Residents urged to reclaim the Roundmoor!
PRESS RELEASE
Big opportunities for residents to get involved with improving the waterway
Date of release: June 29, 2018
People living in the Windsor and Maidenhead area are being urged to reclaim the Roundmoor through regular river improvement events led by Thames21, a charity which has the vision to put healthy rivers back at the heart of everyday life.
A series of 30 events to restore and enhance a 750 metre stretch of river across Dorney Common will start with a conservation weekend on Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8 – and you are invited!
Volunteers can get hands-on with constructing natural features; permeable berms and deflectors, to prevent erosion to the riverbank, planting vegetation to increase marginal habitat, which will attract invertebrates and increase cover for fish.
“People are passionate about the Roundmoor; this we know from recent public consultations, but now is the time to turn that passion into action,” said Luke Damerum, project officer for the Non-Tidal Thames at Thames21. “The Roundmoor needs some TLC to improve the dynamic of the river, make it more biodiverse and more usable for the community. That’s where the local community has an opportunity to play a vital role. Get involved by joining our conservation days!”
The first conservation days on July 7 and 8 are at the Cattle Grid, on Tilestone Bridge, Roundmoor, Eton Wick, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, with another set of activities at the same place on July 21 and 22.All events are listed on our events page.
With funding from Thames Water, Thames21 has worked closely with stakeholders such as the Eton Wick Waterways Group, Thames Valley Angling Association, the Environment Agency, Dorney Court Estate and Eton College on a programme of enhancements.
Thames Water worked closely with the Royal Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor to identify residents’ concerns and devise the project’s outline.
Richard Aylard, External Affairs Director at Thames Water, said: “We look for opportunities to work with local communities and support activity that will enhance their local environment with funding and advice. Working with Thames21 on the Roundmoor Ditch engages our local customers with how we operate and makes enhancements to this important local stream.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
The volunteering opportunities, scheduled so far, all meeting at the Cattle Grid, Tilestone Bridge, SL4 SNQ are as follows:
July 7 and 8, Bank restoration. 10.30am to 2.30pm
July 21 and 22, Installing underwater natural deflectors on the river bank to help the flow of the waterways. 10.30am to 2.30pm
August 4 and 5, Installing double deflectors. 10.30am to 2.30pm
August 18 and 19, Installing alternating deflectors. 10.30am to 2.30pm
September 1 and 2, Installing alternating deflectors/permeable berms, weaved wooden constructions, to help direct the river flow. 10.30am to 2.30pm
September 15 and 16, Installing permeable berms. 10.30am – 2.30pm
September 29 and 30, Installing permeable berms. 10.30am – 2.30pm
All equipment is provided. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothes. Sessions may change because of environmental conditions. Check listings on www.thames21.org.uk/events
About Thames21
Thames21 is an environmental charity putting healthy rivers back at the heart of community life. Through environmental improvements, education, research and advocacy efforts, Thames21 is inspiring and influencing effective and lasting change by working hand-in-hand with communities to deliver tangible and measurable improvements for urban rivers.
www.thames21.org.uk | Registered Charity No. 1103997
Media Contact
Kirsten Downer
Communications Officer
Kirsten.Downer@thames21.org.uk
07711 701 696
020 7248 7171
Or (Wednesdays to Friday)
Ian Lamont
Communications Manager at Thames21
07739 627667
020 7248 7171