Project Update: June 2025

We’re working hard behind the scenes to help communities across West and North Northamptonshire become more flood resilient – in so many different ways.

Here’s a brief snapshot of just some of the projects we’ve been working on across Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook over recent months:

🌳 Tree Planting Projects:

Our tree-planting drives have seen over 2,000 trees and hedgerow whips planted across the RAIN catchments! These trees play a key role in managing flood risk and boosting biodiversity – and it’s been fantastic seeing people from across the area enjoying the new trees in their open green spaces.

🏡 Rain Gardens in Bloom!

Our #JustASmallPlot RAIN Garden campaign has been well received. Residents have been creating their own RAIN gardens to reduce surface water runoff in wet weather and the pressure on our local drainage systems. Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far – another campaign will launch in the Autumn 🌼

📚 RAIN in Schools:

From tractors in playgrounds as part of Farmer Appreciation Week to our sand table workshops teaching local students about floods, farming, and future resilience – we’ve been enjoying involving children from across the catchments in our work. PLUS, we have an exciting project about to launch in seven schools – the details of which will be announced later this month! Education + action = long-term change!

🏘️ PFR Installations Moving Forward

Having appointed contractors, Watertight International, they are progressing the next stage of the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) programme. They are contacting all participating homeowners to arrange diary dates for their first visit, which will enable them to capture the specific measurements for everyone’s required PFR measures, with installations following. In addition, Watertight are currently installing PFR measures at the Harpers Court housing scheme in Brigstock, with work underway as we speak. Updates to follow.

🤝 Northants’ Nature Resilience Fund

We’re currently developing a new scheme that invites local businesses to match-fund natural flood management and resilience projects in their communities. The scheme offers a meaningful way to give back locally, while also providing benefits for staff, for example including volunteering opportunities on live nature-based resilience projects or the chance for staff to take part in wellbeing activities – such as ‘forest bathing’ sessions in local woodlands. Full details will be announced soon, with outreach to local businesses planned over the coming months.

🌳 New NFM Sites Coming Soon

This summer, we’re working on multiple Natural Flood Management projects across our catchments, including reinstating a wetland, re-wiggling a river to help slow the flow, tree planting, and the creation of bunds to better hold and slow down water during storms. We also have a fantastic multi-agency project taking place in forestry and woodlands across Northants, which uses methods like ‘tree hinging’ and ‘gully stuffing’ to slow water flow (also known as ‘beaver mimicking!’) – watch this space for individual project updates!

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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What Plants Will Be In Our RAIN Gardens?

What type of plants feature in our RAIN Garden packs?

Firstly, for the wet base, we have chosen moisture-loving herbaceous perennials, such as Yellow Flag Iris, Soft Rush, Pendulous Sedge, Cardinal Flower, and Calla Lily.

Around the wet base we have then selected shrubs that tolerate wet as well as dry soils, such as Elderberry, Midwinter Fire, Smooth Hydrangea and Rugosa Rose. Mix in some perennials as well, such as Bugleweed, Clustered Bellflower, Lucifer Montbretia, and Geranium Rozanne.

Finally, around the edge of the RAIN Garden, we have selected drought-tolerant grasses such as Korean Feather Reed Grass, Tufted Hairgrass, and Chinese Silver Grass.

In exchange for the plants, compost and downpipes, we will also give each RAIN Garden participant a fabulous numbered plaque to display, to recognise the garden’s contribution to community-led flood resilience. All we ask is that you send us a photo of your garden once you’ve planted it, so we can share everyone’s amazing work.

At the end of our project, we will then calculate the collective area of RAIN Gardens and the water retention benefits achieved through the scheme.

If you live in Wootton Brook or Harpers Brook, you can register for a free RAIN Garden pack: https://rainnorthants.co.uk/rain-gardens/

We have approx 100 packs available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please be quick!

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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How To Plant a RAIN Garden

RAIN Gardens scheme provides free plants and compost packs to help reduce surface water run-off and improve flood resilience for residents living in Wootton Brook & Harpers Brook catchments.

Firstly, what is a RAIN garden?

A RAIN garden is a small recessed garden area, planted full of plants that enjoy more boggy conditions. You will be directing the water coming from a downspout on the side of your property into the RAIN garden, and then out the other side of the garden to a drainage area. This can be achieved by connecting more downspout (provided) or digging a small trench and lining it with pebbles (to prevent erosion).

RAIN gardens help hold back the water, and filter it, before it enters the storm-water system. It also adds a great bio diversity habitat!

By taking part, you can play a direct role in managing water flow within your community and mitigate local flood risks.

How do you plant a RAIN Garden?

We have created a helpful ‘how to’ video, which you can access here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA0v3UerGtk

What to Consider:
1.Location
2.Drainage
3.Size
4.Shape
5.Connecting your garden to the downspout

1.Location: Your RAIN gardens needs to be more than 3m away from any property foundations, but not so far from your downspout that you can’t connect the garden to the downspout. The outlet point of the RAIN garden needs to be facing an area that is safe to direct excess water away from your house, and not into the neighbours either. If you are planting on a sloped area, ensure the ground is not sloping towards your house. Be aware of services that may run underground (check at lsbud.co.uk)

2.Drainage: In an ideal world, your soil will drain at about 1 inch per hour. Once you’ve decided where you want your garden to go, dig a slim hole (approx 10cm in diameter, and 15cms deep), fill it with water, and come back in an hour to see how much has soaked away. If your soil is draining really slowly, you can either change location or just dig your rain garden a little deeper.

3.Size: The size of your rain garden should be about 10% the area of the roof that will be sending water to your chosen downspout. This will not necessarily be your whole house’s roof. You should aim to have a depth of roughly 1ft in the centre of the garden, gently sloping upwards.

4.Shape: Your RAIN garden can be any shape that suits your aesthetic! Create a bund with the soil you dig up around the lower-lying edges of the garden, to make sure the ‘walls’ are level, and will contain the water.

5.Connecting your garden to the downspout: This can be done in one of two ways.

Option 1: Attaching another piece of downpipe onto the end of your downspout, and positioning it to allow water to flow directly to the inlet point of your RAIN garden.

Option 2: Digging a shallow trench from your downspout to the inlet point of your RAIN garden, and filling it with pebbles (to prevent erosion). Once you’ve planted your RAIN garden, or marked out where you want it to go, let us knowhow many metres away from your downspout it is, and we will provide the piping.

All this information and more is captured in our YouTube tutorial! If you have any questions, please email us atrain@westnorthants.gov.uk

Register to take part!

We have around 100 packs to give away (first come, first served basis). If you’d like to take part, please check that your property is within our catchment – maps can be seen here:

Harpers Brook Map: https://nfm.hrwallingford.com/main/rain-harpers
Wootton Brook Map: https://nfm.hrwallingford.com/main/rain-wootton

To apply, register your details via this link: https://rainnorthants.co.uk/rain-gardens/ or email rain@westnorthants.gov.uk.

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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Launching ‘RAIN Gardens’ for Wootton Brook & Harpers Brook residents

New scheme provides free plants and compost packs to help reduce surface water run-off and improve flood resilience

We are today delighted to launch an exciting new initiative to help residents in the Wootton Brook and Harpers Brook catchments create their very own RAIN garden at home.

Residents can apply for a free pack of RAIN Garden plants and compost to create a small but powerful area that will soak up rainwater, reducing the risk of surface water flooding and making outdoor spaces greener and more resilient.

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is a simple yet effective way to capture rainfall that would normally run off rooftops and into drains. Instead, it diverts water into planted areas, helping to nourish plants while reducing strain on the drainage system during heavy rainfall. By creating rain gardens, residents can play a direct role in managing water flow within their community and mitigating local flood risks.

Sarah Parr, Project Manager for the RAIN Project, said: “The RAIN Project is all about helping communities adopt practical, sustainable solutions to manage flood risk and build climate resilience. With RAIN Gardens, we’re giving residents the tools to manage rainwater naturally at their own homes, creating greener, more resilient households. We’re excited to see the gardens take shape and look forward to measuring the collective impact of everyone involved.”

The initiative is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with at least 100 free RAIN Garden packs ready to be given away to Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook’s residents. Participants will receive a pack containing a selection of marginal plants to capture and retain rainwater, along with compost provided by Kettering’s Bosworth’s Garden Centre.

Each participating garden will also receive a numbered plaque to display, recognising its contribution to this community-led flood resilience effort. The plaques feature the campaign’s motto: “Just a small plot, but it’s doing a lot” – a reminder that even small green spaces can make a meaningful difference. In return, participants are encouraged to share a photo of their completed RAIN Garden with the RAIN project team.

The team will then calculate the total area of all RAIN Gardens planted to estimate the volume of rainwater diverted from drainage systems, showcasing the collective impact of the initiative.

Rickileigh Edwards, Project Support Officer of RAIN added: “This is a wonderful initiative, giving people in the community the chance to actively participate in slowing the flow of water, with a whole host of additional benefits such as adding a little bit of bio-diversity, reducing pollution, while adding a little bit of beauty to our gardens. The more people who create rain gardens, the more their impact will be felt.”

If you’d like to take part, check your property is within our catchment – maps can be seen here:

Harpers Brook Map: https://nfm.hrwallingford.com/main/rain-harpers
Wootton Brook Map: https://nfm.hrwallingford.com/main/rain-wootton

To apply, register your details via this link: https://rainnorthants.co.uk/rain-gardens/ or email rain@westnorthants.gov.uk.

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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Community Invited to Join Hedgerow Planting in Wootton and Sudborough

Local residents, schools, and community groups are invited to take part in a series of tree and hedgerow planting events this week as part of ongoing efforts to boost biodiversity and improve natural flood management in two Northamptonshire catchments.

The RAIN Project, in partnership with Woodland Dwelling, is hosting three planting sessions and welcomes volunteers of all ages to come along and get involved:

Wooldale Road Open Space, Wootton
When: Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th March
Time: 9am – 1pm
Where: https://what3words.com/nowadays.slicer.plotter

Brookfield Bungalow, Sudborough
When: Friday 7th March
Time: From 10am
Where: https://what3words.com/blunders.hamper.doubt

Why plant hedgerows? 
Hedgerows and trees play a vital role in flood resilience by slowing down surface water runoff, preventing soil erosion, and improving water absorption.

They also provide essential habitats for birds, insects, and small mammals while enhancing green spaces for the whole community.

Sarah Parr, project manager of RAIN said: “Whether you’re part of a gardening club, eco group, local school, or just keen to spend time outdoors, your help would be greatly appreciated. Simply turn up on the day – no experience needed, just bring your wellies and enthusiasm!”

Semi-mature Elms are being planted, which have been chosen to help with surface water drainage in the local area, in addition to various smaller hedgerows including Hazel and Beech.

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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East Hunsbury Planting Fest!

Residents of East Hunsbury and beyond are invited to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into a fantastic two-day planting event this half term on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February.

The East Hunsbury Planting Festival is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to come together and enhance green spaces while learning about flood resilience, biodiversity, and the benefits of tree planting. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just keen to get involved, everyone is welcome to volunteer their time.

The free festival will take place at Penvale Park and Blacky More Park, with volunteers helping to plant trees, bulbs, and seeds while supporting the creation of flood-resilient landscapes. The event is organised by The RAIN Project, Woodland Dwelling, and East Hunsbury Parish Council, who will provide guidance, tools, and plenty of enthusiasm! Attendees are encouraged to bring gardening gloves and wellington boots, or similar.

Caroline Holgate, Clerk to East Hunsbury Parish Council said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the East Hunsbury Planting Festival and inviting the community to take part. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents of all ages to get involved, learn about biodiversity, and make a real impact on our local green spaces. We hope to see as many people as possible join us for two days of planting, fun, and community spirit!”

What’s Happening and When?

• Thursday 20th February – Penvale Park, Grangewood Park & Hunsbury Library

10:00 – Penvale Park – Butterfly bund seeding

11:00 – Penvale Park – Naturalised bulb planting

12:00 – Grangewood Park – Community orchard maintenance

13:00 – Library – Create a RAIN garden at the Library

• Friday 21st February – Blacky More Park Only

10:00 – Cherry tree planting

10:00 – Daffodil planting

12:00 – FREE pizza for all helpers!

Sarah Parr, Project Manager of the RAIN Project said: “This event is about more than just planting; it’s about building a community connection with nature, learning about flood resilience, and creating a greener future for East Hunsbury. So, whether you’re looking for a fun activity for the family, want to give back to your community, or just love being outdoors, this is the perfect opportunity to come and get involved.”

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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Harpers Brook – Wetland Update

Following a recent meeting with North Northants Council’s EAP Planning Communities team, we’re delighted to confirm that they have given us the green light to proceed with the creation of a two-hectare Natural Flood Management wetland, north-west of Brigstock, in partnership with a local landowner.

We are now currently liaising with the Environment Agency to obtain the appropriate licenses, as well as working with our project partners to design and finalise the wetland.

This project aims to:

✅ Boost flood resilience for communities along the Harpers Brook, including Brigstock, Sudborough, and Lowick, by reducing the peak and slowing water flow during severe weather.

✅ Create shallow ponds, marshy areas, raised embankments, and wildflower meadows to retain water naturally.

✅ Enhance local biodiversity, creating a thriving habitat for wildlife. We’ll share more details on the next steps, plans, timings, and our key partners during the spring – however we couldn’t wait to share this update with you, in the meantime.

The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

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Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Some Drive Tractors!

This week, 27^th – 31^st January 2025, we are hosting our very own Farmer Appreciation Week!

Farmer Appreciation Week is an opportunity to celebrate and thank farmers in the Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook catchments for their incredible contributions to Northamptonshire’s local communities.

Sarah Parr, Project Manager for the RAIN Project comments: “’Not all heroes wear capes; some drive tractors’ is our motto for Farmer Appreciation Week! We believe that our farmers are unsung heroes, quietly working behind the scenes delivering such valuable work, as well as supporting our communities when flooding occurs.  Farmer Appreciation Week is our chance to shine a spotlight on their incredible contributions and to say thank you.”

The RAIN Project is collaborating with a number of farmers and landowners on Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes across the two Northants catchments, contributing to long-term flood resilience through tree planting, wetland creation, and innovative water management practices.

How We Are Celebrating

Throughout Farmer Appreciation Week, the RAIN Project team will be visiting schools across the Harpers Brook and Wootton Brook catchments to share inspiring stories about the role farmers play in the local community, and beyond.  Visits to Wootton Primary School and Oakley Vale Primary School have been confirmed, and we really look forward to talking to the children about the role farmers play in our communities.

We are also inviting the public to share good news stories, posters, drawing, photos or messages of thanks for local farmers on social media platforms, as well as to nominate a farmer who has gone above and beyond for their community.

Tristan Baxter-Smith, Land Advisor for Nene Rivers Trust and RAIN’s Natural Flood Management lead, added: “As a farmer myself, it is wonderful for RAIN to recognise the vital work farmers contribute to our local economy, not only with food supply but with supporting communities at times of flooding. During flood events, farmers often step up with hands-on assistance, digging trenches to redirect floodwater, helping stranded neighbours, and even using machinery to clear blocked roads or move vehicles to safety. The Appreciation Week is a fantastic opportunity to really shine a light on the varied role that farmers truly play in our towns and villages.”

One aspect of our scope of work is to partner with local farmers and landowners to identify potential locations for Natural Flood Management (NFM) schemes – from creating wetlands to tree planting and more – to help reduce flood risk, slow down the flow of water during heavy rainfall, and improve water retention in the landscape.

Completed NFM projects by RAIN include the Tiny Forest at Oakley Vale, which involved the planting of over 700 trees with help from the community, in addition to the creation of leaky dams and wetland scrapes at Chase Park Farm in Horton.  Additional details on the project’s aims have featured in a special CIWEM ‘Ripple Effect’ video series here: https://contentwithpurpose.co.uk/ciwem/the-ripple-effect/series_partners/rain/

Get Involved

If you know a farmer who deserves recognition, now is the time to share their story! Visit our social media pages to leave your message of thanks or nominate a farmer who’s made a difference in your community.

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/RAINnorthants

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/rain.northants/

LinkedIn:              https://www.linkedin.com/company/rain-northants/

X / Twitter:         https://x.com/RAIN_Northants

Alternatively, you can email our project team via: RAIN@westnorthants.gov.uk

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The RAIN Project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.   

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