RAIN Northamptonshire

12/06/2026

The RAIN project team attended the Flood & Coast exhibition and conference this week. It was a brilliant opportunity to learn, share ideas and to see flood resilience innovation in action.

For example, this miniature model of a town where sustainable urban drainage has been put into action, versus a town that hasn't provides a fantastic visual of the impact sustainable drainage has on soaking up excess rainfall, reducing impacts on central drainage systems.

Through the use of rain gardens, permeable surfaces and nature-based solutions, it really demonstrated the reduction of water on our systems.

Thanks to everyone we met, the sessions we attended, and congratulations to everyone who was recognised at the Flood & Coast Excellence Awards, including our fellow FCRIP programme Resilient Roch.

08/06/2026

Delighted to share with you the latest RAIN Project Newsletter – providing a great insight on all the activities we have been working on over the last six months or more.

It’s been a busy time with our various initiatives, from natural flood management works through to progressing the Property Flood Resilience installation programme on 95 properties across Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook catchments.

Read the newsletter here: https://rainnorthants.co.uk/rain-newsletter/

If you have taken part in RAIN's Property Flood Resilience (PFR) scheme, you will soon be receiving access to the Resilico Connect app - your free flood-smart companion.

05/06/2026

New Pond Completed at Rush Meadow Ponds 🌧️💧🌿

Delighted to confirm that an additional pond has now been created at Rush Meadow Ponds wetland near Brigstock.

Designed with a variety of depths and shallow shelves, the pond has been carefully created to maximise its value for wildlife, providing a range of habitats for aquatic plants, insects, amphibians and other species.

The new feature also incorporates a timber structure, similar in principle to a leaky dam, helping to slow and manage water flows as they move through the site.

This photograph was taken just before the heavens opened and the rain began to pour - a timely reminder of why projects like this matter!

By holding water higher up in the catchment and working with natural processes, these interventions can play an important role in supporting communities further downstream.

A huge thank you to landowner Hugh Shrive for his continued enthusiasm, support and commitment to the project.

Thanks too to our project partners Ebsford Environmental Ltd and Nene Rivers Trust CIO in bringing this additional pond to life.

The team at Nene Rivers Trust will be returning to the site to further enhance biodiversity and continue monitoring the natural flood management measures, helping us to understand the long-term benefits these ponds deliver.

And while we're on the subject of Rush Meadow Ponds... the wildflower meadows are looking absolutely spectacular this year! 🌼🌸

Now, on to the next site along the Harpers Brook catchment... watch this space for more updates!

31/05/2026

A new addition is arriving at Rush meadow ponds wetland near Brigstock!

An extra pond will soon be created to add further water capacity. Look out for our contractors who will be returning soon to create the new area.

With a further pond, it will also create more opportunities to spot more wildlife there! Do please share any sightings you see with us!

28/05/2026

Our project manager Sarah enjoyed going to the Nene Valley catchment partnership meeting last week… it is so important to understand other works across the Nene catchment and how our work here at RAIN can feed into those stories and strategies.

We also had a great site visit learning about the cascade and a fish pass on the site along with some history of the gardens.

Thanks to the team at Nene Rivers Trust for hosting such a great event.

27/05/2026

To say we were excited to see such life taking shape in the Rush Meadow Ponds wetland near Brigstock is an understatement! 🌿🐸

We are delighted to share this little video clip showing countless tadpoles thriving in the waters there; a fantastic example of how climate resilience and biodiversity can go hand in hand.

Projects like this are not just about helping manage water and reduce flood risk within the catchment of Harpers Brook, they are also about creating healthier, more vibrant natural environments where wildlife can flourish.

A lovely moment to see the wetland already making such a positive impact.

27/05/2026

What a total delight to see such life forming in Rush Meadow Ponds - our wetland site just outside of Brigstock. Do share details or photos of any other wildlife you spot if passing by! We would@live to hear your updates.

20/05/2026

Yesterday, the team was out with our project partner, talking with amazing landowners and farmers who want to make positive changes in their landscapes to help raise biodiversity and flood resilience.

So many interesting opportunities!