A Fond Farewell to St Pauls Academy after three years loyal service with Thames21

Dear All

The team rallied to my request to help the event at Erith with St Pauls Academy last Saturday Thanks to Ron, Brian, Michael and Ray for supporting the students with the removal of a skip full of plastic from the Thames Estuary Shoreline.

Students making their way down to the Plastic Strewn Shore Line
Students making their way down to the Plastic Strewn Shore Line

Sadly with changes to the Academy’s volunteering programme and after three years of loyal service by St Pauls Academy Greenwich http://www.stpaulsacademy.org.uk/ to the River Cray Project this was our final time with them.

end of session and an era, the students with the full skip.
End of session and an era, the students with the full skip.

It has been a pleasure for the regular team to have worked with different students as they progressed through their school years, the students have volunteered in their own time out in all weather conditions working at: The Thames Road Wetland, Foots Cray Meadows and the Saltings at Erith. They have consistently turned out with Thames21, worked hard and made a difference. Hopefully they have learnt about the environmental issues facing London’s rivers and open spaces, the value of team work, leadership and other skills along with the challenges and satisfaction of contributing.

Winter in the Wetland
Winter in the Wetland

They have been a pleasure for my regulars to work with, being a credit to their generation and school. We will miss them; wish each student and the Academy every success. Special thanks to Geography Teacher Mr Gordon Davis for giving us the opportunity to work together.

Face to Face with Full On Fly Tipping
Face to Face with Full On Fly Tipping

Next events

Thursday 25th June 2015 the Thames21 River Cray Project midsummer community walk will be a circular tour of Dartford Marshes We will meet at the Station Approach to Dartford Railway station Mill Pond Road  DA1 1BP at 1330 All welcome come with walking shoes, dressed for the weather, hat, sunscreen drinking water and a snack.

Wednesday 1st July 2015 -Taster Session and Introduction to Thames21 and the River Cray. At Foots Cray Meadows. A great opportunity to bring along new and returning volunteers to the iconic Five Arches and try out litter picking in waders! Meet 1030 at the Five Arches off Leafield Lane DA14 5EB.

St Pauls Academy Greenwich with that Skip Full again
St Pauls Academy Greenwich with that Skip Full again

Michael Heath

Cray Project Officer

24 June 2015