River Exe Action Week launches with Assembly of River Beings and Salmon Run

Join the River Exe Action Week! From river walks to the Salmon Run, there's something for everyone to reconnect with nature

The River Exe Action Week kicks off with an Assembly of River Beings and wraps up with a Salmon Run that could make even the fish jealous. Organised by Friends of the River Exe (FORE) runs from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 29.

It begins off with an Assembly of River Beings in Exeter and ends with the Salmon Run from Exmouth to Exmoor. FORE is a partnership between Sustainable Tiverton, Transition Exmouth and Transition Exeter.

With funding from LUSH cosmetics, arts organisation Tidelines and FORE are making history with the very first Assembly of River Beings on Sunday, September 22 at the Customs House Exeter. It will be part of shaping a new rights-based River Covenant for the Exe - alongside activist and barrister Paul Powlesland of Lawyers for Nature.

Assemblies involve people coming together for a particular purpose, in this case to explore how we can be better guardians of the River Exe and how we can integrate the perspectives of other beings in our thinking, governance and decision making. Barrister Paul Powlesland will put this work into the national and global context of the growing call for Rights for Nature.

As part of the action week Tiverton residents are invited on a ‘river walk that reconnects’ from Tiverton to Bickleigh Mill along the river on Friday 27.

One participant on last year’s walk downriver said: “I have cycled [this route] many times and enjoyed it but never felt quite so close and intimate with the river - the "Mighty Exe" until this occasion’. To take part, meet at the top of Collipriest road (what 3 words ///eaten.empire.tolls) at 2pm - the walk will take roughly 2 hours finishing with tea and cake at the Mill and a bus back. We will spend time sharing and reconnecting with the beauty of the river with opportunities to pause and reflect to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the surroundings. The path is steep in places and can be muddy so please bring suitable footwear. Please register through info@friendsoftheriverexe.org or text 07791269508.

The week ends with The Salmon Run on September 29 organised by Tidelines.

It involves a 5km fun run/walk, a 50 mile relay and ultra-marathon, linking communities along the river, following the path of migratory salmon from sea to spawning ground and bringing awareness of the plight of Atlantic Salmon as well as celebrating this keystone species and their vital role in the culture and ecology of our rivers. To sign up for a section of the run visit https://tidelines.uk/blog/salmon-run-2024/

FORE will be welcoming and cheering the runners on through Tiverton at a stall at the EAT Festival on Sunday with partners Westcountry Rivers Trust.

For details of all the events along the the river during the week - including how to book please go to website friendsoftheriverexe.org/take-action or Fb Friendsoftheriverexe