It’s always a real joy to see our wonderful members, so we were delighted to hold our Annual Gathering this month. For this year’s event, we converged in Gargrave — a picturesque village on the edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. We kicked things off with an update on the Wild Trout Trust’s previous year, courtesy of our Deputy Director Tim Jacklin. It was fantastic to celebrate everything we’ve been able to achieve, in large part thanks to the support of our members.
Next, we learned about some of the amazing projects being delivered by Jonny Grey, our Research & Conservation Officer. Jonny does habitat enhancement work across Yorkshire and the north west, focusing mostly on rural areas and headwater rivers. We then heard from Kate Colledge — a river enhancement Project Manager with Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust. Kate showcased some of the projects she is delivering in collaboration with Jonny, including the removal of multiple barriers on Skeeby Beck and Hundwith Beck.
Finally, we settled in for several short film screenings. The first was ‘There Will Be Fish’, a brilliant short documentary by film student Charley Yates. This was followed by two films by Mark Barrow (a.k.a. Beneath British Waters), who kindly provided live commentary on the incredible underwater scenes he has captured.
After a delicious buffet lunch, we headed out for guided walks along Otterburn Beck and Malham Beck, where Jonny has undertaken extensive habitat work in recent years. Our last stop of the day was in Gargrave itself; specifically, the site where a weir has been removed from the River Aire. Then it was off to dinner and the pub!
The next day, a few of us headed into the Dales for more guided walks, with Jonny showcasing his habitat projects at Swineley and Snaizeholme. Other members ventured further afield, to enjoy exclusive fishing opportunities across Yorkshire and beyond. We had such a lovely time, and we hope to see more of our members soon. Special thanks to our guest speakers, and to Oxygen Conservation and West Pennine Angling Solutions for supporting the event.
