivers. Fish are stencilled next to drains to remind people that what is put down a drain impacts aquatic life.

We have developed the project even further to provide a whole day of Ousey educational fun to connect young people with their local waterways and learn about they can do to turn the tide on the health of the river
🐟 Whole school assemblies to learn all about the river and it's amazing species
🐟 Drain pollution interactive lessons - causes, effects, identification & solutions
🐟 Art works designs exploring the differences between healthy and unhealthy rivers
🐟 Create temporary drain street art on pavements near the school to spread the word to the wider community!

We look forward to sharing more next year 👏

03/10/2026

Really important coverage exposing the challenges of the Ouse Sea Trout which put this species at risk of extinction. Well done to everyone for the continued voice on behalf of this incredible fish, raising awareness and keeping up the pressure.

Further watching and great learning resource video via this link too:
https://youtu.be/q-sNiJIc_SI?is=JbwJnKQAJCM7vFwk

You can add your comments to the consultation of the Cooksbridge development under consideration by Lewes District Council. Info via Don’t Urbanise Hamsey website.
https://www.donturbanisehamsey.org/

💫 Efforts by Ouse Angling Preservation Association Stewart Allum, Dave Bangs- Landscapes for Freedom and many more.

Watch the latest from ITV News - Months of drought have left water levels in the few streams where the rare sea trout spawn perilously low

01/10/2026

💫TONIGHT! 💫

Connect with your local rare chalk stream in national poetry week!

We’re delighted to let you know about the Winterbourne Poetry event coming up by partners Chalk and Stream at Lewes Library on 1st October 6.30 - 7.30pm on the theme of 'Wonder'.

Celebrate the wonder of nature with readings from the poetry collection Winterbourne Poems, created in collaboration with Love Our Ouse. Lewes Library will also be sharing their annual collective poem on the theme of Wonder, written by visitors to Lewes Library in the preceding weeks. The event will include a 15 minute writing workshop so you can explore your own creativity and sense of wonder.

Suitable for ages 16 +
Free but booking is essential
https://eastsussex.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/EVSESENQ?SETLVL&RNI=2619869&fbclid=Iwb21leAUq9INleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHnZLzk4YaQ2X3VK3Wqz9TzMGOTLHQCn9dd4q9_jKXyvM8TTqDrEXXI-68ndb_aem_9Dq3u9UbP21X4s9rPKWGOw

The Winterbourne Poems project was been generously supported by The National Trust and the Changing Chalk Community Grants Scheme, and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Beautifully illustrated by Michelle Hockey

Olivia Sprinkel

29/09/2026

T h e R i v e r l u t i o n!
What a fantastic time was had at the Community River Day on Saturday 26th!

🎏The river charter ceremony & parade was a chance to read the charter aloud by the Sussex Ouse and it was touching to see so many people turn up to hear the wonderful readings by local community representatives and leaders.

🐟Mask making workshop making Kingfisher masks was visited by lots of children during the day whilst others made mullet fish out of willow.

📍The river community mapping workshop invited people to note their connections with particular places on the river whilst learning about how the river rights are being upheld and challenged in different ways.

📜A charter workshop upstairs explored how the River Charter could be used in practical ways to improve river health.

🌱Wild Words was a thought provoking and in depth talk on how language can shape and help restore our connections with nature with valuable contributions by Rebecca Stott, Jo Smallwood and Jackson Pickett.

🐦Excitingly we were blessed with special guest appearances from a Kingfisher and a Seal who popped up to see what was going on!! 🦭

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us to celebrate, learn and act for the river 💙🤍💚🤎

A HUGE thank you to the many volunteers, artists, contributors and supporters who made the day so special 🧡

Support & partners from Chalk Cliff Trust, South Downs National Park, Ouse Valley Climate Action, The National Lottery Community Fund ,

29/09/2026

***POSTPONED***
Barcombe Parish Council are hosting a great talk on Tuesday October 6th at Barcombe Village Hall at 7:30pm with Peter King from the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Dave Bangs and Stewart Allum from the Ouse Angling Preservation Society talking about the threats to the iconic Sussex Sea Trout.

27/09/2026

The Riverlution:
Ouse Charter Ceremony on Cliffe Bridge Lewes & parade
Saturday 26th September 2026

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate the Ouse River Rights Charter. The first to be formally recognised in England.

We give thanks to-

💚All those who read the charter out loud & and affirmed their pledge to the river

🤍 Nicky Blackwell for reading An Ode from the Ouse.

💙All the communities that have helped shape, craft and support the Charter to date

🤎 The Mullet and Ouse Valley Morris for leading the procession

🧡And of course the Ouse for being the watery thread that weaves us

It was an extremely special moment to honour and reflect upon the Charter's journey so far...
From 💧to 💦to 🌊

Join the movement - pledge your support and help turn the tide on the health of the river.
https://loveourouse.org/river-ouse-charter-pledge/

Charter reading organisational representatives 💫
Lewes District Council, Sussex Wildlife Trust, South Downs National Park, Newhaven Town Council, Lewes Town Council Ouse Valley Climate Action Lewes nature reserve Railway Land, Ringmer Parish Council, Lewes Climate Hub, Barcombe Parish Council, Rodmell Parish Council, Piddinghoe Parish Council, The Southwood Foundation, Green United





Photo credit: Willie Robb

26/09/2026

J o i n T h e R i v e r l u t i o n !
📢INTERNATIONAL RIVERS DAY! 📢
Sunday 27th September

🛶𝐋𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🛶
120 South St, Lewes BN7 2BS
11.00 to 16.00 FREE - drop in

Come and meet members of Lewes Rowing Club and learn about exploring the delights of our beautiful Ouse by boat. It is also a chance to see our new clubhouse, with its blend of traditional oak frame and modern cladding. You are sure of a warm welcome. Our site on South Street provides access to the tidal river Ouse for paddlers, rowers, motor boat owners and sailors, of all abilities. It has been home to Lewes boaters since 1874 💦

25/09/2026

🙌Fantastic sell out screening of Britain's Hidden Fishes screening with Q&A last night at Depot Cinema as part of the Riverlution festival organised by Love our Ouse.

128 people learning all about the incredible species across the country with a special spotlight on Ouse fish.

Jack Perks Jack Perk's film is packed with exceptionally beautiful footage and a treasure chest of learning from the depths.

Thanks to the local panel of life long Ouse anglers, nature advocates and fish 'fin'atics with an endless well of stories and insights. Thank you Steve Homewood, Nigel Greenwood & Peter Sells of Isflied & District Angling Association.

🐟 Underwater exploration of Ouse fish with Eel, Lamprey and Mullet stealing the limelight!

🐟 Insights into the many threats and challenges Ouse fish face

🐟 Revolutionary actions to turn the tide on the health of the river:

💧Increased education

💧Upscaling community eyes on the river - report concerns & photos to Environment Agency hotline number

💧Collaborative working across agencies

💧Opportunities through local government reorganisation focussing on local needs & decision making

Don't miss the Riverlution this weekend! Full listings on Love our Ouse's website.

Support & partners include Ouse Valley Climate Action, The National Lottery Community Fund, Chalk Cliff Trust, South Downs National Park

Photo credit: Willie Robb

25/09/2026

J o i n T h e R i v e r l u t i o n!
TOMORROW we have our wonderful Community River Day 🎏 Saturday 26th September

Start nice and early at 8𝘢𝘮 with 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲. 🐸Join our team of wildlife experts as we spot and record the migrating birds, insects and fish that rely on the river.
Learn the amazing stories behind their journeys and discover 𝘄𝗵𝘆, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.

Meet at Cliffe Bridge at 11𝘢𝘮 to pledge our love for the ouse and 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿. Flags will be provided for you to join us on a parade through town to the Linklater Pavilion to continue the festivities 🎏

𝘊 𝘰 𝘮 𝘮 𝘶 𝘯 𝘪 𝘵 𝘺 𝘈 𝘤 𝘵 𝘪 𝘷 𝘪 𝘵 𝘪 𝘦 𝘴
12.00-17.00 Linklater Pavilion, Railway Land, Lewes (Free, drop in anytime 🥳)

Learn all about the threats and challenges rivers, tributaries and species face through the lens of the River Rights Charter and contribute your local knowledge, concerns and hopes for a thriving Ouse community.
🌊 Community River mapping
💧 Find the lost river
🐟 Speak to the Mullet Oracle
💚 Pledge your support on the Boat of Hopes
💙 Weave a fish
🤍 Make a kingfisher mask
🎨 Live migration mural painting

Charter Workshop and Wild Words talk!
...tea and cake! 🍰

Check out the full programme on our website.

Support & partners include Ouse Valley Climate Action, The National Lottery Community Fund, Chalk Cliff Trust, South Downs National Park