Thames21’s Post

We really enjoyed reading this excellent write-up by Time Out about our collaborative Action for Silk Stream project. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebDnW3EY

Great write up in the Evening Standard about our collaborative Action for Silk Stream project. Burnt Oak Brook and Edgware Brook in North London will be given a "new lease of life" thanks to this initiative. Like many of London’s rivers, the Burnt Oak Brook and Edgware Brook have been significantly modified over the last several centuries. They have been straightened, deepened and their banks have been reinforced, reducing their complexity, and their ability to support diverse communities of plants and animals. In addition, they receive inputs of pollution from several sources including sewage misconnections and road run-off. To tackle these challenges, a section of the Burnt Oak Brook in Watling Park will be taken out of its concrete channel and given a new sinuous flow path. In a nearby part of the park, an underground surface water drain will be brought to the surface and sent through a chain of wetlands to remove pollution and create vital habitats for freshwater plants and animals. The Edgware Brook, in Chandos Park, which is currently confined between a chain-link fence and a row of back gardens will become a more prominent feature of the park. The scheme will cut a new channel for the river, allowing it to flow through the park, blending with the landscape and providing a sanctuary for wildlife and a tranquil space for people to enjoy. We work in collaboration with Barnet Council and Harrow Council on the Action for Silk Stream project. They lead on the project. Read story in the Evening Standard here: https://lnkd.in/eXNQGpKA Read full press release here: https://lnkd.in/euFDT-d2

Our Communications Manager, Liz Gyekye, writes a blog about her recent trip to Portugal, spotting dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean and the importance of connecting communities to their local waterways.

We're delighted to announce our new partnership with Hilson Moran and we're very much looking forward to working together!

We were thrilled to host kayaker, adventurer and creative technologist Karina Townsend at Kingfisher Wharf for the premiere of her nighttime underwater soundscape, ‘ADrift’. She launched her kayak around midnight and drifted downstream in the Thames, using hydrophones to capture underwater sound. Grab some headphones and have a listen to experience the Thames and the balance between people and aquatic life in a completely new way: https://lnkd.in/dyfv2vsT #TeaONtheThames #ADrift Hilson Moran Belu Pacific Life Re Asahi UK Octopus Wipro RSA

It was brilliant to see so many of our partners, funders, friends and supporters for Tea on the Thames last week! Big thanks to Kingfisher Wharf for the use of their stunning room on the river. Kayaker, Adventurer and Creative Technologist Karina Townsend shared her nighttime underwater soundscape, helping us to hear and understand the balance between people and aquatic life in the Thames in a completely new way. Chief Executive Chris Coode talked about how we all achieve more for rivers and communities by working together. Louise Skinner from Octopus talked about what it’s like to partner with a ‘forward-looking and dynamic’ charity like Thames21, and volunteer Clare Murphy lit up the room with her knowledge and enthusiasm for the volunteering work she has been doing with us on the Award-winning river restoration on the River Rom. Thanks to everyone who joined us! #TeaONtheThames #partnerships #collaboration #innovation The Fishmongers' Company The Worshipful Company of Glovers of London Tideway London Octopus City of London Corporation Asahi UK Beazley Belu CBRE Investment Management Hilson Moran Investec Lloyds Banking Group Pacific Life Re Riverstone RSA Stantec Wipro 

Our #corporatepartner RSA recently went above and beyond in support of Thames21 and #LondonRiversWeek 2024. This year’s theme was ‘London is a river city’ and they really rose to the occasion! Monday began with a dedicated yoga session (yes that’s right – first thing on a Monday), then on Tuesday they held a rowing challenge where participants clocked up over 50,000 metres(!), and the celebrations were rounded off with a remarkable and frankly rather moving bake sale where their 'Baker of the Week' – Jordan G. – blew everyone away with his kayaker! Also kudos to Lucy Woods for a brilliant reflection on plastics pollution! From everyone here to everyone there, thank you RSA! 💙💚 Plus a very special thank you to Lauren Knight and Ruth Poulten for all your hard work behind, and in front of, the scenes! Laura Spiers Paul Bickley Ken Norgrove 

We went on a lovely walk around the River Ching in Chingford yesterday. Philippa Nicholls and Jack Beard, from Thames21’s evidence team, joined members of the Ching Action Group to identify potential monitoring sites for water quality. In the video, they explain the importance of citizen science to gather information and understand pollution issues affecting our rivers and how volunteers can get involved in these programs and apply for grants through EMPOWER Rivers. EMPOWER Rivers is a Thames21 project funded by the Lund Trust aiming to enable communities to take action for their local rivers through small grants and deliver large river restoration schemes in London over the next five years. River action groups and citizen scientists interested in participating in the first round can apply until the 30th of September (there will be more opportunities to take part later in the year). It’s a great opportunity to get tools such as Hanna Checkers, and even funding for riverfly monitoring training. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eJP9qpNM

London will need to urgently become a ‘sponge city’ – a city better designed to absorb and hold rainwater – in order to ward off the negative impacts of the climate emergency. Rain gardens and wetlands can capture and retain heavy rainfall brought on by the climate emergency. This means drains will take less of the onslaught and this also means that these green spaces will be able to slow the flow of water going to our rivers. Thames21’s Liz Gyekye recently went on London Live to discuss this issue. Thames21 has been working with partners and volunteers to make London a sponge city. It has created wetlands, planted trees and supported sustainable drainage systems across London to help improve biodiversity and capture rainwater to reduce flood risks. For instance, its ‘Rewilding the Rom’ project in Dagenham has seen the development of a wetland that connected the River Rom to its floodplain and turned this river into a healthy environment for wildlife. Read more about this project here: https://lnkd.in/eaB4HVMU

It’s safe to say that the 2024 edition of #LondonRiversWeek was the most amazing celebration of London’s rivers and communities to date! Around 60 celebratory, educational, and vibrant community events chimed perfectly with this year’s theme of ‘London is a river city’. Watch this space for the final impacts. However, in the meantime, we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the funders whose support helped this year’s #LondonRiversWeek to go above and beyond expectations: Thank you Bupa Foundation UK! Thank you Lund Trust! Thank you The Fishmongers' Company! Thank you Pacific Life Re 💚💙