Rivers and People

Go with the flow


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London Rivers Week – Saturday June 23 to Sunday July 1

Thames 21 writes….

London Rivers Week

Do you cherish rivers and enjoy exploring them? Do you love the wildlife that roams our countryside? Do you want to learn about what’s being done to protect London’s life-giving rivers and how you can help? 

Then join us for the third annual London Rivers Week, running from Saturday June 23 to Sunday July 1. This year’s theme is Valuing Water, and our partners are putting on a fascinating list of free activities, with something for all the family – from walks and talks and a kayak event to demonstrations and even a film premiere.

You won’t want to miss our launch event on Sunday 24th June, at Ladywell Fields from 12pm to 3pm.

You’ll be able to become a dragonfly detective, explore what’s in the water through river dipping and make discoveries through riverfly monitoring.

The event will be a showcase of citizen science programmes by a range of partners.

Find out, for example, how Thames21 volunteers collect data about the types of plastic found in the Thames, or how water quality is tested by robot boats. There are 600km of waterways in the capital. That’s the same as the distance between Brighton and Edinburgh.

And during the week, you’ll have the chance to learn about the issues that affect many of them.

Do you fancy getting to know your local stretch of river better by clearing litter? Or taking over the invasive species which also choke our rivers? We’ve also got events like that, which will help you make a difference to these lifebloods for wildlife.

Otters, trout, bats, kingfishers and eels all use London rivers – but increasingly they need the public’s help to survive and thrive, in the face of plastic pollution, sewage and the impacts of climate change.

London’s rivers are often peaceful, natural places, where we can escape city life. They are havens where we can relax by the water, watch swans nesting or if we’re lucky, spot a flash of blue as one of Britain’s most beautiful birds, a kingfisher, speeds across the water.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our fantastic range of activities and book your place at one today!

If you can’t wait, whet your appetite by reading case studies about 23 restoration projects which include Ladywell Fields, giving you a world of nature to explore at places that have been rewilded in recent years.

London Rivers Week is sponsored  by Thames Water. Read more about the groups behind the organisation of London Rivers Week.

 

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Lewisham Homes ‘Love Where you Live’ competition’

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Maybe one of Lewisham’s rivers is your favourite spot

Lewisham Homes writes…

We know that lots of our residents are artists, photographers and writers, so we want you to show off your skills by creating a tribute to your favourite green space in Lewisham.

Maybe you love Ladywell Fields or are mad about Mayow Park. Perhaps you prefer your own gorgeous garden.

Wherever your favourite green space is, share it with us by entering a tribute to it in our Love Where You Live art competition for your chance to win a family day out to London Zoo and see your art on display at our Garden Party at the Albany!

To enter:

Your entry can be a photo, a poem, a painting or a drawing.

You can enter by post or email. You must include your name, age, address and contact details, and tell us why it is your favourite green space.

Email Lewisham Homes with the subject title ‘Love where you live’.

Or send your entry by post to:

Communications team, FREEPOST
Lewisham Homes

(no stamp needed). Maximum size A3.

All submissions must be received by Sunday 15 July.

Throughout the competition we will be sharing your entries on social media with the hashtag #Lovewhereyoulive, so keep an eye out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Winners will be announced at the Garden Party on Saturday 21 July, and all entries will be on display in a pop-up exhibition at the event, at the Albany in Deptford.


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Leading a Waterway Cleanup with Thames21

Thames 21 Essential Training Course

© Thames21

Thame 21’s foundational course, called Leading a aterway Clean Up, is for people interested in learning more about waterways and why they are important.  The course contains everything you need to know to plan and run safe, effective and enjoyable waterway improvement events.

There is no obligation to actually run events once you have taken the course. Some take it simply for the learning experience.  But many do go on to assist our officers with Thames21-led events, and others lead events on their own with our support.  Their trainees have engaged in some exciting work over the years!

How is the training structured?

Leading a Waterway Cleanup is a 2-day

© Thames21

course open to all, including those who may not have any prior experience with environmental issues or with working around water.  Thames 21 combines classroom sessions with volunteering so that you get the best possible learning experience. They also ask you to complete a small amount of written work.  Our course is certified by ncfe*, the national accrediting organisation and you will receive your ncfe certificate upon completion.  Having ncfe accreditation assures us that the content of our training is of a high standard and thoroughly prepares trainees to support and lead events on their own with confidence.

When do sessions take place?

Thames 21 schedules sessions throughout the year in east, west and central London.  Typically sessions are on weekends but there are some weekday sessions as well. Trainees must take Day 1 before Day 2 but do not need to take them in the same series.  For example, you can take the Day 1 session offered in April and then, because of other commitments, not take Day 2 until July.  Or September.  Sessions are meant to be flexible.

New Sessions have been scheduled for 2018! (all sessions 10am – 3pm)

DAY 1 SESSIONS:

Sat 14th Apr 2018, Dorset Wharf Community Hall, Fulham W6 9HN

Sat 9th June 2018, The Ragged School Museum, Mile End E3 4RR

DAY 2 SESSIONS:

Tues 6th Mar 2018, Thames21 Offices at Walbrook Wharf, City of London EC4R 3TD

Sat 28th Apr, Dorset Wharf Community Hall, Fulham W6 9HN

Sat 16th June 2018, The Ragged School Museum, Mile End E3 4RR

See the bottom of this page for details on how to register for sessions.

They also deliver our Leading a Waterway Cleanup course to local groups who wish to be trained together.   To schedule something for your group, please arrange for bespoke sessions with the Training Officer by emailing Thames 21. 

How can I use the benefits of the course?

Become an event support team member:

© Thames21

The event support team is a team of volunteers who assist our project officers to run safe, effective, and fun events.

Become a badged group leader: With a Thames21 badge, Thames21 will support you running your own events.

How much does it cost?

The training is currently free for volunteers, with a Pricing Structure in place for volunteer managers and corporate groups. Please contact the Training Officer for more information

To Register:

You must complete an online Registration Form before you can take any trainings with Thames21.

1)  Click here to complete the Registration Form, selecting your preferred sessions and dates at the bottom of the form.

2)  If you have already registered with us and are interested in signing up for another session, please fill out a Bookings Form by clicking here. 

3)  Await confirmation from Training Officer.


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Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean 2018 – training for Rivers Trusts

A little bit out of the Borough, but some of you might find this training interesting! (Thanks to the Rivers Trust for the information)

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

The Rivers Trust is joining Keep Britain Tidy in assembling an army of #litterheroes for a UK wide mass clean-up as 80% of plastic in the oceans comes from land, and rivers are a significant pathway for it to get there.

To do this, they are calling on as many Rivers Trusts as possible to get behind Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean 2018 and hold a river cleanup volunteer event, to help highlight the importance of keeping our rivers clean.

To help Rivers Trusts hold a river clean up, we’re offering Rivers Trust members FREE accredited training for up to 12 Rivers Trusts who wish to hold a cleanup event over the weekend of the 2nd – 4th March.

This 2-day NCFE accredited course, called ‘Leading a Waterway Cleanup,’ is run by Thames21.  The course will help you confidently plan and run a safe, effective and enjoyable waterway improvement event with volunteers.

They are proposing to hold the 2-day training event in Manchester (venue tbc) on Thursday 15th Feb – 16th Feb @10.30am – 3.30pm each day.

Day 1 will help you plan a waterway clean up event, covering urban waterway issues, processes and considerations involved in planning, identification of locations and recognising potential risks.

Day 2 will help you lead a successful cleanup event and will take you through the methodology for planning and running practical volunteer events, health and safety, and positive leadership behaviours and techniques.

In order to become certified, trainees must attend the 2 days and complete two assignments.

Register for training now.