River Cray Project

Published

Dear All

This last week the team of regular Volunteer River Keepers were on the Lower Cray at The Depot twice, first to sort out the van which was woefully untidy (even to my standards) following a series of events.

Wednesday we returned to boat to Crayford and was able to assess the Cray from Crayford Waterside Gardens to Barnes Cray (litter picking the towpath rubbish and cans along the way). There is a disturbing about of stuff on the river bed on Byway 106 where the lane cuts through from Crayford Way. This needs some attention soon along with some rubbish trapped in a dipping willow. Ideal for a local community event and possibly the boat.

Thursday was our weekly fixture for the Veolia Environmental Trust River Enhancement project at Foots Cray Meadows, we were joined by a team from the Bexleyheath Job Centre who were rapidly trained in the technique of fixing large wood pieces to the river bed to create marginal bank habitat.

A day of the office Caption Competition?

Continuing this theme The Bexley Natural Environment Forum met on Wednesday evening. Chris Rose (The Thames Road Wetland Manager) presented an update of his Bexley Wildlife Website, produced in association with Greener Bexley it is well worth a visit and he is open to contributions on anything relating to the Natural Environment in Bexley. Have a look you may be subject to a profile. Visit http://www.bexleywildlife.org/

Preparations are almost complete for our visit tomorrow of the National Citizens Service at Foots Cray Meadows (Saturday), I will let you know how it goes.

Next Week

The Veolia Environmental Trust River Cray Enhancement Project (With NWKCP, who are WWF Funded) Continues on Wednesday 1st October at Foots Cray Meadows. Meet Leafield Lane DA14 5EB at 10am to 3pm bring a packed lunch.

On Thursday 2nd October subject to sufficient volunteers at short notice a Cray River Project response to the above problem at Crayford Meet at The Barnes Cray Depot 1030 DA1 4NR please notify me if attending this and the Wednesday event. Help will be wanted to tidy the van again!

Michael Heath

Cray Project Officer

26 September 2014