Why do you think chalk streams are important? Well, here is NBY volunteer, Tim, to tell us what he thinks. This is our second volunteer interview - what stories do you have to tell about chalk streams? Reach out to NBY to add your voice to the story! Thank you to Tim for his time and words! 🐛🐞🐟

Chalk streams are a sacred and social force, spanning millennia. From prehistoric Bronze Age artefacts placed in their waters, to the construction of Roman temples at springs, to modern ritual depositions of figures of religious significance in chalk streams - these waters contain so many stories.

We're live streaming!! 🏞 🐟Our wonderful volunteer, Pablo joined us at the Ewelme Brooke, one of the nine Chilterns chalk streams. Why do you think chalk streams are important? Thank you to Pablo for his time, and stay tuned for more volunteer interviews! 🐞🦟🕷🐜🐛

Rivers remind us that all life depends on shared resources, and how small acts of care ripple outwards. Standing together at the banks, we join a lineage of communities who have found meaning in these waters. In caring for our streams, we are honouring both the past, and what flows ahead.

For thousands of years, people journeyed to the Chilterns chalk streams, seeking refreshment and refuge. Chalk springs are holy places - and the rivers they feed were once worshipped as Gods. Today, when we gather at rivers, we converge with a truly ancient history.

Over centuries, rivers have carved valleys and quietly redrawn the land beneath us. Their currents fed mills and factories, helping to spark industries that transformed the UK. And alongside their banks, people have traded, gathered, worshipped, and told stories; NBY seeks to spotlight some of these

Rivers have been written into stories since the earliest records. It is Mole's constant companion in Grahame's Wind in the Willows. Tarka the Otter meets the River as a wilder force, sculpting the landscape. Folklore is filled with tales of rivers, and river folk - we are part of a deep history!

We were delighted to host @jamesaldridgeart.bsky.social on the River Wye and Ewelme Brooke! We discussed the importance of art in nature connection. At the Ewelme watercress beds, we explored the historic role of chalk streams in local industries. Watch this space... 🏞 @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

In ‘Is a River Alive’ Robert MacFarlane invites us to consider rivers as living beings with agency - not inate geographic features. Not Bourne Yesterday celebrated the River Wye for World Rivers Day, as more than a waterway, but as a site of stories and culture.

This morning's office...doing a bit on a new short film with award winning filmmaker Nicola Schafer for @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social Talking about archaeology in a chalk stream - nothing better on a crisp sunny November morning! Watch this space for early 2026 reveal!

Haven't filled out Not Bourne Yesterday's survey yet? Don't worry! We are extending the closing date to Feb 28th, 2026. Add your voice to the Chilterns chalk streams story, and help us develop our community engagement programme. We are grateful for every entry!

Rivers epitomise our memories, culture, habits and ways of being. They connect us to our landscape. We celebrated our extraordinary chalk stream, the Wye, in urban High Wycombe this World Rivers Day - a river that means so much, to so many, for thousands of years. @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Link in bio through our website :) (It takes five minutes, helps us so much, and you could be entered into our £50 prize draw...) 🐟🐟 . @chilternsnl @heritagefunduk . #chalkstreams

The How Many Geese cast get it. Chalk streams are globally rare - and we have them in abundance in England. Nine in the Chilterns. Care to hear more? Find our episode titled 'Charismatic crawlies' wherever you get your podcasts! @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Martha is, once again, in a chalk stream, with a fun, chalk stream fact for you. If you'd like to find out more about our extraordinary chalk streams, follow the link in our bio :) . #chalkstreams

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” (MacClean, 1976). Today is World Mental Health Day, a day to reflect on the rivers that run through our landscapes and minds, inspiring thought and feeling, improving our our mental wellbeing. What is your first memory of a river?

People and place are at the heart of the NBY story - we are delighted to have commissioned @jamesaldridgeart.bsky.social to help us develop and co-create aspects of our programme. Watch this space!

Have you heard the news? Not Bourne Yesterday hosted the @howmanygeese podcast, and the episode is now available to listen to! The link is in our bio - we Talked the Chalk, wildlife and local history. Thank you Jack and Roddy! 🪿🪿 . @chilternsnl @heritagefunduk #howmanygeese #chalkstreams

(river) Bank on it, you'll have the best day! Join Not Bourne Yesterday for World Rivers Day this Sunday 28th September in High Wycombe. Bring your wellies - you never know, you might catch a fish (and return it safely 🫡🐟)

A reminder that our engagement coordinator, Martha, will be hosting a guided chalk stream bird walk on October 4th. We hope to see you there! 🦆🪿🐦 (And hopefully some of these too) :)

Not Bourne Yesterday stream dipping, art and craft and guided walk for World Rivers Day 28 September 10:00-16:00 Desborough Recreation Grounds, Fryers Lane, High Wycombe, HP12 3AN

Chalk stream puns? My cup overflows! Would you like to watch this literal live stream with us? Join us for World Rivers Day 28/9 in High Wycombe - all details on our previous post 🦆🦆 . @heritagefunduk.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

Join us on World Rivers Day at Desborough Recreation Ground, High Wycombe!  🐟Get involved in stream dipping to find fascinating invertebrates 🚶Enjoy a guided walk along the River Wye to learn it's story  💧And many more river activities! Find out more, link in bio! @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Stream-dipping allows us to monitor the health of a river. Fancy joining us in the river? Keep an eye out for an event we will be announcing today.... 🦆 @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Would you like to find out more about chalk streams, ancient, extraoardinary and weaved into the story of human history? 🤔 I've posted a video, linked below (apologies for directing you to another platform!) . @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social www.instagram.com/reel/DN56r3E...

This is why I always say chalk streams are pretty much archaeological constructs in their own right, their natural heritage inextricably linked to their cultural heritage. @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social will be exploring the past, present, and future of our Chilterns floated water meadows

Chalk streams: spring-fed, mineral-rich, and written into the story of human history from source to end. Intrigued to find out more? Have a look at our website to read about our chalk stream engagement programme 🐦📖 @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

You haven't filled out our survey yet? Otter nonsense! Fill out our survey for a chance to win a £50 voucher, and help us in connecting chalk stream communities. Link in bio/below as always! 🦦🦦🦦 @heritagefunduk @chilternsnl #NBY #NotBourneYesterday #chalkstreams #chilterns

Have you spotted this delicate flower, rising alongside a chalk stream before? It is water forget-me-not. Did you know that the genus for this plant is myosotis, meaning 'mouse ear,' believed to be a reference to the shape of its leaves?! 🐭 @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Not an-otter one 🦦🙃 . Another day, another otter craft. This Saturday, NBY attended the River Lea Fun Day in War Down Park, talking about the extraordinary and urban chalk stream, the River Lea. @heritagefunduk.bsky.social @groundworkeast.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

This South Asian Heritage Month (18 July - 17 August) offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the shared heritage of people and place in the Chilterns, celebrating the rich histories and contributions of South Asian ccommunities. @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Fancy joining us for a guided birdwatching walk on of our chalk streams, the Misbourne, on October 4th? Follow the link in our bio for a free ticket! You never know... we might spot the king himself! 🐟 . @nationallottery.bsky.social @chilternstreams.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

Last weekend, we hosted a day of stream-dipping as part of the Hughenden National Trust Summer of Play on the globally-rare Hughenden chalk stream. We dipped in the lush vegetation, uncovering hundreds of minibeasts! . @chilternsnl @heritagefunduk @nationaltrust . #chalkstreams

Otterly creative! 🦦 Last week, we attended the Hughenden Summer of Play, inviting visitors to create otters, and talk about the globally rare Hughenden chalk stream, and the meanings it has for people and wildlife. @chilternsnl.bsky.social @chilternstreams.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Still not sure what Not Bourne Yesterday is? Let our Engagement Coordinator, Martha, explain! 🌾🐟🪳🌊 . @chilternsnl.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social . #chalkstreams #notbourneyesterday

Have you taken our survey yet? 🤔 And if not, why (Wye!) not 🤔 Take our survey to add your voice to the story of the ancient and extraordinary story of the Chilterns chalk streams! (And be entered into our £50 voucher prize draw!) Link in bio! @heritagefunduk.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

Join us this Sunday for some stream-dipping at Hughenden National Trust! 🔗 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxford...

‘What is Not Bourne Yesterday?’ I hear you ask – let our Development Manager, Fran Crowther, explain! Take our five minute survey in our bio to help us find what chalk streams mean to you, and how we can add your voice to an ancient and powerful chalk stream story.  @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

Join us in exploring the story of the Hughenden Stream at Hughenden National Trust's Summer of Play on 03.08.2025, free tickets available to book! 

Why monitor Water Voles? 🔍Regular surveys help us: 📶Track population health 🔴Spot threats early (like invasive mink) 🍃Improve river habitats 🎯Measure the success of restoration projects This week the CCSP team have been out Water Vole monitoring in #Chesham on the #RiverChess.

We're looking forward to joining the @nationaltrust.org.uk 'Summer of Play' at Hughenden Manor. Wed 30th July - chalk stream themed crafts in the orchard Sunday 3rd Aug - family stream dipping sessions in Hughenden Stream. Details & booking https://bit.ly/45wPhFP With @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social

Sharing your thoughts about Chilterns chalk streams *and* be in with a chance to win a prize?? What's not to like?

We want to hear from you! 🐟🌾As a community-powered programme, we need your help. Take five minutes to complete our quick survey, and be entered into an All4One voucher prize draw. The link is in our bio, thank you! 🏞 @heritagefunduk.bsky.social @chilternsnl.bsky.social

The River Wye, so steeped in history, if you listen closely, you might hear the echoes of waterwheels turning. Follow the link to our website for our first Chalk Stream of the Month post!  @chilternsnl.bsky.social  @heritagefunduk.bsky.social

LGBTQIA+ individuals often face systemic discrimination and stigma – the lived experiences of which can affect mental wellbeing significantly. LGBTQIA+ people are statistically more likely to develop depression and anxiety than their cisgendered, straight peers. 1/x 🧵

I'd like to welcome the brilliant @notbourneyesterday.bsky.social programme to @bsky.app 😎 The team, Fran Crowther at the tiller and Martha Glennon in the Engine Room, are developing, in collaboration with partners and communities, a major bid for @nationallottery.bsky.social Watch this space!