The Cray ‘Riverdance’ with RMS Helping Hands
Dear All
Last Friday 17th July was ‘Helping Hands Day’ with RMS (Risk Management Solutions). Staff from their London Office came to Foots Cray Meadows and completed our largest section of willow weave bank revetment. From scratch they brought materials to the site created the bank, fitted hessian matting behind the weave and coir rolls to the front. The reward was the assistance of a digger to do the back fill.
Our thanks for the enthusiasm and commitment of the RMS people which took us on to meet our objective. This was our second day with this company and we at Thames21 look forward to a developing working partnership.
This work was part of the River Cray Chalk Stream Habitat enhancement project funded by Veolia Environmental Trust and supported by the London Borough of Bexley. Working with our partners from the River Cray Catchment Improvement Group a number of in stream and marginal habitat improvements have been made. Further bank work and river margin habitat enhancement will take the project (with volunteer opportunities) through to next year.
The ‘Helping Hands Day’s is a terrific example of how Thames21 involve corporates groups and deliver challenging, creative and enjoyable sessions for staff in support of activties repairing London’s Rivers.
image B Riches
Thames21 engage people with London’s Rivers, bringing groups to the work on a river is one way we do this, it allows people to get stuck in and delivers our projects. The success of these special days relies on our Thames21 Cray Project Volunteer River Keepers. These dedicated folk can be found throughout all of Thames21s London Wide (and beyond) projects. Thanks to Michael, Rob, Ray, Brian and Ron for their invaluable support on the RMS day and Kelsey’s Farm Kitchen for logistical support.
A Special mention to Ron, Ray and Brian who were back on Thames21 duty at 8am the following day for the Tower of London Archaeology Weekend.
Next Week
Monday 20th I am meeting this year’s teams from the National Citizens Scheme at Foots Cray Meadows 1.30pm Rectory Lane Car Park DA14 5BP
I am at the Thames21 Depot, Barnes Cray Road DA1 4NR. (100m along Byway 106 walking from Barnes Cray Road towards Crayford) on Tuesday at 1030 for Maintenance and again on Wednesday at 1000am when we are taking a group to the Thames Road Wetland.
Friday 24th July meet Leafield Lane DA14 5EB at 1030 for the Veolia project at Foots Cray Meadows for some maintenance of the marginal areas and bank revetment.
Michael Heath
Cray Project Officer
19 July 2015