Happy Birthday, Chiswick Pier!

Hundreds celebrate 10th anniversary of community waterfront opening

Over 200 people enjoyed cruises on the Thames on May 30th and discovered more about one of the most famous rivers in the world.

Organised by the Chiswick Pier Trust, this event helped celebrate the tenth anniversary of the opening of the community waterfront at Chiswick and the many ways that this project enables Londoners to access their river.

The pier complex was built as a result of a joint effort between local people and Hounslow Council, and joining the celebrations were Cllrs Barwood, Dakers and O’Reilly.

Those on the morning trip travelled aboard the Queen Elizabeth to the City and back, while the afternoon cruise went upstream to Richmond, entertained en route by a mix of stories, anecdotes and information delivered by different speakers from the Trust and its supporters. What everyone had in common was a shared love and enthusiasm for the Thames.

Upstream of Chiswick Pier, the river boasts historic fishing villages and breweries, Syon House, Kew Gardens, the entrance to the Grand Union Canal, many rowing clubs and islands packed with wildlife, so there was no shortage of things to see.

The trip was further enlivened by the appearance of the RNLI station manager from Chiswick Pier, Wayne Bellamy, who jumped aboard from the lifeboat and gave a fascinating insight into the world of river rescues.

Trenton Oldfield from the Thames Strategy, Kew to Chelsea, highlighted the importance of Chiswick Pier as a role model for other London boroughs: over the last decade, river use here has grown and flourished, showing that with the right mix of facilities, people just love to get off the city tarmac and onto the water.

To round off the day, as the boat pulled in, the children aboard gave a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, Chiswick Pier!

The celebrations will continue on Sunday July 15th with the Trust’s main event of the year, Party on the Pier. Birthday cake for all and lots of fun and games and are promised.

June 9, 2006