Friends of the Exe Festival hailed 'great success' by organisers
The Friends of the River Exe Festival took place from September 18 to 24, featuring the successful Festival of the Exe Night Swim with Exmouth Quakers on day two.
Exmouth Quakers said: "We were delighted to hold this event for the Festival of the Exe.
"Over 40 people braved the wild autumnal night, coming from all long the River Exe to show their support and love for our beautiful river. It was such a fun event!
"The coloured lights looked amazing on the river and everyone enjoyed the toasted marshmallows around the fire afterwards."
On Saturday (September 23), there was a Singing Walk, including the Lympstone to Exmouth singing train. Led by community choir and music leaders Emma Welton, Sarah Pennington and Tess Read, singers walked along the riverbank past sites of historic and natural interest from Exeter Quay to Exmouth Railway Club.
The Salmon Run took place on Sunday, (September 24) - where runners follow the salmon’s upstream migration ‘run’ - is back after its pilot last year by popular demand. Runners could choose from a team relay in six sections from Exmouth to Exmoor, a 5K from Exeter to Exwick, or the mighty Ultra from Exmouth to Exmoor.
Friends of the River Exe say that '84% of England's salmon rivers are 'at risk' including the Exe with populations on the verge of collapse.
Westcountry Rivers Trust will be at the start of the Salmon Run 5K as part of their #BringingRivers2U summer campaign to explain their Strategic Exe Weirs project to help fish migration in the River Exe and how to get involved in citizen science.
Friends of the River Exe will be at Exeter Custom House during the Harbour Heritage Festival (Sunday 24 September) celebrating the arrival of a 100 ft sailing barge, The Snark.
There, young nature lovers can pick up an I-Spy Noticing Nature Along the Exe in Exeter activity sheet and can you spot the unmistakable work of the Exmouth Yarn Bombers in the festival week.
