Holding Back The Rain

🗓 Two Dates Available
10am - 12.30pm on Sat 10 or Wed 14 Jan

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Join us near the beautiful Priest’s Way to discover nature-friendly action that slows the flow. No concrete. No pipes. Just landscapes remembering how to hold water again 🩵

Once upon some heavy rain in Purbeck, water rushed downhill with nowhere to pause. Fields filled, ditches overflowed & Swanage felt the impact.

On this guided walk, we’ll head upstream to discover first-hand the work the Natural Trust are undertaking for a smarter approach - what happens when we let water slow down, spread out & soak in?

We’ll explore the simple but powerful work of Natural Flood Management. Discover how leaky dams, scrapes & other nature-based techniques recently completed in late 2025 are already making a difference on the ground.

Along the way, we’ll look at how these changes do far more than reduce flood risk. They help clean water before it reaches our streams, create new homes for insects, birds & amphibians + support rivers through both winter storms and summer droughts.

This is also a story about people. Farmers, volunteers & local residents shaping the future of their catchment together. By understanding our streams, watching them change & caring for them, we create something lasting: healthier water, richer wildlife + a shared sense that these streams belong to all of us, now & for generations to come.

So join us now by grabbing your free Slow-The-Flow-Explorer places for a wander through Purbeck’s latest natural wonders...

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🗓 Two Dates available: Sat 10 & Wed 14 Jan
🗺 Meeting Place: Spyway Car Park, Durnford Drove, BH19 3HG
📍 Event Location: A guided walk & talk close to the Priest's Way, Langton Matravers
🩵 Led by: Ben Cooke, National Trust & Luke M Luke, Planet Purbeck - Representing the Swanage Streams Partnership

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🌱 Why It Matters

This event is part of the Swanage Streams Partnership, working to:
🌦 Enhance natural flood & drought resilience
🐸 Support biodiversity & wildlife habitats
💧 Improve local water quality
💚 Connect people with Purbeck’s unique landscape

👢 Important Info

• 👣 Approx 4 miles of walking over the 2.5 hours
• 🐶 No dogs on this occasion due to grazing livestock
• 🥶 Wrap up warm
• 💩 A flip-flop-free zone! Sturdy footwear essential for wet & muddy ground
• ☕ Bring your own drinking water & snacks
• 🛑 Spoiler Alert! Here's a brilliant Swanage News article with lot's more info on the work we'll be exploring
  

Working together for healthy water, thriving wildlife & connected communities