GRAHAM URGES SUPPORT FOR USK IN 2010 RIVERS POLL

Wednesday, 1st September 2010

William Graham AM today encouraged the residents and many Summer visitors to South Wales East to vote for the River Usk in the Our Rivers 2010 poll to discover England and Wales’ best loved river.

‘The Usk has played a pivotal role in the history of the South East Wales area, having been used as a transport and trade route for much of the last millennium. The river is renowned for its salmon and trout fishing, and continues to attract anglers, boaters and walkers from near and far.’

The Conservative AM for South Wales East added;

‘The river is rightly designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and with sensible management will continue to be cherished for generations by the communities of Monmouthshire and Newport. The Newport Medieval Ship discovered in 2002 gives us an invaluable record of the River’s importance to traders in the fifteenth century, while on this Bank Holiday Monday at Newport Riverfront it provided a memorable backdrop to the highest wire walk performed in the United Kingdom.’

‘The River must be a strong contender to win the poll organised by Our Rivers – which is a coalition of some of the country's leading NGOs – including the WWF, RSPB, and the Angling Trust.’

ENDS

To find out more about the Our Rivers 2010 poll visit: www.ourrivers.org.uk/