On Thursday 13th April 2023 the previously healthy water of Gilling Beck turned black and remained black for twenty four hours. The cause of this devastating event is currently under investigation by the authorities. The tragic result of this pollution incident was the extermination of every living aquatic creature in the system from Ravensworth to the River Swale at Brompton. The previously thriving fish population mainly consisting of brown trout and grayling was wiped out. Some rarer fish were also found dead in the water course including lamprey, and salmon parr plus a perch and a large chub. The invertebrates on which the fish feed were decimated too. Gilling West Fly Fishing club hope that with advice and guidance from the Wild Trout Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, The Dales Rivers Trust and The Angling Trust we can implement measures to speed up the recovery process to eventually restore the ecosystem to what it was before. We hope that we will have the support of our brilliant local farmers and land owners most of whom are as keen as we are to look after the countryside. Also from the local community who love nature and enjoy watching the otters, kingfishers, ducks, water voles and other birds and animals that live in and by the water. It will take many years for the system to recover but there are lots of things we can do to help. Log deflectors fixed to the river bed put oxygen into the water. Tree branches fixed to the bank side provide fish cover from predation, reduce erosion and are habitat for insects. Trees growing along the edge provide shade and cover and their roots stabilize the banks and are shelter and residence for fish and invertebrates. There is much that we can do. We need funds to purchase the tools and materials required. For example : Steel reinforcing bars and wire to fix things in position on the river bed or bank. Timber, nails, electric saws, hand tools such as mauls. Custom made rebar caps and modified post knockers to hammer in the rebar. We need water monitoring kits to enable us to keep testing the water for the next five years. We will also have to pay for periodical electrofishing surveys to enable us to evaluate the type, number and size of fish as they eventually start to return. This is a major undertaking. It would be easy just to walk away but we are up for the challenge. We have a wonderful team of dedicated people who are willing to give up their time to do what has to be done but we need funds. If you love nature as we do and would like to see Gilling and Skeeby Beck recover please make a donation.