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Organisations gear up for REALLY Big Dee Day Celebration Event

Published: 08/09/2016

Organisations across England and Wales are gearing up for a family event in Chester, to celebrate all things connected with the River Dee. The REALLY Big Dee Day will be held at Edgar’s Field Park in Handbridge, Chester on Saturday, 17 September from 11am to 3pm. Organised to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the annual clean-up along the banks of the River Dee – Big Dee Day - the event will feature activities and stalls connected with the river and its communities, past and present. Groups from across Cheshire West and North Wales will come together to mark the occasion. The annual Big Dee Day clean-up, organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Flintshire Council, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, promises to be bigger and better than ever for its 10 year anniversary. Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of Flintshire County Council said: “Flintshire County Council is proud to be involved in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Big Dee Day. “The ‘REALLY Big Dee Day’ will offer a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the fantastic heritage and history of the River Dee and its estuary. The event will also emphasise how important it is to ensure that we continue do our very best to protect the River Dee’s unique and fascinating environment”. Cheshire West and Chester Council Leader, Councillor Samantha Dixon said: “It’s wonderful that our successful cross-border collaboration has now resulted in such an exciting celebration event for the Big Dee Day’s 10 year anniversary. “There will be something for everyone at REALLY Big Dee Day and I hope as many people as possible take this opportunity to find out more about the organisations, businesses, groups and local communities living beside the River Dee. Cheshire West and Chester Council has been proud of its association with Big Dee Day for many years. Our stand at REALLY Big Dee Day will offer visitors the opportunity to plant a wildflower pot that they can then take away with them.” Jo Holden, Catchment Coordinator for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency will be gathering views on what people think about the River Dee as well as asking, “How well do you know your drains?” and offering advice on how to check that your waste water pipes are connected to the sewer system rather than the local rivers. “Visitors to our stand will be able to help us draw a mural called ‘What the River Dee means to me’ and other craft activities.” Carys Bebb, Environment Officer for Natural Resources Wales, said: “The River Dee is a vitally important resource and we work hard to protect it. “It provides drinking water for millions of people, is a great habitat for wildlife with salmon migrating here to spawn and supports industry across the area. “It is also a somewhere for people to go and enjoy our natural environment so the Big Dee Day is really important to keep it clean and rubbish free. “During the Big Dee event NRW officers will discuss pollution prevention with local businesses and agricultural premises, highlighting the sensitivity of the River Dee. Getting to know local operators along the Dee and its tributaries will further strengthen our response to pollution incidents in the future. “It’s also an opportunity for us to check that businesses who store chemicals have registered for the appropriate consent.” Although parking is limited in Handbridge, Edgar’s Field Park is just a short walk from the centre of city. Information about parking, bus timetables and the new cross-city park and ride service can be found on the Council’s website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. Notes to editors: The Big Dee Day has been an annual event since 2007. The idea first began on Talacre beach when Flintshire Countryside Service and partners BHP Billiton, Presthaven Sands, Talacre Beach Club, the local community and Natural Resources Wales decided to survey the beach to help highlight marine litter and the damage it can do. Since then, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Denbighshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Wirral Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Snowdonia National Park, plus many other volunteers and local businesses – including Airbus, Kingspan and Kimberley Clark – have also got involved and the event has gone from strength to strength.