The brilliantly named Ouse it or Lose it - is a newly formed initiative by a group of York based open water swimmers, who formed their swimming group in October 2025. They have been organising group swimming sessions in the Ouse next to Blue Bridge where the Foss meets the Ouse. But now they have organised a launch event to bring lots of individuals and groups together with a collective cause of ensuring safe water quality in the River Ouse. (Details below.)
Emilie Flower an “Ouse it or Lose it” spokesperson said:- ‘Ouse it or Lose’ -is working with a growing network of local partners and contributors, including academics from the University of York, campaigners such as Surfers Against Sewage, and other community river groups.”
For the “Ouse it or Lose it” group their immediate priority is to provide access to the river for safe group swimming. In doing this they also aim to highlight the often-scandalous state of water quality in our rivers in the UK with the aim to make the water quality in the river Ouse safer for nature, for swimming and for other people who enjoy the river.
Emilie added:-
“I have lived on a boat on the River Ouse for over 7 years and brought my 3 children up there, so I know the river well. Having access to and swimming in the river is a key thing for me. I’d like to be able to swim safely in the river and know that the water is not polluted. We want to enjoy the river and “Ouse it or Lose it” is our group way to bring the state of the Ouse to everyone’s attention. Monitor York’s rivers is so important to understand water quality in the Ouse and other waterways.”
Ouse it or Lose it launch event details
· Saturday 30th May 2026 with the Screening of the documentary Rave on for the Avon.
· The screening and QA session Event details:
Rave on for the Avon RAVE ON FOR THE AVON
Clements Hall, York Nunthorpe Road. York YO23 1BW.
Saturday 30 May 7-9pm (Doors open at 6.30)
· Tickets for the launch event are available via Eventbrite:
York’s Rivers: Place, space and people Tickets, Saturday 30 May • 19 - 21 | Eventbrite
· A community crowdfunder has also been launched to keep ticket costs affordable:
Help bring a brilliant film about rivers to York! - a Community crowdfunding project in York by Ouse it or Lose it
· The launch event will bring together film makers, scientists and local river advocates to answer questions and discuss the issues. There will be a screening of the acclaimed environmental documentary Rave on for the Avon, followed by a Q and A session and discussion. The group aims to connect residents, river users, scientists and campaigners, building a shared understanding of water quality issues while creating opportunities for positive local engagement and to raise the highly contentious issue of water quality in our City’s rivers through encouraging safe open water swimming in the Ouse :-
The Q and A panel to include :-
· Charlotte Sawyer- Filmmaker.
· Alistaire Boxall - Professor from York University who is involved in the AQuA project (Action for Quality Aquatic Environments) Part of Citizen Science Projects:- AQuA Citizen Science York and another link to Huge Citizen Science Project
· This Initiative aims to monitor the water quality in the River Foss and Ouse and the City’s other waterways using over 1700 members of the public being invited to take part.
Emilie Commented:
Emilie added:
National Campaigns:-
Nationally there are many groups around the country and Surfers Against Sewage who are one of the main groups who are certainly making their voice heard. There have been important dramas and documentary films being made to highlight the issues. The recent Channel 4 " Dirty Business " documentary in particular which received huge amount of coverage and horrified reaction to the film/ drama has helped further raise very genuine concern:- Dirty Business.
Other key groups:-
Recent and forthcoming events in York area:-
28th April – The Friends of Nun Ings held a sell-out event at St Chads Church with over 120 people attending to hear Amy-Jane Beer talk about her award winning “Wainwright Nature Book of the Year 2023” entitled “The Flow” about the importance of rivers for wildlife, for our health and wellbeing and their huge importance for nature and our shared environment. (Amy-Jane Beer is a scientist and nature columnist for the Guardian.)
6th May: Our Land preview screening and QA at City Screen details here.
10th May: Riverside prelaunch of A River Running Through You, alongside Lucy Lapwing talking about her brilliant new book Love Is a Toad and Sarah Banks talking wild swimming, at Howsham Mill details and booking here.
Sunday, May 10 • 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
16th May: York Paddle Out Protest, our chance to spotlight sewage pollution of the Ouse details here .Paddle-Out & Protest to end sewage pollution. On 16th May, people across the UK will take to the water, shorelines and riverbanks in bigger numbers than ever before. SAS’s biggest national day of action will see communities coming together, united with one demand: to end sewage pollution. Because up and down the UK sewage is STILL being dumped in our waterways, data is missing and we are paying the price.
Comment by a rower on the Ouse in York who is suppoting this Paddle – Out and Protest to end sewage pollution event:-
“ I’m Robin. I row on the River Ouse at least once a week in York.
I’m sickened by what the water companies, “regulator", successive governments and Dirty Business have done to their customers and our waterways over the past few decades.
On Saturday 16th May we have an opportunity to speak up for our rivers, our sports and the people of York. Will you join us?
I am working with Surfers Against Sewage, who want to #EndSewagePollution
SAS are even taking the government to court over proposed reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations.
Detail of the wider annual & national Paddle Out Protest activity is here ...
30th May – Ouse it or Lose it event.
These are all positive events to bring people and groups together and we need to watch this space to see how things develop.
