Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY

SO you think its all over? Well it isn't yet! I refer, of course, to the foot and mouth crisis.

For this reason I am curtailing my walks until the all-clear is officially accepted.

We should, however, not forget the countryside. I am therefore going to concentrate on describing some of East Lancashire's rivers which are soon set to become an important part of our tourist industry.

The River Darwen rises on the West Pennine Moors, south of Darwen, and then flows onwards to Blackburn. The main river joins the Blakewater in Witton Park and then turns west to Feniscowles. On it goes, through the comparatively rural area of Hoghton to Walton-le-Dale when it then joins the River Ribble.

The length of the Darwen is just over 18 miles but over this short distance there has been a history of massive pollution. There are still problems but there are signs of a massive improvement in water quality. Despite this, litter is a major problem which reduces the potential of some potentially very beautiful sites, ideal for the development of a thriving tourist industry.

In 1993 the Mersey Basin Campaign launched the Darwen RVI (River Valley Initiative). This is run by a full-time co-ordinator under the guidance of a steering group. I have the honour of chairing this steering group whose members include representatives from the Environment Agency, United Utilities (formerly North West Water), local authorities and the voluntary sector. The aims of all the RVIs is to improve water quality so that local businesses are attracted to the area. It is also vital to set aside areas for wildlife and for those who like to walk in the countryside.

It is vital that local people take a pride in their river and this includes you. If you have a business within the Darwen catchment area, why don't you help us clean it up? If you feel the need to work in a positive way to improve your countryside then you would be made welcome.

The Darwen River Valley Initiative co-ordinator is Sarah Lester and who can be reached by telephone on 01772 877157.

Although we obviously need to keep clear of sites under threat from foot and mouth, there are now some healthy walks in the Darwen catchment area. Here are a few to be going on with, although there will be others worth visiting as the improvements continue:

Darwen Moor and Tower;

Shorey Bank, Darwen;

Ewood Parkway; Witton Park;

Hoghton Bottoms and Hoghton Tower, one of the most interesting buildings in Britain. It is open to the public but you do need to check the times;

River Section Woods (Samlesbury Bottoms to Roach Bridge);

Higher Walton and Walton-le-Dale to the affluence with the Ribble. You must explore the wonderful old church of St Leonards at Walton-le-Dale and also the church of St Leonard the Less at Samlesbury;

Also in this catchment is the half-timbered hall at Samlesbury.

This list shows what an attractive river the Darwen is. The fact that there is so much litter floating in it means that there is much to do. Can you help to image of the Darwen? If the answer is yes, the RVI awaits your call.