April on the Wey: Community, collaboration, and citizen science

Posted on by Alex Pocock

It’s been a month of connection! April has been full of energy along the River Wey,   from early‑spring sampling sessions to Good Friday filming in the Community Lab. Volunteers and partners have been out exploring, testing, and sharing what makes our river so special.

This post is written by Alex, the River Wey Community Coordinator. Alex works with the River Wey Trust, Water Rangers and ZERO Guildford to support river activities, including water testing and the community lab. You can learn more about volunteering in the River Wey region here.

What we have been up to…

Learning through action

Across the catchment, groups have been checking water quality, gathering samples for E. Coli testing, kick sampling for invertebrates, and learning more about the Wey’s changing habitats. Each activity adds another piece to the puzzle of understanding our river, and it’s inspiring to see how local curiosity turns into collective knowledge.

Jo collecting a sample
Peter, being our local expert!
Students getting in the river, learning how to kick test.

I met with Jo from ROAR Outdoors to collect an E. coli sample to be processed in the lab. Students participating in kick sampling in Allee’s Meadow in Liphook. Volunteers kick sampling and exploring the river’s invertebrate life, discovering what these tiny creatures reveal about water quality.

Capturing collaboration

Good Friday brought a lively morning of filming, capturing the spirit of teamwork that runs through everything we do. Volunteers worked together in the lab and by the river, showing how citizen science connects people as much as it collects data.

Behind the scenes in the Community Lab

The hub of activity

ZERO Carbon Guildford continues to provide a welcoming base for our work, with the Community Lab buzzing with activity and conversation. Water Rangers’ tools and mentorship keep our monitoring consistent and accessible, helping volunteers feel confident and supported as they gather and share results.

The Community Lab at ZERO Carbon Guildford. A space for learning, testing, and connecting.

Looking ahead

As spring unfolds, we’re looking forward to more events, more data, and more stories from across the catchment. Every test, every conversation, and every shared photo helps protect the Wey for future generations.

Dates

  • Sat 25th April:  Water Blitz Event. At Zero. 10-12pm
  • Sat 25th April:  Earth Day at Haslemere Museum  10-12pm
  • Sunday 26th April: Water Quality and RiverFly. Allee’s Meadow in Liphook. 10-12pm
  • 10th May: Gilbert White Nature Day
  • 23rd May – 31st May:  London Rivers Week 2026
  • From 1st June: Let’s Pull Together – Balsam Bash. I’d love help to coordinate this catchment‑wide effort. If you’re planning an event or have ideas for how we can maximise impact, please let Alex know (alex@waterrangers.com).
  • 6th June – 14th June: The Great Big Green Week We need your help please. 
  • Sunday 14th June: Big Green Day in Guildford.  Zero, WR & RWT focusing on river action and fundraising.
  • 13th-14th June: Bramshott Open Gardens  Allee’s Meadow

Join our Water Blitz Event or follow the The River Wey Trust  and Water Rangers on social media. Want to get involved? More information is here! Whether you’re testing, exploring, or simply cheering us on, your support helps keep the Wey flowing strong!