Shropshire Show date for Severn Valley Water Management Scheme

Some of the SVWMS team who attended the show in 2025

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) team will be at this year’s Shropshire County Agricultural Show to talk with visitors about progress on the scheme and what has been learned from a successful year of demonstrator projects across the Upper Severn.

The team will be on hand to speak with show visitors and exhibitors about how SVWMS is working with local communities, farmers and landowners to test practical approaches to managing water more naturally, while supporting wider benefits for people, places and the environment.

Over the past year, the SVWMS Demonstrator Programme, managed by Shropshire Council, has delivered a number of projects designed to test how an integrated approach to water management can work in practice. These projects are helping to build the evidence base for nature‑based solutions, showing how working with natural processes can reduce flood risk, improve resilience and bring wider environmental benefits.

Tom Dainty, Shropshire Council deputy Cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, said:-

“The past year has been a really important one for the demonstrator projects. They’ve moved from testing ideas to seeing real, on‑the‑ground results, and that’s helping to prove the value of nature‑based solutions as part of a long‑term approach to managing water in the Severn catchment.

“The projects are giving us practical evidence about what works, where it works best and how it can be delivered in partnership with the people who live and work on the land. That learning is now directly shaping the next stages of the scheme and helping the SVWMS team make more informed decisions about future options.”

The SVWMS is continuing to develop its long‑term water management strategy and will be engaging with communities and stakeholders on the next phase of work, informed by the lessons learned from the demonstrator projects.

As well as attending the Shropshire County Show, the team will also be at the Royal Welsh Show later this summer.

People can keep up to date with progress on the scheme, as well as upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, via the SVWMS website.

The Shropshire County Agricultural Show takes place at the West Mid Showground, Berwick Road, Shrewsbury, on Saturday 23 May.

About the SVWMS: The SVWMS is a cross-border initiative led by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council, and Shropshire Council, and funded by Defra. Its aim is to develop a holistic water management strategy for the upper Severn, which could serve as a model for similar projects nationwide.

To learn more about the SVWMS visit: Have Your Say Today – Severn Valley Water Management Scheme – Commonplace