The River Tame - The Brook
When it becomes clear to see, we will have achieved something - Graham Walker
This is the state of our water in the UK. We have a VERY PRECIOUS RESOURCE right here in Sad-Unwell and we need to maintain it, forever. We will show you why and then you will see how.
T.H.E. Change Has Come - The Hive Effect
FIRST - THE BIGGER PICTURE
HOW IMPORTANT IS UK WATER?
UK Parliament Publication
Healthy rivers are vital for biodiversity and to human health and well-being. Rivers provide habitats for a range of wildlife, protect against flooding and provide beautiful places for recreation and reflection.
Freshwater ecosystems are in crisis globally and in England there are concerns about the multiple stresses being placed on riverine biodiversity and the dangers posed to swimmers and other river users from bacteria from sewage pollution.
UK Parliament Publication
In its 25 Year Environment Plan, issued in 2018, the Government pledged to deliver cleaner air and water in England’s cities and rural landscapes, to protect threatened species and to provide richer wildlife habitats.
It promised to secure clean and plentiful water by ‘improving at least three quarters of our waters to be close to their natural state as soon as is practicable’.
UK Parliament Pubilication
The most recent figures published by the Environment Agency, under obligations originally established by the EU Water Framework Directive, show that only 14% of English rivers met good ecological status and no river met good chemical status.
Water pollution remains a major impediment to achieving targets established under the Directive (requiring all European surface water to reach ‘good ecological status’ by 2015 with a maximum deadline of 2027), and measures to address pollution in rivers, other surface water and groundwater in England will be crucial to achievement of the Government’s objectives for water quality in the 25 Year Environment Plan.
SECOND - SOME UK WATER FACTS
OBSERVE THE CHAOS
The Rivers Trust Organisation
England’s rivers, including 85% of the world’s precious chalk streams, are widely agreed to be a national treasure, yet only 14% are in good ecological health, and every single one fails to meet chemical standards.
Of these failing rivers, agriculture impacts nearly two thirds (2,296 river water bodies); the water sector impacts over a half (2,032 river water bodies); and the urban and transport sector a quarter.
Pollution is not the only problem, though, as abstraction and habitat destruction also put the future of rivers in jeopardy.
The Guardian
Despite only 14% of English rivers meeting the criteria for "good" ecological status, 43% of people questioned in a new survey believe that Britain’s freshwater systems are in good condition.
However, the Troubled Waters report for a coalition of charities, including the RSPB, the National Trust and the Rivers Trust, reveals how even wildlife-rich protected wetlands and rivers are threatened by pollution, while restoring water quality is hampered by a lack of effective monitoring and enforcement.
THE RIVER TAME FACTS
ARE WE THIS CHAOTIC?
Express & Star
The River Tame is 'acutely' contaminated by powerful insecticides – believed to pose a threat to bee populations and other insects.
The survey, the first of its kind which was mandated by EU water regulations, tested for neonicotinoids in British rivers. The Tames very high reading indicated a probable 'industrial or disposal pollution event'.
Concerns are now also increasing over the impact on fish and birdlife.
THE RIVER TAME FLOWS FROM ITS SOURCE IN BRANDHALL GOLF COURSE to Alrewas in Staffordshire, passing through Bilston, Wednesfield, Bescot, Bentley, Wednesbury and Sandwell Valley (where, surprisingly, it is in the open and beautiful). Again, it is them and us.
CORRUPTED WATER
FOLLOW THE WATER AND YOU WILL SEA
40 YEARS AGO
AT PENNCRICKET LANE - THE BILLIES
THE ALLOTMENT here (which we applied to use OVER 10 YEARS AGO) used to flood.
AFTER the allotment was abandoned, this culvert/ bastion wall and 'bridge' (which is a water flow control mechanism) were installed!
MEANWHILE, FURTHER DOWNSTREAM...
On the north-side of the A4123
In Sandwell Valley there is so much to see and do because it is a truly spectacular place, and it is only right that it remains this way, we wouldn't change it for the world, but...
Forge Mill Farm utilises The River Tame, and because it is part of the Sandwell Jewel, it's banks are far-reaching and vast - for miles, yet we, in Brandhall, are fighting to protect a few hundred meters of it...
Because we want a piece of what everyone else has. WE NEED to preserve this natural water source. How can we not?
IT CONTINUALLY GETS BETTER
Otters have returned to The Tame Valley Wetlands.
Otters have returned the Tame Wetlands just outside of Birmingham. We understand that we can't have otters here in Sand Un-Well, but we can have wildlife. We should be entitled to have parks and open space this side of the A4123.
Take a look at the website for The Tame Wetlands by clicking the button below.
The Most Precious Resource On Earth
OUR FOREFATHERS RUINED IT WITH EASE, AND WE HAVE TO BEG TO SAVE IT! EARTHLINGS?
Ecological Importance
Small freshwater streams and brooks are a vital part of most ecosystems in the UK. They support a wide range of mammal, amphibian, bird, insect, plant and funga life, that has evolved over millennia to survive and thrive in them. The banks range from gradual grass slopes that fall into the water, to more vertical banks that are created by plants with more complex root systems, keeping everything in place next to the water, preventing soil erosion.
This is home to small insects and amphibians that use the sediments left by the more gentle flow of water to hide from predators and raise their young. Until we killed them.
Ecological Disaster
Sandwell is the Number 1 area in England with the most toxic landfills with potentially hazardous waste per square km.
That is 1 Toxic, Hazardous Landfill Site per 6.11 Square KM.
3 OF THEM ARE ON ROWLEY HILL
Take a look at WHAT LIES BENEATH RATTLECHAIN LAGOON a website dedicated to it. It is all around you, it is all around us.
SANDWELL? WELL? IN WHAT SENSE OF THE WORD ARE WE WELL? HOW WILL BUILDING HOUSES MAKE US BETTER?
Ecological Advocacy
Advocacy is an essential pillar of our Environmental Protection Movement here at The Hive Effect. There is strength in numbers, and we work to inform and encourage others to take a stand for what they know to be true and for what they believe in. Join us in our mission to create more biodiverse communities, starting right here in our home, Sand Un-Well.
When you thought nothing could be done, we gave you a foundation to build from.
When you didn't know, we presented you the information here.
With your help, you will see just how much of a difference we will make. Believe us when we say;
We haven't even begun...
The Hive Effect
TIME HAS RUN OUT - DON'T LET THE WATER
We know that we, as a civilisation, must make this work. Here at The Hive Effect we know how to make this work, without it costing the earth.
If all that Sandwell Council can see are pound signs, and it is pound signs that they want, then it is pounds that they shall have, but houses or not, from that moment in time, they shall never walk these lands with their heads held high, ever again.
The Change Has Come.
They're in or they are out.
Food For All
Food. We don't need to go into detail about the global food chain but mentioning the cost, the shortage, and the demand is something that affects us at a local level. The Hive Effect can alleviate some of those problems by making fresh produce available to local people who may never have had access to such produce before.
This IS Food For All - so Join In and dig in!
Next Level Education
For the engineers out there, for the inventors and the problem solvers, we have some projects to whet your appetite too. They are all very hush right now but all will be revealed at our launch. It may turn out that you have an idea that is the best idea ever and you want to shout about it. Contact us by pressing the button below.
Interested Parties
Our ideas have attracted so much attention from local businesses keen to explore our ideas further. These businesses are amongst the best in their fields and they like what we're doing.
And we thought we had some interesting concepts!
Call back when we launch and all will be revealed.
If you have an idea or you have thought to yourself "why hasn't anyone tried this before", then contact us by pressing the button below to get heard.
