Name Form Candidate Number

1. NameFormCandidate Number

2. Hypothesis • Blackwood has a higher Sphere of influence than Cefn Fforest.

3. Introduction • A brief overview about what you intend to do and where you intend to do it.

4. Aim • I am going to investigate how a river changes shape as it moves downstream. The river I have chosen is the Rhymney river which flows from the upper Rhymney Valley, through my hometown Blackwood and down the Rhymney valley to Newport. [See map on page….. which shows this.]

5. Prediction • What do you expect to find out? I expect to ……….

6. How will I record my results? • Questionnaire (see page) • Plot my findings in a graph (Pie) • TRAFFIC SURVEY: Tally chart number of vehicles at both towns • Draw tables of results and then plot bar graph

7. What data will I need to collect? • TRAFFIC SURVEY: count the number of vehicle passing through both towns • PEDESTRIAN COUNT: count the number of people passing through the high street in both towns • SPERE OF INFLUENCE – ask shoppers a few questions about where they have travelled from and why

8. Background info • Map of Wales showing the two locations (Blackwood and Cefn) • Map of Blackwood High St • Map of Cefn Fforest • Writing on the features and type of shops found in both towns • Photographs of both towns • History of both towns (Council/internet) • Communtities

9. Background Info Using Rivers as an example

10. The River Sirhowy And the Sirhowy Valley

11. Some Images

12. The Drainage Basin The River Sirhowy (Welsh language : Afon Sirhywi) is a river in south Wales and a tributary of the River Ebbw The Sirhowy The South Wales Valleys

13. Its Course • The River Sirhowy has its source on the slopes of Cefn Pyllau-duon above Tredegar. After flowing through Siôn-Sieffre's Reservoir it turns south through Tredegar and then Blackwood and Pontllanfraith. It turns eastwards near Cwmfelinfach and joins the River Ebbw near Crosskeys

14. About the Sirhowy Valley • The Valleys of South Wales have a culture all of their own. They were transformed by the Industrial Revolution, with pits, iron and steelworks appearing across the landscape. And it is this heritage that is now forming part of their future. You can discover the legacy of the mines here in a variety of working museums and displays. It is also possible to explore the Valleys’ more distant history at places such as the 13th century Caerphilly Castle. Away from the history, the valleys are a fantastic area for the outdoors enthusiast. They’re a popular destination for walkers and cyclists and their steep sides are a powerful draw for mountain bikers.

15. The links with Coal

16. Pollution kills hundreds of fish A member of the public reported seeing a white substanceHundreds of fish have died after a river was polluted with a mystery thick white substance. The Environment Agency Wales received reports that the River Sirhowy in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent was polluted. It is estimated hundreds of brown trout, minnows, bullheads and stone loach are among those killed in the Georgetown area of the town. A clean-up operation is underway and tests have been carried out to identify the source of the pollution. Near Tredegar River Pollution

17. The Role of the Environment Agency

18. River Care Groups • Brithdir Rivercare GroupBrithdir Rivercare Group was born out of Aberbargoed Angling Club. The group has adopted 2km of the River Rhymney between Brithdir Bridge and the Viaduct at Bargoed. The main aim of the group is to improve the cleanliness, habitat and access of their adopted stretch. Caerphilly and District Angling AssociationThe Caerphilly and District Angling Association was established in 1949 and currently has 300 members. The anglers formed a rivercare group in 1998 by adopting the River Rhymney (Caerphilly & Draethen). Their main aim as a rivercare group is to keep the club’s waters to the highest standard for fishing.Draethen & Lower Machen Rivercare GroupThis group, founded by neighbours in Lower Machen, has so far attracted up to 24 local volunteers. Their concern is the rubbish and waste that accumulates along the banks about a mile either side of Draethen Bridge. In addition to managing the rubbish, the group has plans that include encouraging wildlife through habitat creation and bank erosion work. • Rhiw (2) Mill RivercareRhiw (2) Mill Rivercare were formed in August 1997. The main purpose of the group is to improve the amenity value of the River Sirhowy from Blackwood to Pontllanfraith. The group began with smaller ‘achievable’ projects such as litter-picks and bulb planting. The group's long term aim is to see the Mill Race re-opened, restoring the Mill to full working order.

19. The Route • From Source nr Trefil Village • Through Tredegar, Markam, Blackwood, Pontlanfraith and Cwmfelinfach • To where it joins the River Ebbw at Croskeys

20. SITE 1 GR 11 08 11 09 420m asl A465 Heads of the Valleys road. Site 2 13 03 10 08 340m asl The Source of the Sirhowy River 450m asl GR 11 01 1109

21. U Shaped Valley Ice retreated at the end of the last ice age – approx 10,000BC. Steep valley sides. Characteristic of U shaped valley – caused by abrasion Lay-By Terminal Morraine Depostis left as glacier retreats – energy less Site 3 GR 330m asl

22. Gentle sloping hills with lush green woodland area on valley side Site 4 GR 17 09 220m asl Large Settlment Population 185,000 Our school site – approx 1km from river. Site 5 GR 18 00 2000m asl Large residential areas – built on Greenfeild sites between 1960 and 2000

23. Steep valley sides Main river River Ebbw Managed woodland areas and tourist attractions. Site 6 GR 20 02 90 09 190m asl Duel-carriageway A467 Linear Settlment along Ebbw Valey JUNCTION: where the Sirhowy meets the Ebbw