To celebrate nearing the end of the five year Transforming the Trent Valley (TTTV) scheme, September saw us gather together people from across the region to highlight our successes.

We held a celebration evening at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday 6th September to thank the scheme partners, our funders and volunteers who have all contributed to the success of TTTV.  Speeches by Garry Jones, Chief Executive of Support Staffordshire, and Glyn Morgan, National Lottery Heritage Fund Committee Member for England, Midlands & East emphasised that the passion and commitment of the team, amazing volunteers and project partners have transformed the Trent Valley. Projects completed since 2018 have focused on living floodplains, distributing community grants, creating new sections of the Trent Valley Way, WildChild, working with local schools and adding to the enjoyment of the landscape for all to experience. Julian Woolford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, spoke at the event about the significance of the TTTV scheme to the area, the positive impact on people and wildlife and working together to create a legacy. Louise Morris, Landscape Partnership Manager, introduced the premiere of a stunning new film showcasing all our accomplishments for the people and nature of the Trent Valley.

You can now enjoy the celebration film on our website: www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/successes to follow our journey as we discuss the successes, challenges, and highlights of this wonderful scheme.

As summer 2023 closed, we organised a community day to say thank you and to display the best of the Trent Valley. What a fun day! Based in Newton Road Park, Burton on Saturday 9th September, visitors delighted in tall tales from The Old Man of the Woods and were serenaded by the Uttoxeter brass band. With free entry and free activities ranging from wood carving demonstrations, face painting, WildChild adventures, pebble painting and wildlife recording, everyone who attended had a brilliant time. Food was supplied by local vendors. The sun shone (it turned out to be the hottest day of the year) and people kept cool sitting by the river, learning how to fish from the riverbank and how to paddle a Canadian canoe. Even the brass band tried the canoe sessions! Thank you to our stall holders for their support and for all who took part to provide an excellent celebration for the community.

• Unmasking an Ancient Church in the Trent Valley
• Watch how we’ve transformed the Trent Valley