Ilkley Clean River Press Release, 23rd June 2025
Ilkley Clean River Group proudly announces that their chair, Professor Becky Malby, has been honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to national river cleanliness and the community of Ilkley.
In Ilkley, Becky was instrumental in acquiring the first bathing water status for a river in the UK which has led to major investment by Yorkshire Water to improve the water quality here. She then went on to co-ordinate training of other groups across the country and successfully established the Sewage Campaign Network with grassroots campaigners working in their local communities who don’t take any money from government or water companies, and which represents public outrage at the dire state of our rivers, lakes and seas.
Becky has played a pivotal role in the People’s Commission on the Water Sector, which seeks to address the pressing issues that matter to the public, which are outside of the scope of the government’s own Commission. These include concerns about pollution, profiteering, and the lack of resilience for current challenges and the future within the water sector. The People’s Commission has facilitated four public discussions focusing on: International best practices for water systems, Strategies to foster resilience in water infrastructure, Alternative models for ownership and regulation to enhance accountability, and Improved financial management practices aimed at delivering greater public value in the water industry.
Her tireless advocacy has not only drawn attention to these critical issues but has also fostered collaborative efforts between local communities, environmental experts, and policymakers. By championing innovative and inclusive approaches, Becky has helped to lay the groundwork for meaningful reforms in the water sector, ensuring that both ecological and societal needs are prioritised.
“Six years ago, when we set up the campaign in Ilkley we thought no one could possibly know about the extent of the sewage pollution or they would have stopped it. It turns out everyone knows, but no one is prepared to step up to protect our rivers, lakes and seas except local people. At every step we face a lack of ambition and appetite for solutions that will ensure we have clean waterways and that ensures water resilience for the future. We made some progress here in Ilkley, which can provide a template for how to clean up our rivers, but it has taken far too long, and required a massive effort from local people. This award shows how much this matters to the public. Thank you so much to friends and campaign co-volunteers for this fabulous award from the community.” Becky Malby.
