Massive thanks to all the volunteers who put themselves forward in some difficult times for myself and, potentially, the group. Here is a short video put together from the few clips I've taken over two recent working parties (when I've remembered my camera!). Of course there have been many more events, and please see my blog entries for more details on Trout in the Town

The raw materials for works towards specific conservation objectives were paid for, in the main, by a grant that the WTT successfully won from the Esmee Fairbairn foundation.

Extra special thanks to the volunteers who just put themselves forward to find out what needed to be done to tackle our challenges; a few that stand out are
Danny G, Paul H, Roger R, Nick J, Gerry C, Steve W, Simon F, Richard C, Dave W, Kate Q, Craig O, Gareth E - As well as the general supporting membership!

Big thanks to those businesses that have taken a hit in order to put something back in to the river that they value so highly:

Paul Hughes/Greentree landscaping (Kit donation/use, around 100 hours of voluntary time contributed for free in 2011 along with 20% of proceeds from any Sheffield Council contracted knotweed eradication works carried out as a partnership between SPRITE and Greentree)

John Tyack Flyfishing/Fish On productions (£550 donation split 70:30 between SPRITE and the Wild Trout Trust from an auction lot that included 1 to 2 days' free time donation of four people whose daily rates range between £200 and probably £5000+ per day)

Fish On productions (£310 donation from sales of urban flyfishing DVD filmed on SPRITE water plus Free provision of promotional DVD/web video extra valued at around £2000)

We have been able to achieve a great deal more for the river, its fish, wildlife and plant ecology through these partnerships. Many thanks for taking the responsibility to reduce earnings and donate money as well as time from your businesses in these tough economic times.

The donation of what you can give (whether it is time, effort or funding support) makes you all legends.

Well done and Merry Xmas.

Just a heads up for a social event to be held at the Hillsborough Hotel pub in Sheffield on the evening of 20th Jan 2012.

Contact us | The Hillsborough Hotel

It will start from around 6:30 pm but will run all evening. There will be drinks and chat and maybe even a short video (the pub does good food too). So if you just want to say hi, drop in for a chat and meet some friends or to ask what is going on with the river Don, then please feel free to come by.