The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas
Open Thursday to Sunday 11am to 4pm
We have less than two years to save the River Wye from the effects of pollution. Sewage and enormous volumes of chemical run-off from poultry farms are devastating the river’s ecosystem. Plant, fish and bird life has rapidly diminished in recent years. Unless urgent action is taken the Wye will become too polluted to swim in, and the water will be poisonous to animals.
Canwood Gallery has asked the incredible creatives from Wales, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to use the power of art to celebrate and highlight the River Wye’s plight and give personal insights into what the river means to them, individuals who love it.
We are teaming up with River Action UK to help the raise the profile of the urgent action needed to immediately implement plans to save the River Wye.
Visit the exhibition at Canwood Gallery. Entry is free, all artworks are for sale and a donation from proceeds will be given to River Action to support their vital work. Artists taking part https://canwoodgallery.org/save-the-wye-2/
Stay informed
Sign the petition
Write to your local MP
Join Citizen Science
| Launched in February 2021, River Action is a charity committed to combating the issue of river pollution in the UK. Our rivers are facing a severe ecological crisis, with most polluted beyond their legal limits – and many facing severe environmental challenges. Our purpose is to apply pressure on industrial and agricultural producers to take greater responsibility for remedying the adverse environmental impact their supply chains are having on the health of our rivers. We apply direct pressure on industrial and agricultural producers to expose abuses and call for polluters to remedy the environmental damage their activities and supply chains inflict on rivers. We also campaign for the government to provide better environmental protectionfor our rivers. We work with local NGOs, environmental activists and citizen science groups, to spread awareness and confront those responsible at the highest level. Key Milestones Include: ● Gaining over 65,000 petition signatures calling for immediate restoration of environmental protection budgets in both England and Wales ● Significantly increasing media and public awareness of the link between agriculture and river pollution ● Generating significant pressure on the major agri-businesses in the Wye Valley whose supply chains have been responsible for polluting the river ● Applying pressure to change their practises (resulting in one major agribusiness admitting its culpability and pledging to become part of the solution) ● Pursuing political and regulatory action Our Impact Assessment Report contains more detail: https://riveractionuk.com/news/river-action-2021-impact-report/ Link to the plan to save the wye |
Canwood Gallery is a charity gallery set up with the goal of exhibiting thought provoking art within the beautiful and inspiring countryside of Herefordshire. Our profits will be donated to Bart’s Charity
In 1970’s the gallery owner, then a farmer, became critically ill with leukemia, and was sent down to Bart’s hospital in London, to take part in a medical trial as a last ditch attempt to try and save his life. In between some pretty severe treatments, including radiation and mustard gas amongst many others, he decided to venture out and took a black cab to the Tate, the driver refused to take any fee. Upon walking into the Tate the first thing he saw and found great inspiration in was the controversial Carl Andre’s bricks. It was the first of many visits. Whether it was the inspiration from art or the treatment, or both, he was the only person in his batch of 12 to survive to this day.
It has always been his desire to give something back and to build a gallery in Herefordshire where people could experience interesting art for free.
Canwood Gallery, Checkley, Herefordshire HR1 4NF
Further listening/reading
Girl on the River interview with Charles Watson
The artwork on our save the wye logo is a topologic digital image of part of the River Wye. Created by artist Louis Vass @louisvass
