The River Dee Trust is holding a Sunday Lunch on November 29th 2009 at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa at Pitfodels in Aberdeen. Along with the lunch there will be an exhibition of the work of leading river artists and a small auction. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of the work carried out on the Dee and to raise funds to allow for the continuing improvement of the river. We raise funds for practical river improvement and to clear obstructions, allowing fish to complete their epic migrations and lifecycle. We also promote and support an educational programme for school children explaining the importance of the river to the region's wildlife and local economy.

There will be a raffle and an auction with quite an array of interesting and desirable auction lots. There shall be a page set up on http://www.fishdee.co.uk listing the auction lots which will allow the bids to be shown on-line to generate interest from all interested participants, bidders and website followers. Tickets for the lunch are £45, in tables of ten, and will include a sumptuous lunch and the well renowned hospitality of the Marcliffe Hotel. If you are unable to attend we would welcome all contributions or lots for the auction (big or small!).

This is of course a very important event as the funds raised annually are all channelled into the work programmes of our two biologists Dr Lorraine Hawkins and Mr Adrian Hudson. Our biologists have had an extremely busy year this year with a great amount of research work and reports submitted. These assist the river management team to achieve all the aims and objectives that are required to deliver the Fisheries Development Plan. http://www.riverdee.org.uk/FileLibrary/Content/Publications/Aberdeenshire Dee FMP March 2009.pdf.

We have for example recently revamped our schools programme and launched our IntroDee programme via the schools and local fresh water fishery at Raemoir in Banchory, with proprietors' participation, generous access and support. We now also have a liaison officer appointed to us from the Aberdeenshire education authority. The IntroDee programme will enable many children to visit and learn about the natural environment of the river Dee and local freshwater lochs and fisheries. The school children and teachers find out about the life cycle of inhabitants of the river and lochs in Deeside, the food chain that supports them, and the conservation measures to protect the iconic Salmon,Otters and Pearl Mussels inhabiting the River Dee valley, which is an EU designated special area of conservation. Finally, would anyone interested in booking a table for this excellent event in November, or wishing to contribute to the River Dee Trust with a donation of support or perhaps an auction lot, please write in the first instance to: The River Dee Trust, 4 Mill of Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, AB34 5LA or call 013398 80411. Many thanks for your support and assistance.