Paul Powlesland
@paulpowlesland.bsky.social
Rights of nature & climate campaigner. Barrister & river guardian. Love trees & rivers; & working to defend, protect & restore them. Founder of @lawyersfornature.bsky.social & @riverroding.bsky.social
These steps are not easy, but nor is it rocket science. I already swim in the Roding in the summer, & with effort & will I believe many people could safely join me in enjoying this running river within a decade.
September 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
These steps are not easy, but nor is it rocket science. I already swim in the Roding in the summer, & with effort & will I believe many people could safely join me in enjoying this running river within a decade.
Other key priorities:
- Tackle invasive species which are damaging the river’s ecology & stopping its ability to process urban pollution.
- Open up access along the river (particularly on land owned by public authorities) & create physical access to the river.
- Stop and/or filter road runoff
- Tackle invasive species which are damaging the river’s ecology & stopping its ability to process urban pollution.
- Open up access along the river (particularly on land owned by public authorities) & create physical access to the river.
- Stop and/or filter road runoff
September 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Other key priorities:
- Tackle invasive species which are damaging the river’s ecology & stopping its ability to process urban pollution.
- Open up access along the river (particularly on land owned by public authorities) & create physical access to the river.
- Stop and/or filter road runoff
- Tackle invasive species which are damaging the river’s ecology & stopping its ability to process urban pollution.
- Open up access along the river (particularly on land owned by public authorities) & create physical access to the river.
- Stop and/or filter road runoff
The Roding also illustrates what needs to be done, in practical terms, to make this dream a reality:
- Fix the illegal dry weather outfalls that the River Roding Trust has now largely identified.
- Remove the rubbish & debris from the bed of the river which had built up over the past 50 years.
- Fix the illegal dry weather outfalls that the River Roding Trust has now largely identified.
- Remove the rubbish & debris from the bed of the river which had built up over the past 50 years.
September 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The Roding also illustrates what needs to be done, in practical terms, to make this dream a reality:
- Fix the illegal dry weather outfalls that the River Roding Trust has now largely identified.
- Remove the rubbish & debris from the bed of the river which had built up over the past 50 years.
- Fix the illegal dry weather outfalls that the River Roding Trust has now largely identified.
- Remove the rubbish & debris from the bed of the river which had built up over the past 50 years.
This is a very good way of putting it!
June 11, 2025 at 10:07 PM
This is a very good way of putting it!
I think it would be a pretty good deal for both parties
June 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I think it would be a pretty good deal for both parties
What makes you think that?
June 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
What makes you think that?
Quietly left at a slow walk & then came back in & up to the bed again 15 mins later.
June 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Quietly left at a slow walk & then came back in & up to the bed again 15 mins later.
It didn’t flinch or run away when I turned to it & instead slowly sussed me out & gently sauntered back off the boat. It feels like the longer I live in nature, the more comfortable all creatures become with me and my presence.
June 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
It didn’t flinch or run away when I turned to it & instead slowly sussed me out & gently sauntered back off the boat. It feels like the longer I live in nature, the more comfortable all creatures become with me and my presence.
It was a pleasure to receive their excellency…
June 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
It was a pleasure to receive their excellency…
We are banned from swimming in the reservoir, it was the whole point in the protest. What was your purpose in posting that article?
April 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
We are banned from swimming in the reservoir, it was the whole point in the protest. What was your purpose in posting that article?
Under your logic, this statistic means we should ban angling.
April 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Under your logic, this statistic means we should ban angling.
Not really, it’s a direct rebuttal to your rather silly point that a single death 7 years ago is a reason to stop thousands of people enjoying their lives by wild swimming.
April 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Not really, it’s a direct rebuttal to your rather silly point that a single death 7 years ago is a reason to stop thousands of people enjoying their lives by wild swimming.
Clearly not enough, eh?
April 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Clearly not enough, eh?
It is interesting that we don’t outlaw activities that result in far far more injuries and deaths, particularly the driving of motor vehicles, isn’t it? Safety culture only extends to some activities apparently.
April 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
It is interesting that we don’t outlaw activities that result in far far more injuries and deaths, particularly the driving of motor vehicles, isn’t it? Safety culture only extends to some activities apparently.
So, with hundreds of others, I ignored the United Utilities security guard & had a cold but thrilling trespass swim in the sunshine among the rolling green hills of the Peak District, to demand the right to swim.
April 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
So, with hundreds of others, I ignored the United Utilities security guard & had a cold but thrilling trespass swim in the sunshine among the rolling green hills of the Peak District, to demand the right to swim.
How can it be that United Utilities can prevent us from swimming in the rivers & lakes that we are legally allowed to swim in by pouring sewage in them, but then forbid us from swimming in ‘their’ reservoir (which was given to them at privatisation) instead?
April 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
How can it be that United Utilities can prevent us from swimming in the rivers & lakes that we are legally allowed to swim in by pouring sewage in them, but then forbid us from swimming in ‘their’ reservoir (which was given to them at privatisation) instead?
Yes, I definitely will!
April 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Yes, I definitely will!
Up and around, potentially a few metres high
April 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Up and around, potentially a few metres high