Tag: demonstration

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#March For (Clean) Water

I joined the Clean Water march last Sunday ending in Parliament Square, London. Environmental groups from across the country taking part. What an energetic and festive scene it was! I did some iphone filming. The thunderous sound of the great Surfers Against Sewage samba batterie and the “Clean Water” chant drove us marchers on. All ringing in my ears (and toes) when I got home. I put the “”Clean Water” chant together with some music I’ve been writing. This short film was the result.

The reason I marched is my concern about the contribution of water pollution, from industry, agriculture and sewerage, to killing off species in our rivers and seas. Back home in Cornwall there has been a sudden and catastrophic 60% decline in the numbers of salmon and sea trout in the Fowey river over the last five years compared to the previous 10 year average. At that rate they’ll be extinct in 5-10 years. The reasons are complex but river pollution certainly isn’t helping. Scientists are now also commenting on the increase in sea temperatures impacting on plankton which are crucial to the marine food chain.

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“Seasons of Migration – from the ocean to the moor”

“Seasons of Migration – from the ocean to the moor” is a short film highlighting the beauty of Cornwall’s iconic Fowey river and the ancient legend of Saint Neot’s miracle of the three fish which took place there. It traces the path of migrating salmon, through nature’s four seasons, from the river’s coastal estuary to its source on Bodmin Moor. Once bounteous, these fish are now facing extinction.
“Seasons of Migration” also reveals an ancient, but forgotten, truth about nature and sustainability. It was first recorded over 1,000 years ago and later memorialised in the 1530 “Life of St. Neot” stained glass window in the village’s mediaeval church. The film is enhanced by a sound track with field recordings made along the river banks and flowing piano and double bass improvisations.
If you liked the film, and want to help to conserve our natural environment, you could buy a copy. The profit from its sales are donated to the ‘not for profit’ Fowey Rivers Association and to the Atlantic Salmon Trust , to help meet the costs of their research into the causes of the extinction and them protecting and enhancing the natural environment of rivers and nurturing migratory fish.

You can watch the full film by clicking on this link

I’d been exploring the Fowey river back home in Cornwall for many years. When I discovered I could make films using just my iPhone, and add field recordings and music , I fulfilled a long held ambition to tell the story of the river and its inhabitants. After many visits over two years I hope to have captured something of natures fragile beauty. But none of this was possible without the generous help of my collaborators, including gifted musicians, who shared my vision .