It’s time for the next programme! Here is the latest April-June programme for the Tuesday sessions:
river-bank-programme-April-June-2018.
We hope you can join us!
Latest News
Leading a Waterway Cleanup with Thames21
Thames 21 Essential Training Course
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
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.
3 Rivers Clean Up 2018
Our first 3 Rivers Clean Up planning session will be taking place later this week. We hope that by the end o it we will have confirmed the dates for this year’s festival. We hope that will be able to overlap with London Rivers Week. This will be the 10th year that we have been running this project so look our for some fun anniversary events and celebrations.
The 3RiversCleanUp is a three-week long intensive annual volunteer campaign to improve the rivers Ravensbourne, Pool and Quaggy in South East London.
Take your family, your friends or just yourself on an urban wilderness adventure this summer and discover the rivers and the nature they support. Join others in removing harmful rubbish and invasive plant species so as to improve the habitats for both flowers and animals. Learn about nature, about the quality of water and why it’s important and also join in with other associated events such as wildlife habitat management, pond dipping and nature walks, most of which will be suitable for all ages. All events are FREE.
If you would like to get involved have a look at the events calendar over the coming months to find out details of event locations and contact details of the event organisers. Events will start to be populated once dates have been finalised. If you would like a bespoke event for your company, please free to contact us and we will do our best to arrange something.
Events are free but some require pre-booking. If there is heavy rain an event may be cancelled at short notice due to the risk of flash flooding. Please check with the event organiser if the weather is bad.
January – March 2018 RBSM programme
The new Rivers and People programme is now available. Join us for our Tuesday sessions where tasks will include the removal of invasive species, litter picks, pond work and clearing of the river banks. If you have any questions about our sessions, please visit the Rivers and People page on this blog.
Swifts & Enhancing Urban Biodiversity
An illustrated talk by Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation
22 February 2018, 19.00 to 21.00 Lewisham Council Chambers – Booking via Eventbrite
This talk should be useful for planners, developers, architects, bird-watchers, nature lovers and anyone with an interest in how we live in our towns and cities.
Swifts are our fastest bird in level flight, and by far the most acrobatic and exciting. They bring amazing aerial displays to even the grimmest city centre.
By encouraging and supporting this bird urban skies can be transformed, and in turn, urban biodiversity and its many benefits promoted. We urgently need to support and enhance urban biodiversity, not just for our own health, but also for the health of the planet.
Edward will show the reasons for the Swift’s decline plus what we can do to save it. Topics covered will include basic biology, habitat and nesting requirements, with examples of easy, cost effective nest place projects.
We have choices when creating urban environments and providing places to live, work and relax in. We can tackle many of the problems with the right motivation and vision, armed with research and examples, using our altruism, and resisting the pressure to “race to the bottom”.
“Green” estates and “leafy suburbs” are the places people want to live, where they are healthier and less of a burden on the NHS and other taxpayer-funded welfare services, and which hold their value, while the “concrete jungle” alternatives quickly decline and end up being demolished.
Starting with Swifts, Edward will run through the basics for providing a richer urban biodiversity, also showing examples of mistakes, “what not to do”, as well as examples of successful schemes.
Leading a Waterway Clean up – Thames 21
Thames 21 Essential Train Course
Thames 21 foundational course, called Leading a Waterway 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
course open to all, including those who may not have any prior experience with environmental issues or with working around water. We combine classroom sessions with volunteering so that you get the best possible learning experience. We 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?
We schedule 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.
See the bottom of this page for details on how to register for sessions.
We 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 by the Training Officer .
How can I use the benefits of the course?
Become an event support team member:
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.
Volunteers working in Ladywell Fields
Volunteers have been working on clearing the nettles on the river banks at Ladywell Fields! This is to make way for wild flowers to come up in the spring and summer. Some areas of nettles will be left for wildlife. If you would like to come along and help us, we will be working at Ladywell Fields by the cafe for the next two Tuesdays, meeting at 11am. Bring work boots and waterproofs!
River Pool Conservation Days
Join Thames 21 for some fun clean up in the River Pool
Linear Park (Catford)
River Pool Conservation Days (Every Wednesday)
• Volunteer and discover the River Pool through Linear Park, Catford.
• Help shed more light on the river and improve its bio-diversity for plants and animals
• Maintain and improve the footpath along the river
• Build flow deflectors and berms in the river channel to increase flow diversity
• Other tasks include scrub removal, tree pruning and litter clearance
• All welcome, all equipment provided, just wear old clothes and bring lots of enthusiasm.
Every Wednesday, 10-3pm, stay as long as you like.
Tea provided all day
Meet 9.30 at Winsford Road Bridge on the Waterlink Way.
For more information on upcoming events please contact Vic Richardson
07973 442219
This Project is Sponsored by Lewisham Council
Volunteers work on clearing the backwater at Ladywell Fields
Volunteers have been clearing reeds from the backwater by the cafe at Ladywell Fields. We remove the reeds to maintain areas of open water for breeding. Species such as newts need these open water areas for mating. Of course, many of the reeds will be left to provide wildlife nesting areas and refuge for birds. This work needs to be done over the winter to minimise disturbance to wildlife and have the pond in top condition ready for next spring.
