As the year comes to a close, it is a good time to thank all our key sponsors and supporters over the years. BedsGOVET relies completely on charity funding to be able to acquire the high-tech equipment required to under the ongoing monitoring and testing of the river in 16 different places along the River Great Ouse. Without the funding, we would not be able to get the monthly tests results which are undertaken by a UKAS accredited laboratory. These results are the only weapon we have to show that the River Great Ouse is under ongoing attack through the abuse of sewage spills.
One of our key supporters and funders from the inception of the BedsGOVET Charity has been Bedford’s local brewer Wells & Co., a company with a long history and one that can boast an award winning reputation for sustainability within their own sector. I had an opportunity to meet with Ed Robinson, Head of Sustainability at Wells & Co. recently and asked him why Wells & Co have been such a staunch supporter funding us an amazing £30,000 to date.

When did Wells &Co. first get involved with BedsGOVET?
The increasingly polluted state of many of Britain’s rivers has become a topic of national concern in recent years and the River Great Ouse is sadly no exception to this trend. In the summer of 2023 Wells & Co. was approached for support by a new local environmental charity whose members had decided that the time had come to take a stand. The BedsGOVET team of local citizen scientists explained to our CEO, Peter Wells and I that their early research h had highlighted shocking levels of E.coli and other pollutants found at various points along the river where they had been carrying out testing. Their request was for financial support to fund the next phase of their water quality testing; we were only too happy to answer their call.
Why does this science citizen project resonate with Wells & Co.?
The River Great Ouse, running the length of Bedfordshire and beyond, is a very special part of our community. Almost everyone interacts with it in some way, shape or form and Wells family members are no exception. As an environmental project taking place within our local region for our local community, BedsGOVET’s project was a clear opportunity for Wells & Co. to ‘walk the walk’ when it came to our Triple Bottom Line philosophy.

What do you hope to achieve from your continuous support?
The BedsGOVET team presented such a compelling case that, not only were we quick to offer our financial support, but we wondered how best we could raise public awareness of this vital project. Our friends at the Bedford Independent recognised its value and have done an incredible job of bringing it to life by providing space for a monthly column chronicling BedsGOVET’s research findings and helping drum up support for the campaign in our local community.

As a fifth-generation family business with its history rooted in Bedford, we will continue to back and support environmental projects borne from members of our local community as well as those further afield that align with our organisational values.
It’s unbelievable to see the effort the BedsGOVET trustees and local volunteers are putting into tackling this huge challenge. There are a number different ways that businesses can invest in sustainability; to be able to focus on a project in our local community, that is meaningful to us personally is a great privilege. We’re looking forward to, over time, seeing the positive impact of this campaign as we endeavour to restore The River Great Ouse to its former beauty for all to enjoy.

How does the BedsGOVET charity fit with your own company values?
As a long standing family business rooted in Bedford Borough, it feels only right to support an environmental project borne from members of our local community and in service to that same community. Our Triple Bottom Line philosophy challenges us to factor planet, people and profit considerations into every decision we make as a business. Campaigns such as Don’t Lose The Ouse are a meaningful way for us to embody this ethos; we’re really proud of our involvement in theproject.
What are your personal views on the current situation with regards the state of UK rivers and River Great Ouse?

Simply put, the sorry condition of the UK’s waterways is a national scandal. Campaigns such as Don’t Lose The Ouse are shining a light on decades of mismanagement by those responsible for the stewardship of these rivers, who have consistently placed personal enrichment above any sense of environmental or social responsibility. The work of BedsGOVET and other grass-roots organisations across the country is vital in elevating this conversation in the national consciousness and fighting for.

Our other funders that have helped us over the last year and to whom we would like to thank for their help, interest and financial support are:
• Wixamtree Charity
• DIL Motion
• National Highways
• Bedford Rural Fund
• Wells & Co (Charles Wells)