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Since being closed in July 2023, Boxted Bridge finally reopened to pedestrians and cyclists on 28 January. Once flooding had subsided in early March, the booms beneath the bridge were finally removed to reinstate through passage for paddlers. Boxted Bridge is a 127-year-old Victorian structure and there is an appeal to raise funds to have …

Five members of the Trust had the honour to meet the King recently, when His Majesty and the Queen made a flying visit to Dedham. The King had expressed a wish to meet local volunteer “heroes”, involved in environmental projects in the region. In recognition of RST’s achievements and ongoing work, we were honoured to …

River campaigners say the river Stour has become so choked with excess reed and tree growth that in places it represents a danger to canoeists and other river users. The River Stour Trust and Sudbury Canoe Club are launching a new joint campaign to restore the waterway. The image shows Sudbury Canoe Club Chair, Nikki …

Thursday 24 April 2025 Long ago an Anglo-Saxon noble was buried within a 90 foot longship in a mound at Sutton Hoo, just across the river from Woodbridge. He was almost certainly King Raedwald, who died in 624. The ship was not discovered until 1939 – by then all that remained was its imprint in …

Thursday 20th March at The Granary The talk will be given by Steve Butler (Sudbury Skipper and IWM Duxford tour guide), and shares his knowledge of the Lancaster bombing raids over Germany in WWII (this is a re-run of the talk given in October 2024). This is an invitation to to all Trust members and …

Thursday 27th February at The Granary This illustrated talk will be given by Stephen Nunn, Antiquarian Researcher from Maldon the home of Thames Barges. This talk fits in well with Lighters that plied their trade on the River Stour and transferred their loads to and from these barges for seagoing travel. Doors open at 6pm, …

Boxted Bridge remains fully closed to all vehicles and pedestrians as well as the navigation underneath. A recent Colchester Gazette article reveals Essex Highways’ have so far spent £500,061.47 on subcontract and professional fees since the 2017/18 financial year (click here). Disappointingly, this article is not alone in disregarding the impact on river users when …

The River Stour Trust is delighted to have confirmation of the designation of bathing water status for the stretch of the River Stour along Friars Meadow at Sudbury, Suffolk. The ‘Clean Water Initiative’ was led by the River Stour Trust and supported by Sudbury Town Council. The campaign was undoubtedly successful thanks to the determination …

A massive pat on the back to River Stour Trust’s fantastic project coordinator, John, for all his efforts and unwavering enthusiasm! One final hurdle before designated bathing water status is approved for the River Stour (along Friar’s Meadow at Sudbury). There is a two week public consultation (closes on 10 March) so do send your …

Campaigners working towards achieving Designated Bathing Water Status for the River Stour in Sudbury want help – mostly from the weather! Since Defra, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, has issued new rules stipulating that water use surveys must show at least 100 bathers using the river in a single day; it has …