Rivers Day Event
Supported by Richmond Bell Architects
Rivers Day Event, June 2026
Last Thursday we were delighted to host our inaugural Rivers Day alongside the banks of the stunningly beautiful River Nadder in South West Wiltshire. The day, run in partnership with our friends at Richmond Bell Architects (RBA) and the Teffont Fishing Club (TFL), proved hugely enjoyable and informative with local business leaders, landowners, environmentalists, architects and property developers gathering for an informal and practical workshop focused on river restoration.
We were delighted to welcome a host of expert speakers including Dr Luis Moliner Carthazo and Nick Measham from Wildfish, along with Nick Lawrence from the Wild Trout Trust and TFC’s David Holroyd, who also prepared a delicious lunch of locally sourced food, which he cooked over fire.
A select group of 14 guests, including Jason Lovering, founder of Five Rivers, Nick Ashley-Cooper from Wimborne St Giles Estate and James Bell, founder of RBA, gathered on the banks of the greens and river, which bears many of the hallmarks of a quintessential chalk stream river, for a day of learning, listening and a little walking.
Topics of discussion ranged from the importance of invertebrates and citizen science in understanding the health of our rivers to questions around accessibility to privately owned banks and the simple things we can all do to improve natural habitats and water quality.
“This was the first Rivers Day we have staged but I can confidently say it won’t be our last,” said Planted co-founder and author Sam Peters.
“It was a truly joyous experience to bring so many informed and influential people together for a meeting of minds which we really hope can be the start of something very special.
“We all know Britain’s rivers are in a parlous state and need our urgent attention.
“Through Planted’s amazing community, we hope to facilitate many of the conversations that are desperately needed.”
A huge thank you to Richmond Bell Architects for sponsoring the day and to all our expert speakers and guests. Watch this space for more information about our next event.
