Wildlife artist Ernie Leahy caught the imagination of children who coloured in some of his outline drawings at a celebration of the River Ver late last month

World Rivers Day was an initiative from the United Nations for everyone worldwide to celebrate their local river and the Ver Valley Society got involved by putting on various activities.

And with Verulamium Park looking particularly autumnal that day, they succeeded in stimulating plenty of public interest.

As well as displays explaining the unique features of the Ver as a chalk stream and the efforts being made to conserve and enhance it, there were river-fly monitoring demonstrations in Bell Meadow.

The resulting collections of invertebrates and fish beside the main display caught the attention of children who also enjoyed colouring in some of Ernie’s drawings.

A keen member of the Ver Valley Society, Ernie from Redbourn was commissioned by the district council to illustrate the new display boards at Verulamium.

In addition Andy Webb, an expert in the local history of the river and St Albans, conducted a guided walk in the afternoon and the Ver Valley Action Group led two sessions devoted to clearing up the Frogmore Pits area.