The Lost Rivers of London

A talk by Roger Squires at Chiswick Pier House

In years gone by sparkling streams ran though the fields that surrounded London. Sadly, with the spread of the city, the majority of those rivers have been forced underground.

Sometimes they become evident after heavy rain, or when a builder digs too deep. For the most part, they lie forgotten.

Over time, many of these rivers became part of London's sewage system, especially so after Bazalgette created the 'modern' sewage outfall system in the 1860's.

Today the ’lost rivers’ can be traced from old maps and tell tale names, like Knightsbridge, or simply from the lie of the land. Roger Squires will enlighten us on the many clues as to where they were and are now and will reveal initiatives into bringing parts of these old rivers back to life.

Roger is an Economic Geographer by training who subsequently developed interests in industrial archaeology and regeneration. He is the author of several books on canals and was Deputy National Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association until he retired in September 2009.

The Chiswick Pier Trust are hosting the talk, at 7.30pm on Thursday March 25th at the Pier House, Corney Reach, W4. Doors open at 7pm and the event will start at 7.30pm. Free to Chiswick Pier Trust members, £3 to non members.

Chiswick Pier House are at the end of Corney Road and Edensor Road, Chiswick, W4 2UG. The talk is part of a series organised by the Chiswick Pier Trust, a charity that puts people in touch with the River Thames.

For further details on events at the Pier and how to get there, contact the Chiswick Pier Trust 020 8742 2713 or log on at www.chiswickpier.org.uk.

March 16, 2010