Paul Powlesland barrister and river guardian organized volunteers.
They spent 10 days removing 200 bags waste needles weapons and silt from dirty river section.
After cleanup fish dragonflies herons and plants returned fast.
Environment Agency sent letter saying work illegal no permit obtained.
Agency investigated for “unpermitted works” and waste offences.
Maximum penalty up to 2 years in prison.
Powlesland asked agency many times before to act but they did nothing.
He says he will keep cleaning peacefully anyway.
Thanks for sharing this. I love my river & will do whatever is (peacefully) necessary to protect & restore her, whatever the malevolently useless bureaucrats might do to me.
For those who’d like to learn more about the restoration we carried out, details are in this post:…
— Paul Powlesland (@paulpowlesland) June 20, 2026