Come on an Outfall Safari and help us raise awareness about river pollution!
It is five years since we ran our first Outfall Safari along the Ravensbourne river catchment and it’s time to run another health check on our rivers. This is an opportunity for volunteers from Keston to Deptford, from Eltham to Sydenham, to join us and help identify pollution hotspots and raise public awareness around drainage misconnections that can harm our rivers.
The waterways of the Ravensbourne, Quaggy and Pool join the Thames at Deptford and, like all London’s rivers, they can be polluted by chemicals found in detergents, building material, paint etc and by sewage due to misconnected plumbing. Pipes that lead into surface water drains, rather than into sewers, bring these pollutants into our rivers and impact the species that live in them.
While Thames Water and the Environment Agency monitor the river catchment and respond to pollution incidents, it is very hard to create a detailed map of all the troublesome outfalls that have, so far, remained under the radar. An Outfall Safari is the answer.
Designed to be undertaken by local volunteers, an Outfall Safari requires no expertise beyond simple data collection, which is covered by our bespoke training in March, and keenness to take walks alongside our rivers.
This is a short-term commitment: it will be run over a period of around one month (April 2022) and relies on lots of small teams of volunteers each doing as much or as little as they want. One team member will record the observations of the group using a simple mobile App, and the uploaded data collected by all the teams will create a detailed picture of the current state of the catchment.
Outfall Safari training will be on Wednesday, March 30th from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Althletics Hub meeting room in Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre, London SE7 5LW. Our trainer is Phoebe Shaw Stewart of the Zoological Society of London. Poster attached – training is of course free.
An Outfall Safari gathers valuable information. Data from the App is mapped and passed on the Environment Agency and Thames Water. And any severe pollution revealed can be investigated immediately by these agencies. It is a proven method of checking on London’s rivers, already tested on the rivers Crane, Wandle, Hogsmill, Dollis Brook and many more. It relies fully on Citizen Scientists! Which could be you. Please contact us you’d like to take part.
London Rivers Week: Photo Competition #PictureBlueLondon
Thames 21 write...
The CPRE London photo competition returns for 2021, with cash prizes and tickets to top London attractions on offer to the photographer who best captures this year’s theme of ‘Picture Blue London’.
We are launching our annual photography competition in celebration of London Rivers Week which ran from 23-31 October 2021. CPRE London is delighted to be working with Thames21, the Environment Agency, ZSL London Zoo, the London Aquarium and others to celebrate London’s rivers and waterways.
Capture London’s waterscapes
Judges will be looking for uplifting images that capture the beauty and variety of the London’s waterscapes – whether that be landscape, wildlife, rivers, canals, a piece of history, places that heal or replenish or people enjoying London’s wet outdoor spaces. We challenge you to grab your camera or phone, explore the watery side of the capital and capture London’s countryside at its very best. We want to see it all!
This year we welcome your interpretation of three categories that represent the city’s key environmental challenges and opportunities: climate change, access to nature, and health and wellbeing. All entries should fall within one category and a winner will be chosen from each.
The photographs will be judged by an impressive line-up of key figures in London’s photography and environmental community including Shirley Rodrigues (Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Greater London Authority), Dave Webb (Environment Agency) and Peter Coles (professional photographer and urban ecologist).
All our winners and finalists will be showcased on our website, featured in the next edition of our Green London newsletter and on our social media channels.
Enter the competition
Competition entry is free, and entrants can enter up to three photographs, one in each category – climate change, access to nature, and health and wellbeing.
The winning entries will receive a cash prize of £100, free membership to CPRE London for a year and tickets to the London Aquarium, plus a cuddly toy! One overall winner will also receive a free family ticket to ZSL London Zoo.
Entries close on 26 November 2021. To enter please read the webpage and terms and conditions (PDF 138 KB).
London Rivers Week is a partnership campaign run through London Rivers Restoration Group, a sub-group of the Catchment Partnerships in London. It is sponsored by Thames Water.
London Rivers Week – Saturday 23 October – Sunday 31 October 2021
(with thanks to Thames 21 for the information)
London Rivers Week is a week-long annual campaign inspiring the public to celebrate London’s rivers and the projects taking place to rewild and renaturalise them and connecting them with their local communities.
The campaign was launched by the London Rivers Restoration Group in 2016 on behalf of the Catchment Partnerships in London (CPiL) to highlight river restorations. Between 2008 and 2017 a total of 23.5km (14.6 miles) of rivers have been restored.
About the London Rivers Restoration Group
The purpose of the London Rivers Restoration Group, a sub-group of CPiL, is to promote and report on the delivery of river restoration and enhancement projects in support of the Catchment-based Approach to delivering Water Framework Directive objectives across London.
Its specific objective is to achieve the following aspirations set out in the London Rivers Action Plan (LRAP):
- Improve flood management using more natural processes
- Reduce the likely negative impacts of climate change
- Reconnect people to the natural environment through urban regeneration
- Gain better access for recreation and improved well-being
- Enhance habitats for wildlife
The London Rivers Restoration Group includes the Environment Agency, Thames21, the Greater London Authority, the South East Rivers Trust, London Wildlife Trust, ZSL, the Thames Estuary Partnership, CPRE London and Thames Water.
About the Catchment Partnerships in London (CPiL) Group
The purpose of CPiL is to support 12 different Catchment Partnerships within Greater London to share lessons, experiences, best practice and to help achieve a coordinated approach to delivering the objectives of the Water Framework Directive.
CPiL is not a Steering Group for the Catchment Partnerships; instead it supports and facilitates shared action, decision making and communication for the Catchment-based Approach in London.
Catchment Partnerships are groups of organisations working in different geographical locations to improve water quality.
London Rivers Week 2021
Thames 21 London Rivers Week events
The Tweed Invasives Project
For those of you who have spent time with me and other volunteer groups in activities such as The 3 Rivers Clean Up clearing himalayan balsam know what great fun it is. You may wonder, however if it is all worthwhile? Of course we know it is because in Lewisham we have seen a huge reduction in the amount of HB in the years that we have been running the 3 Rivers Clean Up and other similar sessions.
The Tweed Invasives Project has been tackling invasive plant species in and around the River Tweed and its tributaries since 2002, when Giant Hogweed was identified as one of the biggest threats to the River. Since then, they have added Japanese knotweed and Himalayan Balsam to their list of invasives. With all this fantastic experience, they have produced a ‘best practice’ manual, The Tweed Invasives Project: 18 Years of Catchment-wide Control, which gives a detailed guide to delivering a long-term, catchment-scale invasives control programme.
It is a fantastic document highlighting all the different ways in which you can control these species. For those of you that only want to read about Himalayan balsam, you will find this from p24 onwards.
Rivers and People sessions cancelled
Due to the most recent advice from the UK Government and from Lewisham Council, we have decided to cancel the Rivers and People volunteering sessions and until further notice. I appreciate that you may be disappointed by this news, but in light of the current advice this we feel this is the best course of action. I will of course update you as advice changes.
Please let anyone know that you see who may not see this message
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Virtual Tour of Lewisham’s Rivers
There are a lot of wonderful volunteers out there who help keep our rivers clean, from the Friends of the River Pool to Nature’s Gym to Thames21. Part of the reason our rivers are so lovely, is down to this dedicated bunch of people. This is usually the time of year when we, along with a number of partners, would be great ready for the the 3 Rivers Clean Up. Unfortunately, with the way things are currently, we are not sure if this will be able to go ahead. This is a great shame because not only is it great fun, it is a lovely way to meet people and also get to see parts of the Borough you may not know about and experience from a new angle. Thankfully, local resident and very active volunteer Lawrence is here to help. On his blog Mental Mapping he has created a ‘virtual tour’ of Lewisham’s Rivers.
The tour takes in the rivers Ravensbourne, Quaggy and Pool along with their associated tributaries. You will get an idea of the flora and geomorphology along the rivers along with the type of great work the volunteers do.
If you are keen to get involved in volunteering along the rivers, keep an eye out on the following blogs, where we will post updates information about events you’ll be able to take part in – hopefully in the not too distance future!
Rivers and People
3 Rivers Clean Up
Nature’s Gym
Thames 21
Friends of River Pool
Friends of Brookmill Park Talks
The Friends of Brookmill Park are putting on a series of really interesting talks on a number of environmental areas (Birds/Trees/ Flood mitigation etc).
Come along to informative talks on topics of local interest by outstanding speakers, kindly hosted by our friendly local – The Brookmill Pub.
When: Sunday evenings 6.30 for 6.45 start, finish 8.00
Tickets: £5.00 on the door
Location: The Brookmill Pub, 65 Cranbrook Road, SE8 4EJ
Please note talks take place in the upstairs room. Talks audio-recorded for anyone unable to use the stairs.
Proceeds go towards activities in the park.
Job opportunity at Creekside Education Trust
Learning Deliverer
Fixed term contract part time (9 months maternity leave)
DEADLINE for Applications: 12.00pm Thursday, 24th October 2019
Creekside Education Trust
Creekside Education Trust runs the Creekside Discovery Centre on Deptford Creek. The Centre provides an exciting range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages that include discovery walks in Deptford Creek at low tide. Participants wear waders and are able to wade through the water, experiencing an urban wild river while gaining insight into biodiversity, wildlife, and the history of the area. We deliver educational sessions on science, history and geography for thousands of local children every year. Families, community groups, and pre-school groups also participate in various activities. Creekside Discovery Centre is unique, being situated in a completely urban context. The grounds are managed for maximum biodiversity with over 300 species of wildflower on a site of under 0.26 hectares.
Job summary
Creekside Education Trust Learning Deliverers are a team responsible for delivery of outdoor education sessions during term time at Creek Discovery Centre. The sessions include low tide walks within Deptford Creek. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in delivering environmental education and learning outside the classroom in a unique setting in London. This position is for two days a week with flexibility to be term time only.
Job description
- Delivery of outdoor education sessions for primary schools focusing on rivers, local wildlife, science, local history and geography.
- Comply with all Creekside Education Trust health and safety procedures, including risk assessments.
- Adhere to the policies as laid out in the Creekside Education Trust Staff Handbook including safeguarding and child protection.
- Setting up and clearing away before and after sessions. This can include tidying, sweeping, organising resources, moving tables, chairs and benches and tidying bathrooms.
- Assist with promoting Creekside Education Trust and our activities. This can include contributions to our social media accounts and our website.
- Support and supervise any volunteers involved in the delivery of education sessions.
- Complete any other task reasonably requested by the Coordinator or other staff members.
Personal specification
Essential
- Experience of working with primary school aged children
- Demonstrable interest in history, geography or science
- Experience in delivering out of classroom learning
- Willingness to work as part of a supportive team but also able to act on own initiative
- Confident and comfortable in dealing with a range of schools, volunteers and members of the public as well as groups and individuals
- IT skills including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook email, Google Calendar
- Willingness to support pupils with physical, emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties and to enable their inclusion within visits to Creekside Discovery Centre
- Ability to maintain a calm and positive learning environment
- Enthusiasm for the role and a genuine interest in our charity, Creekside Education Trust
Desirable
- Website management skills and experience of developing a social media following e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- First Aid at Work qualification (training or refresher training can be provided if required)
Equal opportunities
Creekside Education Trust is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate. Given the physical nature of this post including walking on a steep sided river bank and a river bed with an uneven rocky surface, if you do have mobility issues, please contact the Coordinator directly to find out more about the role. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To apply for this role, please complete the application form and send it by email to or by post to Creekside Discovery Centre, 14, Creekside, Deptford, SE8 4SA
CET – Application Form – Learning Deliverer
Deadline for applications: 12.00pm Thursday, 24th October 2019.
Interviews will be held on Friday 1st November. Please notify on your application if you are unable to attend an interview on this date.
Creak at the Creek
DATES: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October and Saturday 2 November
Starting at the Discovery Centre and taking place in and around the historic Deptford Creek, this is a once in a lifetime chance to explore the river alongside the Victorian treasure hunters known as the Toshers. Waders provided!
This is a family activity so grown-ups come along and join in the fun with your children. Participants need to be reasonably fit as you will be walking on the bed of a wild river. We provide waders, a waterproof and a walking stick and suggest you wear old clothes. Please note this event is for children over the age of 8. Children under the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult.Performance will last approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and will involving going into Deptford Creek.
Young children are welcome to watch from the footbridge but will need to be accompanied by an adult.
For more information visit the Creekside Discovery website
Reserve you place
Rivers and People 