Celebration of the Trent Valley By Louise Morris To celebrate near<strong>in</strong>g the end of the five year Transform<strong>in</strong>g the Trent Valley (TTTV) scheme, September saw us gather together people from across the region to highlight our successes. To thank the scheme partners, our funders and volunteers, who have all contributed to the success of TTTV we held a celebration even<strong>in</strong>g at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday 6th September. Speeches by Garry Jones, Chief Executive of Support Staffordshire, and Glyn Morgan, National Lottery Heritage Fund Committee Member for England Midlands and East, emphasised that the passion and commitment of the team, amaz<strong>in</strong>g volunteers and project partners have transformed the Trent Valley. Projects completed s<strong>in</strong>ce 2018 have focused on liv<strong>in</strong>g floodpla<strong>in</strong>s, distribut<strong>in</strong>g community grants, transform<strong>in</strong>g lives, creat<strong>in</strong>g new sections of the Trent Valley Way, shar<strong>in</strong>g Wildchild activities with local children and add<strong>in</strong>g to the enjoyment of the landscape for all to experience. Julian Woolford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, talked about the significance of the TTTV scheme to the area, the positive impact on people and wildlife and the cont<strong>in</strong>uation of work<strong>in</strong>g together to create a legacy. Louise Morris, Landscape Partnership Manager, <strong>in</strong>troduced the premiere of a stunn<strong>in</strong>g new film showcas<strong>in</strong>g all our accomplishments for the people and nature of the Trent Valley. You can now enjoy the celebration film on our website: www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/successes to follow our journey as we discuss the successes, challenges, and highlights of this wonderful scheme. As summer <strong>2023</strong> closed, we organised a community day to say thank you and to display the best of the Trent Valley. What a fun day! Based <strong>in</strong> Newton Road Park, Burton, on Saturday 9th September, visitors delighted <strong>in</strong> tall tales from The Old Man of the Woods and were serenaded by the Uttoxeter brass band. With free entry and free activities rang<strong>in</strong>g from wood carv<strong>in</strong>g demonstrations, face pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g, Wildchild adventures, pebble pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g and wildlife record<strong>in</strong>g, everyone who attended had a brilliant time. Food was supplied by local vendors. The sun shone (it turned out to be the hottest day of the year) and people kept cool sitt<strong>in</strong>g by the river, learn<strong>in</strong>g how to fish from the riverbank and how to paddle a Canadian canoe. Even the brass band tried the canoe sessions! Thank you to our stall holders for their support and for all who took part to provide an excellent celebration for the community. *Photos by Sue Freeman Got a story or charity event you want to share with our readership? Th<strong>in</strong>k you’ve snapped an image that captures the spirit of the region? We want to hear from you! Contact <strong>Citylife</strong> at kristencitylife@gmail.com 16
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