Staycation paddlers bring fresh life to river immortalised by John Constable

Sales of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards have soared this year with more people staying closer to home, taking to the water rather than the skies.

The River Stour has seen an increase in visitors, which has been a welcome sight to the volunteers who help to maintain it.

Its popularity is due both to scenery immortalised in the paintings of John Constable and the hard work of the River Stour Trust who protect the public’s right to use it.  

Instructor Matty Hurrell runs lessons on the river in Dedham and says business has been booming.

Navigation rights to the river from Sudbury in Suffolk to Manningtree in Essex date back to 1705 and those rights still exist today thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers at the River Stour Trust.  They’ve built and restored locks, opening up a further 10 miles of the river.

Once a year the Trust brings together a group of experienced and novice paddlers for the Sudbury to Sea event to reinforce that right to navigation. 300 crafts usually take part.  This year it was just 100, due to coronavirus restrictions.

Currently, through navigation between Sudbury and Manningtree is only achievable by craft that can be portaged such as canoes and kayaks.

The River Stour Trust seeks to reinstate through navigation, improve river access points and campaign  for a change to the byelaws to permit small, electric boats on the whole stretch of the River Stour.