Members of the Cam Upper reaches Action Team (Curat) are pictured here “Balsam Bashing” along the Slade, a tributary to the Cam on the Audley End Estate, Saffron Walden. Himalayan Balsam is an invasive non-native plant that has taken over stretches of the Cam, crowding out other indigenous plant species. Balsam seeds drop into the… Continue reading Balsam Bashing

Balsam bashing, river health & pollution, and more in this April 2021 newsletter. Download by clicking here.

The Environment Agency (EA) has been “chained to its desk” by funding cuts and the deregulatory efforts of successive governments, an Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into water quality in rivers has been told in an oral evidence session.  Guy Linley-Adams, a solicitor for the Salmon and Trout Conservation charity, was asked how the EA is… Continue reading Environmental failure

David Thear has penned a charming, though sad, poem about the Cam as he watched it decline from his window overlooking the river in Newport. The River Cam by David Thear: Our river is dying, farewell to the stream and the sparkling light on the water I’ve seen. Gone are the dragonflies and fishes that… Continue reading Ode to a dying river

Weedkiller, skills we need, work parties, the curse of Himalayan Balsam, and an Otter sighting. It’s all in our first newsletter, which you can download by clicking here.

This beautiful poster forms the fold-out centrepiece of our campaign leaflet. It was created by Saffron Walden resident and illustrator Michelle Thompson, whose work has appeared in books, magazines and national newspapers (including a memorable image of Boris Johnson for the Sunday Times!). The leaflet was delivered with the Saffron Walden Reporter newspaper to households… Continue reading Leaflets & Poster

On 21st July 2020 UDC Councillors unanimously voted in favour of a cross-party motion to protect the rivers of Uttlesford for future generations. When presenting the motion Cllr Richard Pavitt, deputy chair of the Climate Change & Ecology Working Group, said the underground Chalk aquifer feeding the district’s rivers is being over-exploited to supply housing… Continue reading Cam is special – official!

CURAT was formed in the summer of 2020 in reaction to the continuing decline of the river Cam, especially the 10 miles of the river from its source south of Saffron Walden through north Uttlesford towards the villages of south Cambridgeshire. We are campaigning for a proper flow to be restored to the river. It… Continue reading Welcome!