West Cumbria Rivers Trust’s patrons Lord and Lady Egremont are encouraging local businesses to adopt a beck or river

An Adopt a Beck scheme, run by West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT), aims to encourage local businesses and organisations to become guardians of their local watercourse.

They hope groups will invest in river habitat improvements, events and educational activities that encourage their staff and the local community to explore, celebrate and learn more about their becks.

Trust patrons Lord and Lady Egremont were promoting the scheme when they invited guests to their Cockermouth Castle home.

Lord Egremont said: “Our beautiful becks in Cumbria are home to wonderful and rare wildlife, we enjoy the beauty and serenity of a walk along riverside paths, we use them for fishing, paddling or cooling off during the summer months.

"Healthy rivers are crucial for not only supporting wildlife but also for local businesses too, whether it’s through tourism, water supply, fishing or even providing drinking water for our livestock”.

The scheme has been running as a pilot for almost three years.

Large investor NuGEN adopted Black Beck and Kirk Beck near the proposed Moorside site, funding a project officer and many conservation projects. Medium investor Sealy UK adopted Plumblands Gill Beck and funded fencing, tree planting and a staff volunteer day.

Bassenthwaite Rotary Club adopted Dash Beck and volunteer their time doing walkover surveys, tree planting and insect monitoring.

For more details contact jodie@westcumbriariverstrust.org or call 017687 75429.