Thetford River Group founder Sean Ready to be honoured by town council a year after his death

Thetford Town Council is set to honour an environmental champion’s work in the area exactly a year to the day that he died.

Sean Ready, 51, who was the founder of the Thetford River Group, died on November 11, 2022, from a heart attack at his Dane Close home.

Now the council has decided to honour him by dedicating a newly created fish pass, near Nun’s Bridges behind Ford Meadow in the town, in Sean’s memory.

Councillor Terry Jermy, chairman of the council’s amenities committee, said: “Sean was a regular attendee at our committee meetings, lobbying us to do whatever we could to help and improve Thetford’s river network.

“Sean became synonymous with the river and a real advocate for it. In what was to be the last year of his life, he became particularly passionate about the need for a fish pass to be constructed on the River Thet where a breach had occurred.

“That structure is now complete, and I am delighted the council has agreed with my suggestion to dedicate it to Sean’s memory, an entirely fitting tribute to someone who did so much for Thetford and its environment.”

Sean’s river group started to patrol the town’s rivers, the Thet and Little Ouse, in 2017 – collecting litter as well as monitoring and testing projects with Imperial College London and others, on the health of invertebrates, fish and wildlife.

When Sean was unable to get onto the river, due to either low or high water levels, he could be found supporting community litter picks on land.

Councillor Stuart Wright, Mayor of Thetford Town, will be unveiling a memorial plaque at the pass at 1pm on Saturday – all are invited to attend.