A new chapter for the Thames Road Wetland

It’s been a while since my last update and we are now well into December with the seasonal celebrations are just around the corner.

We at Thames21 have been working away on some new developments, being the arrival of a second project officer for the Cray, Joanna Barton has joined the team and much of her work will be focused on our new project centred at and around the Thames Road Wetland.

This project is funded by Cory Environmental Trust; they have supported Thames21 in Bexley in the past. It will enable us to continue to deliver a programme to protect and enhance this wetland site, complete much needed work in the adjacent River Wansunt and develop a community engagement for this small but impressive area of wetland and river habitat close to the vulnerable Crayford Marshes. The wetland further benefits from the commitment of Chris Rose the volunteer wetland site manager who will continue to be working with us. Look out for Joanna’s blog updates and volunteering opportunities as she settles into the Thames21 River Cray Team.

The Veolia Environmental Trust Chalk Stream Habitat improvements project came to an end last month. Our Regular Volunteer River Keepers completed a number of autumn events making some adjustments to the marginal bank repairs.

Lasting two years and working together with North West Kent Countryside Partnership, extensive work has been undertaken to improve and recreate a chalk stream effect for the River at Foots Cray Meadows down stream of Five Arches.  We will be recognising: the success of this work, our partners, supporting organisations and our volunteers with a celebration event in the New Year, details will follow, but the work here does not stop and further marginal plants will be introduced to new river bank areas.

We also welcomed to this section of the river Cray worshippers from The Redeemed Christian Church of God Bethel’s Court who completed a terrific river clean as part of their working for the community weekend.

We will have a number of activities to prepare for winter and a full programme of events for early 2016 so do keep checking our events page on the website or contact Joanna or me to be included in our local circulation updates.

Michael Heath River Cray Project Officer

E mail

Joanna    joanna.barton@thames21.org.uk

Michael   michael.heath@thames21.org.uk