The Sidmouth Science Festival starts up this weekend:
Sidmouth Science Festival | Sidmouth Science Festival
And there are events of interest to what’s happening on the River Sid:
Wednesday 11th October
19.30: Severe thunderstorm warnings: with reference to the May 9th Otter Valley Flood with Prof Brian Golding
The extreme rainfall in the Otter Valley on May 9th lasted somewhat over 3 hours and is estimated to have amounted to a little over 100mm of rain, an amount with about a 0.1% probability of occurring per year… This was not enough rain to raise the River Otter very much, and only caused minor flooding of the River Sid. On the other hand, it produced torrents of water along tracks and ditches running off Aylesbeare Common into Newton Poppleford and Tipton St John, sufficient to flood houses, block roads and demolish a wall.
Saturday 14th October is Biodiversity Day:
Biodiversity Day | Sidmouth Science Festival
14.00 – 15.00: Prof Peter Hammond and Ash Smith will discuss River Pollution Scandal at Kennaway House Cellar Bar (see separate entry for more details)
Inland and coastal waters in the UK continue to receive a barrage of sewage and agricultural pollution. In England, only 14% of rivers are classified by the Environment Agency with good ecological status.
15:30-16:30: Westcountry Rivers Trust – How can the Camel help the Sid.
The River Sid: photo: Sid Valley Biodiversity Group
Ben will summarise the West Country Rivers Trust initiatives on the River Camel and how holistically the interventions work together towards the goal of river restoration. Ben is the River Operations Team manager, at the West Country Rivers Trust, using his background in environmental science and arboriculture to deliver a wide range of river habitat works across river catchments.
The Sid and the Camel: how can the Camel help the Sid – with Ben Gallant | Sidmouth Science Festival
Biodiversity Day | Sidmouth Science Festival
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