Nature Waterlight A journey along the river Mel Film showing at the David Attenborough Building, Cambridge University. This was the most prestigious showing of the film so far. Located in the important David Attenborough building, off Pembroke Street at the heart of the University, it was hosted by the Cambridge Conservation Forum and the Cam Valley Forum. The David Attenborough building, to quote from a news report on its opening: “acts as a collaborative hub for the conservation community within Cambridge and beyond. Creating a collaborative and dynamic space in which experts from academia, practice and policy interact and work together on a daily basis helps shape the future of life on Earth and the relationship between people and the natural environment on which we depend for our own wellbeing and survival.” It is visually stunning and the reception is backed by a wall of live plants stretching several stories high. The CCF and CVF are significant conservation organisations in Cambridge. The CCF, a founder member of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI), assists in co-ordinating the activities of over 60 conservation organisations in and around Cambridge, including practitioners and researchers. Cam Valley Forum is the co-ordination body for an extensive network of partners working to protect and improve the environment of the River Cam and its tributaries, including the River Mel. It was therefore a very significant venue in which to show the film. The event was fully booked (about a hundred spaces) several weeks before the event, indicating the interest in this topic. The audience comprised representatives of conservation organisations and river groups in and around Cambridge, stretching as far afield as Baldock, Bury St Edmunds and Milton Keynes. CCF had kindly provided refreshments, and this provided an opportunity for individuals to mingle and share their river experiences and conservation initiatives. Several groups
expressed an interest in developing a similar project and there were expressions of interest for showing the film at other venues. After an enjoyable break the evening continued with questions to a well-informed panel of: Rob Mungovan: Wild Trout Trust (who had also assisted with Mel restoration); Ruth Hawksley: Wildlife Trust (who had also advised on Mel restoration); Steve Hawkins: Chair of the Mel River Restoration Group; Mike Foley: Bird expert and Member of CVF.
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Photograph above and below by Bruce Huett
melbournmagazine@gmail.com
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