River Avon on the Map

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Young paddlers deterred from responsible activity

Four youngsters aged 14 to 17 decided to enjoy a short afternoon paddle on their local river. They were confronted while kayaking on the Avon at Burgate

They were planning to launch above the weir at SU154160, having walked upstream along the bank from the suspension footbridge at Burgate Manor Farm. Before launching they were confronted by a landowner on the opposite bank who told them that it was private property and the river is not navigable. They waited until he had gone then launched above the weir. The landowner reappeared then and repeated his claim that they should not be there, and appeared to make a number of phone calls. He said that the police would be waiting for them at Sandy Balls.

When they paddled over the weir he was angry and used abusive language, continuing to tell them to get off the river.

As they paddled past his house, his wife appeared, also in an angry mood, and shouted at them.

When they reached the footbridge both man and wife were ther and confronted them again. They repeated that they owned the river. The wife said that she was concerned for their safety.

They left the river at the footbridge and walked away along the public footpath.

Fortunately, although shaken, these youngsters still enjoyed their short winter paddle on a beautiful stretch of the river. A very healthy activity that should be encouraged amongst our local youngsters. All were experienced and trained kayakers

Through Salisbury Wylye > Nadder > Avon

A Local paddler describes a 12 km trip through Salisbury, from Quidhampton (on the Wylye) to Bodenham

Three of us ran this at high water levels in December 2009. We put in at at the bridge over Wylye on A3094 - Netherhampton Rd at SU106 309 and took out at Bodenham, South of Longford Castle, where a road runs alongside the river Avon at: SU 170 258

There were some tree strainers and a few low bridges for the unwary - but no real difficulties. The weir at Longford Castle was washed out.

We were challenged near the sewage outfall at Petersfinger by a man who said we were on his land (we were, of course, not – as we were on the river). He looked very angry and took out his mobile and started calling someone whilst running off towards a large farm / house. We expected to be confronted at the Longford Castle Bridge but were not. We passed quite a few fishermen around Salisbury - but had no problems -everyone else was polite.

Route directions were, more or less, keep left whenever there is a choice

River Wylye Put In At A3094 Bridge Quidhampton SU106309

Shortly after launching on the Wylye you join the River Nadder and pass another possible get-in, park at SU120 306 opposite Bemerton ChurchKeep left more or less every time the river splits and pass under a number of bridges (some quite low at high water levels)

River Nadder after Bemerton

Tree Strainer on the Nadder

River Nadder below Churchfields
Past Churchfields Industrial Estate (on your left) - still keeping left turn sharp right and go under a bridge with a small weir under it SU137298 (Pictured below)

River Nadder below Churchfields (SU 137298) small weir under bridge

River Avon at Harnham Bridge
After the Harnham Bridge, pass the Sea Cadets HQ (possible get out at Churchill Gardens SU 149 292). At end of gardens park get out and portage the sluice on your left - going down the left turn in the river towards Southampton Road, A36

R Avon by A36 SU152293

SU158287 By Sewerage works (Angry Man - see above!)
Keep following the main river - generally left past Longford castle and after about 400 yards swing right down weir SU170259 (shoot weir at the very right, down the ramp).

Longford Weir (SU170 259) at lower water levels (and, below, washed out)

Get out a few hundred yards further on - where the road runs alongside the river (near Bodenham) at: SU 170 258

An Incident on the Avon

I have just received this report from a local paddler:-

"A group of 4 paddled this today, as we approached Longford Castle we were first approched be a female, who said she worked for the estate and we were not allowed to canoe the river, I informed her I didn't believe she had the right to prohibit kayaking, she informed us she was on the phone & we would be stopped further on. Sure enough a little further on some chap in a fluorescent jacket stopped us. He stated he was a police officer (showed a card that did indeed look like a warrant card) told us we were trespassing and ordered us off the river. I happily offered to discus matters with him at a police station, but as I believed we were not trespassing we would carry on.

A little further on said police officer and another chap were waiting on the river bank, this time the chap with him walked to the river bank and said words to the effect "Next time you come me and my friends with our dogs will be waiting for you, and we'll sort you out." At that point I switched on my camera to movie mode (I know hindsight is wonderful). The supposed policeman assured us his colleagues would be waiting for us at Downton (I assume he meant Police Officers) .

We finished without incident or the boys in blue. I'll pop into my local nick tomorrow and report the threat. Anyone paddling the Avon between Salisbury and Christchurch should be aware the Lord of the manor isn't keen on us kayakers.

He added:-
I've just returned from the local nick.

1. Seemingly the chap who stopped us was indeed a police officer, he took our names but will take no further action.
2. The chap who threatened me was a bailiff I think, after a few words from his boss & the police, will probably think twice before repeating that offence.
3. The police were advised by the EA who suggested that canoeing through the Longford estate was controlled by the Estate, however nothing written was seen, I nudged a copy of Doug Caffyn’s research under his nose.
4. We came to the conclusion that until something is legally defined both sides will continue as they are. However the police are unlikely to respond to alleged trespass

It's been a year or so since the BBC featured the issue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG61qItTO8Q

A Seal in the Avon

On New Years day 2009 I paddled from Mudeford up to the tidal limit of both the Stour and the Avon

I was fortunate enough to have a close encounter with a seal just at the entrance to the Avon (SZ 162 922) – he popped up next to the sea kayak, gave me a few welcoming snorts and swam around and under the boat before departing. I was so suprised that I forgot to get my camera out - but the above is fairly close

I don’t think I have ever seen seals in Christchurch Harbour before?

Welcoming Signs?

One of many welcoming signs cluttering up the Avon

But it is the same story across England and Wales

The Living River Project

Living River - involving people in the conservation of the River Avon

The Living River is a £1 million Heritage Lottery funded project that will involve people throughout the River Avon catchment with the conservation of its natural heritage. The project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the River Avon system, focussing on how its natural heritage is linked to the rich cultural heritage of the area. It will invest resources from a range of partners in long-lasting improvements to biodiversity and access to the heritage, and will use innovative methods to engage audiences across the catchment and secure their support for its conservation.

The Living River targets four audiences: land managers, river users, influencers (such al local authorities) and the public who live and work in the catchment. Between 2006 and 20010 the project will complete the following programmes:

Biodiversity restoration

• at sites the public can access and enjoy, involving residents and volunteers in restoration activities
• addressing the management of invasive plants at a catchment-wide level through the development of a stakeholder forum, 20 year action plan and community involvement
• Demonstrating that biodiversity management and access can be mutually beneficial
  

Access and Interpretation

• Enhancing information and access to the river at over 40 sites across the catchment, working with the communities that live there
• Enhancing access to information about the river across the catchment through website, interactive media and exhibits
• Working with Salisbury International Arts Festival to develop river related theatre, sculpture and an audio archive
  

Education and Training

• Open days, volunteer activities and training to help people get more from their involvement, understand their relationship with the river system and take responsibility for it
• Raising awareness of the relationship between the river and water use in the catchment
  

The Project will demonstrate how a complex and largely privately owned natural heritage asset can be made widely accessible to a range of audiences.

Source: Natural England