News – Wear Rivers Trust | North East Charity

Working Together to Improve Water Quality Monitoring

Palintest has generously donated professional water quality monitoring equipment to Wear Rivers Trust, helping to strengthen our monitoring capabilities and support evidence-led conservation across the River Wear catchment.

Palintest Supports Wear Rivers Trust with Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Wear Rivers Trust is delighted to be working with Palintest, a leading manufacturer of water analysis technologies based in Team Valley, to strengthen water quality monitoring across the River Wear catchment.

As part of this collaboration, Palintest has generously donated a Lumiso Expert Photometer and a Multiparameter Pocket Meter, providing the Trust with professional-grade equipment that will significantly enhance our ability to monitor the health of our rivers

Working across a 417-square-mile catchment, Wear Rivers Trust relies on high-quality data to understand the pressures affecting our rivers and to target conservation and restoration work where it is needed most. The new equipment will enable us to collect accurate and detailed water quality information, helping to identify areas where intervention will have the greatest impact, build a stronger evidence base and support informed decision-making.

The equipment will also strengthen our citizen science programme, giving staff and volunteers access to professional-grade monitoring tools and increasing our capacity to monitor rivers and streams across the catchment.

The generous support from Palintest reflects a shared commitment to protecting freshwater environments and ensuring that decisions affecting our rivers are underpinned by reliable scientific evidence.

CEO at Wear Rivers Trust, said:

“This equipment will make a real difference to our work. It will enhance our monitoring capability, improve the quality of the data we collect and help us better understand the challenges facing the Wear catchment. We’re incredibly grateful to Palintest for their generosity and support.”

Wear Rivers Trust would like to thank everyone at Palintest for their generosity and warm welcome. We look forward to putting the equipment to good use to help protect and improve the River Wear catchment.

Find out more about Palintest here.

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Port of Tyne Nurdle Spill: Update for River Wear Catchment Residents

An estimated one billion plastic nurdles have entered the marine environment following the recent Port of Tyne spill. Find out how to identify nurdles, report sightings and support the ongoing response across the River Wear catchment.

Nurdle Spill Update

Wear Rivers Trust is providing an update for residents across the River Wear catchment following the significant nurdle spill at the Port of Tyne last week.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness described the incident as “one of the biggest, if not the biggest pollution incidents in Europe involving the spillage of these nurdles.” An estimated one billion nurdles are believed to have entered the marine environment.

A clean-up operation is underway, but tidal movement has redistributed nurdles from the Port of Tyne as far south as the Wear catchment, with the potential for them to continue moving further along the coastline.

Tyne Rivers Trust has produced a comprehensive update on the incident, its environmental impacts and the ongoing response. We encourage you to read their article to learn more and support the efforts of all organisations involved in the clean-up.

What are nurdles?

Nurdles are small plastic pellets, typically less than 5mm in size, which are transported around the world as the raw material used to manufacture a wide range of plastic products.

Although small, they can have a significant impact on wildlife and the environment. Many animals mistake nurdles for food, which can lead to injury or starvation, while others may experience respiratory problems through exposure. Plastic pollution can also contribute to wider environmental impacts, including rising sea temperatures and ecosystem degradation.

Incidents such as this reinforce the importance of preventing plastic pollution and support our long-term vision of achieving a Plastic Free River Wear.

Image credit: South Tyneside Council

If you find nurdles

If you encounter nurdles, please follow the guidance below:

1. Report sightings to your local authority, including the location (using What3Words or a similar location app where possible), an estimate of the quantity, the date and time, and a photograph if it is safe to do so.

2. Do not touch or attempt to independently collect the nurdles.

3. Keep dogs and other animals on a lead to prevent contact.

4. Avoid disturbing the nurdles, as this can make clean-up efforts more difficult.

5. Check official guidance, advice may change as the response continues.

Some councils are exploring how volunteers may be able to support organised clean-up activity safely. Any confirmed opportunities will be shared through their official channels. In our own catchment Sunderland Green Party are holding clean up events twice a day on Roker Beach. These efforts are easy to get involved in with only a sieve and plastic bag needed.

Report a sighting

Durham County Council

Email nurdles@durham.gov.uk with the location, an estimate of the number seen, the date and time of the sighting, and a photograph if possible.

South Tyneside Council

Email nurdles@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Sunderland City Council

Report sightings using Sunderland City Council’s online resident portal.

Reports can also be submitted to The Great Nurdle Hunt. However, these reports are not routinely shared with local authorities, so we recommend reporting directly to your local council to help coordinate the clean-up as effectively as possible.

Thank you for helping to protect our rivers, coastline and wildlife.

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Welcome Luke Forster

We’re delighted to welcome Luke to the team as our new Finance Officer.

Luke joined Wear Rivers Trust at the beginning of April, bringing with him three years of experience working in pensions. During this time, he developed a strong understanding of financial systems, reporting, and compliance, alongside building the attention to detail and analytical skills that are essential in managing organisational finances effectively.

In his role as Finance Officer, Luke will support the day-to-day financial management of the Trust, helping to ensure that our projects are delivered smoothly and sustainably. From budgeting and monitoring expenditure to supporting financial reporting, Luke will play a key role in keeping our operations running efficiently behind the scenes.

His experience and skillset will be a huge help to the team, strengthening our capacity as we continue to grow and deliver important work across the Wear catchment.

We’re really pleased to have Luke on board and look forward to the positive impact he’ll make.

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Big River Watch Spring 2026

Will you see pollution or wildlife? Take part in the Big River Watch and help survey your river: 24th-30th April 2026

Our beautiful and vital rivers are in crisis, and every bit of data about their health helps organisations better plan how to restore and protect them.

The Rivers Trust’s Big River Watch is your invitation to love your local stretch of river and stand up for wildlife. To play your part as a citizen scientist, simply download the free Big River Watch app (available in English and Welsh), spend 15 minutes by a river between the 24th-30th April, and complete the short survey to record what you see – from wildlife and water colour to pollution.

Your response will be part of a UK and Ireland-wide dataset that can be used to fight for cleaner rivers. Learn more: The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust

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Durham County Council Environment Awards

We were honoured to attend the Durham County Council Environment Awards, an inspiring celebration of the individuals, volunteers and organisations working to protect and enhance local environments across the county.

We are immensely proud to share that our Education Team was named winner of the Schools and Colleges category for our Wear Warriors educational programme. Supported by multiple funding streams, Wear Warriors enables children to complete a four day award that combines local exploration with two engaging field visits. The programme broadens pupils’ understanding of the landscapes and communities around them while developing essential skills and confidence through structured outdoor learning.

Through hands on activities, children build teamwork and navigation skills, strengthen their resilience in new environments, and gain a deeper appreciation of their local surroundings. As they progress, pupils earn achievement badges, including recognition for mapwork skills, celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging curiosity and meaningful learning beyond the classroom.

This award recognises the dedication and commitment of our staff, who consistently go above and beyond to ensure young people across the catchment can access high quality environmental education and enriching outdoor experiences.

We are also delighted to announce that our valued volunteer, Martin Evans, received a Highly Commended Certificate of Recognition for his exceptional contribution. Martin’s commitment extends beyond his local area and across the wider catchment, and his continued support makes a lasting difference to the communities we serve.

The evening was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through partnership, passion and shared commitment to safeguarding our environment. We extend our congratulations to all nominees and winners who are helping to create a greener and more sustainable future for County Durham.

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Bluespaces Project Launch: Lumley Park Burn

Major Restoration Effort Begins on Lumley Park Burn and Riverside

Wear Rivers Trust and Northumbrian Water Launch Lumley Park Burn & Riverside Restoration Project

Wear Rivers Trust announce Bluespaces project to revitalise 8.8 km of bluespace along Lumley Park Burn and the Riverside Peninsula of the River Wear near Chester-Le-Street.

The area currently faces challenges including elevated rates of riverbank erosion, invasive species such as Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam, and worn footpaths that limit safe access. This transformative project will tackle these issues head-on through upgraded footpaths and drainage, green-engineering techniques to stabilise riverbanks, and targeted invasive species control to protect both biodiversity and public health.

Community involvement will sit at the heart of the initiative, with volunteer-led conservation, water-quality testing, and citizen-science activities helping to build long-term local stewardship.

“We’re excited to work together on meaningful improvements that will make Lumley Park Burn and the Riverside a safer, more resilient and more inspiring place for people and wildlife,” Wear Rivers Trust said. “This project will open up access, restore natural habitats, and support wellbeing for everyone who enjoys this much-loved stretch of the Wear.”

The result will be a healthier river corridor with thriving native species, improved year-round paths, and a strengthened community connection to the landscape, benefits that will be felt for generations.

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Bluespaces Project Launch: Deerness

Major Restoration Effort Begins on the River Deerness

Wear Rivers Trust and Northumbrian Water launch partnership to improve 10km of bluespaces along the River Deerness

This project encompasses the Deerness from Waterhouses downstream past the villages of Esh Winning and Ushaw Moor to its confluence with the Browney just north of Langley Moor.

Wear Rivers Trust will carry out a series of interventions along this stretch to enhance wildlife and biodiversity, improve water quality and augment access to recreational facilities.

At the heart of this Bluespaces project are the communities who live and work alongside the River Deerness. Wear Rivers Trust will collaborate with local groups, landowners and organisations who act as longstanding custodians of the Deerness, alongside the Trust’s volunteers, to deliver a range of practical restoration and engagement activities. These will include:

Monitoring and maintenance of fish passes to safeguard up and downstream migration, for all species
Tree planting and wetland creation to provide riparian shading and establish new wildlife habitats
Green engineering and riverbank repairs to protect footpaths, reduce sediment runoff and enhance biodiversity
Mapping and management of invasive non-native species to support the recovery of native flora and fauna
Citizen science opportunities, including Riverfly monitoring and ecological surveys, to improve understanding of the river environment
Installation of interpretation boards and waymarkers, including the creation of a new circular walking route

Together, these activities will help restore the River Deerness, strengthen local stewardship and ensure the river can be enjoyed for generations to come.

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Bluespaces Project Launch: Gaunless

Major Restoration Effort Begins on River Gaunless

Wear Rivers Trust and Northumbrian Water Launch River Gaunless Restoration Project

Bluespaces Project, funded by Northumbrian Water, is now underway to improve public access to, and enjoyment of, the River Wear and River Gaunless over the next three years.

Work focuses on three key sections where public footpaths run close to the rivers:

Butterknowle to St Helen’s Auckland
Broom Mill Farm to Fylands Bridge
King James’ School through Auckland Park to the confluence

The Gaunless catchment faces challenges such as livestock pressures, limited riparian buffers, pollution from agricultural runoff, and fly tipping. This project represents a collaborative, multi-faceted effort to enhance water quality, restore habitats, and strengthen community stewardship of one of the Wear’s most intensively farmed sub-catchments.

We will be carrying out farm engagement, green engineering, woodland creation, the creation of fish passes, and public-space improvements including nature trails and interpretation boards throughout this project to improve the riparian habitat. Volunteers will help assist with much of this work, as well as carrying out Riverfly monitoring, water quality testing, electrofishing, litter picks, and invasive species management.

Education is also a key focus of the project, with schools and young people actively involved in learning about the history, ecology, and cultural heritage of the Gaunless.

We will be delivering the Wear Warrior Award to 12 primary schools and working closely with King James Academy to carry out a number of activities including riparian woodland creation.

By combining practical river restoration with education and community involvement, the project will create lasting environmental benefits while inspiring the next generation to become stewards of the River Gaunless.

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Welcome Hannah Clow

We’re delighted to welcome Hannah to the team as our new Education Support Officer.

Hannah studied BSc Geography at Northumbria University, where she developed a strong interest in fluvial environments and green, nature-based solutions. Throughout her degree, Hannah spent significant time learning in the field, gaining hands-on experience that shaped both her knowledge and enthusiasm for environmental protection.

Having benefited from practical, outdoor learning herself, Hannah is now keen to return the favour by educating and inspiring younger generations. She is passionate about helping children and young people understand the importance of protecting their local environment, using the knowledge and experience she gained during her studies.

In her role as Education Support Officer, Hannah will support the delivery of educational activities that connect communities with their local rivers and landscapes, helping to build long-term understanding and care for the natural environment.

We’re excited to have Hannah on board and look forward to the positive impact she’ll make through her work with schools and communities.

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Welcome Cameron Curry

We’re delighted to welcome Cameron to the team as our new SuDS+ Support Officer.

A proud Northeast local and keen lover of the outdoors, Cameron is passionate about conserving and improving landscapes and waterways in ways that highlight their natural beauty while delivering real benefits for local communities.

Cameron joins us with an academic background in civil engineering and project management, studied at degree level. By combining his technical skills with his environmental interests, he developed a strong passion for Natural Flood Management (NFM). This led him to explore the topic further during his MSc, where his research focused on why natural flood management is not implemented as widely as it should be for a more sustainable future.

One of the key findings from Cameron’s research highlighted a lack of clear methods and data to demonstrate the wider social and environmental benefits of natural flood management. Motivated to help address this gap, Cameron joined the Wear Rivers Trust as a Monitoring Support Officer.

In his role supporting the SuDS+ project in Stanley, Cameron will focus on capturing and developing ways to record the community benefits of sustainable drainage systems, helping to build stronger evidence for their value beyond flood risk reduction alone.

We’re thrilled to have Cameron on board and look forward to the expertise, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective he brings to the team.

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