The Cerne River Map

Cerne Abbas is a village said to be ‘heaving with water’. Just upstream at Minterne Magna, one of the world’s rare chalk streams has its headwaters, before passing through the village on its way to join the River Frome. The Abbey and the famous giant would not be here had it not been for the chalk hills and river.

This month, as part of Emerald Ant’s ‘Bubbles and Squeaks’ project, local children dipped nets into the Cerne, and found bullhead fish, caddis larvae and other fascinating invertebrates. Working with nature writer Kev Parr and artists Liz Somerville and Sarah Butterworth, a river map was created in the church, mapping the river’s journey from source to sea. Children and the local community shared nature sightings, historical facts, their stories and memories of the river, they drew pictures and pasted photographs. There is a strong love and desire to protect this chalk stream. Similar maps have been created in Maiden Newton and Powerstock. September 26th is the date for our community procession along the River Cerne, in the lead up to this we are running speckled trout and leaping salmon workshops for families in village halls. Watch this space!