Friends of the Land Yeo was formed in 2003 with the aim to maintain and enhance the Land Yeo river.
Initially this focused on the removal of debris, foliage and agreement with the council to maintain water levels. Improvements in water quality have increased the numbers of fish and improved the river as a habitat for birds and mammals including swans, little egrets, kingfishers, herons and otters.
Improvements to the riverside has resulted in new footpaths being laid. The group has also developed a series of river walks.
History
In 2002, Clevedon Civic Society’s environment group expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of the river and a public meeting in the town was arranged to gauge the amount of interest.
A packed meeting, chaired by Cllr Michael Adames, confirmed strong support for action. This call came from many people who lived close to the river and in many cases had riparian rights and responsibilities for the river adjacent to their houses. It was agreed that a group of volunteers the ‘Land Yeo Friends’ should be formed with the the aim of collectively working to maintain and enhance the river.
It was made clear at the inaugural meeting in October 2003 that the Land Yeo Friends would be entirely independent of the Town and District Councils and would be a pressure group, but also able, within its constitution, to seek funding and where appropriate, to manage enhancement contracts.
Professional help and advice has been provided by independent consultant Barry Underwood, the Environment Agency and North Somerset Council. Cllr Adames was our first chairman.
- Working Party with collected rubbish
How it started
Click on image to expand – then the back arrow to close
From the Clevedon Town Council Newsletter Feb 2005
How the river was viewed – press reports
- Clevedon Mercury Dec 2002
- North Somerset Times Dec 2003
- Mercury March 2004
Achievements
Automation of the tilting weir at Cook’s Clyse
Instrumental in raising the river’s profile
Reduction in unsightly debris
Improvement at Meadow Road development
Initiated de-culverting of McCarthy Stone development and the clearing of the blocked culvert in Queens Square
Breeding Swans
Tree Planting at Coleridge Vale
Excellent working relationship with North Somerset Council and the Environment Agency
New walkway between Strode Road and Yeo Way
The river flow has improved following clearance of the culverts
The following is an example
Right Winter 2011 – Left Winter 2012
Aims
Wider appreciation that the river is
AN ASSET – NOT A LIABILITY
A river walk from Bristol to Clevedon through the Land Yeo Valley
Culvert screens to prevent debris entering the culverts
Land Yeo Friends 
Hello. Are you still active as a group.
I’m currently surveying the otter population throughout the local river systems and would be interested in any comments you may have. Thank you
Hi
Yes the group is still active. Our AGM is 7:30pm 7th Sept and our next normal bimonthly meeting is 7:30 pm Thurs 5th October. Both meetings are open to all and are at Clevedon Sailing Club. As it happens we have just been in contact with Eric Heath of Avon Wildlife Trust with regard to a circular new walking route using footpaths around the Land Yeo and the Blind Yeo. I’ll see what current information members have at the meeting re otters.
Hello Again
I have some information regarding my study of otters as I discussed with you at the meeting I came too in 2017.
I don’t want to publicly share this information, so if your interested I can send some info to a email address.
Thanks
I just tried to walk part of the 2 rivers walk but had to turn back. I got as far as the zig zag path the other side of court lane but there was no route through the horses that are in the field surrounded by what looks like electric fencing
Hi . The electric fence is across a public footpath. and this has been the case for some while. The landowner is apparently allowed to erect such a feature across a path but must make it safe and reasonably passable. In the case the landowner has put plastic tube over the electric fence wire to allow passage along the public footpath. By continuing across the electric fence you are following the correct route along the public footpath. The LYF have endeavoured to make the whole route as accessible as possible; stiles have been removed and replaced with kissing gates etc. This fence is the one remaining improvement area. The Land Yeo Friends have recently been in touch with the North Somerset Council’s rights of way officer to see if a better solution can be arrived at.
Please could I ask that people respect that Powells Acres and the riverbank behind the houses in Sumerlin Drive are NOT a public right of way and part of this walk. Residents along this stretch have had to pick up dog poo on a regular basis. In Powells Acres people walk across the driveway with muddy boots leaving mud over the driveway and walk directly in front of the window. Bags of dog poo have also been left outside,I have even had a dog urinate on my front door.
We have had to put up temporary signs and block up the pathway – please could you address this as a matter of urgency as people are still using this route.
The map of the walk has been updated to clarify the route at the location where walkers approach Powells Acres, with specific instructions not to enter Powells Acres added. A separate note has also been added to the website home page to identify Powells Acres as private land. We hope this helps with your issue.