Celebrating the River Exe: Walk and Song Share

Aim

As part of our work to protect and restore the river, Friends of the River Exe is planning a journey of discovery, celebration and fun

Friends of the River Exe is offering a Walk and Song Share on Saturday September 23rd  2023, as part of the Festival of the River Exe  in the week leading up to World Rivers Day on 24th September.  It's an event to celebrate and learn about the river and gather songs, stories and information that help us appreciate and protect the waterway at the heart of Exeter and other towns and communities along the river.

Once the river was home to salmon, trout and other riverine species.  Its name ‘Exe’ comes from the Latin ‘Isca’ which means ‘fish’.  Fishers and others remember from years ago its clear, plentiful water, and the rich variety of insect and bird life as well as fish.   Now it is polluted with agricultural waste, sewage from storm overflows, and toxic chemicals.  Kingfishers and herons are rare, and there are few fish along much of its length.  

The walk will pass sites of historic and natural interest from Exeter to Exmouth (with shorter sections or train options for those who don’t choose to do the longer walk).   There will be stops for refreshment and song, led by community choir and music leaders Emma Welton,  Sarah Pennington and Tess Read.   It will be free, to ensure no barriers to access for individuals or families.  We are seeking £500 to pay for a song-share venue at Exmouth at the walk’s conclusion, for the walk leaders who are professionals and already offer much work for free, and a small amount for other expenses.  Please help us support this exciting event, building the momentum to protect, restore and celebrate our beautiful river.   If we raise more than our target, the balance will go towards supporting Friends of the River Exe

Details of the walk will be on Facebook: @FriendsoftheRiverExe and @TransitionExeter and on the Festival Events page soon to be launched on the Friends of the River Exe website

Friends of the River Exe  was launched with a Transition Network Seedfunding  grant which brought together the River Exe Transition Partnership (Sustainable Tiverton, Transition Exeter and Transition Exmouth) .

This project successfully funded on 25th August 2023