Local MP To 'Paddle Her Own Canoe'
Ruth Cadbury will have a go' at kayaking at Tidefest
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury has announced that not only will she will be attending this year’s Tidefest but that she plans to take to the water and have a go at kayaking.
Tidefest is an annual event to celebrate the recreational importance of the Thames Tideway to Londoners. It is based at Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick and at other locations along the tideway from 10am to 6pm on Sunday 11 September and is a day packed with lots of great activities for all the family. There’s paddle-boarding, kayaking, river dipping, guided foreshore walks, boat trips, an angling competition, nature reserve visits, artists’ displays, seine netting, live fish tanks, museum discounts, children’s games, stalls, music, refreshments, and more.
Ruth trying out paddleboarding
Ruth said: “We are so lucky to have the Thames on our doorstep and Tidefest is our opportunity to celebrate all that this means; sport, nature, a transport route and a beautiful landscape. Kayaking and paddle-boarding are two sports I have been able to learn since being here. They’re fun, easy to pick up and you don’t need to be particularly fit! I look forward to seeing people coming down to try them out at this year’s Tidefest.”
Peter Hughes, from Edge Paddling, said: “Kayaking is one of the best ways to enjoy the Thames, and Kew Bridge is one of the very best locations to launch from. Our Club is very social and thrives on an equal mix of men and women. We welcome people of all skill levels, and TideFest is a great opportunity for the public to try a free taster session.”
There will be children’s activities on the foreshore at Strand on the Green including river dipping, water testing and games designed to explain and increase understanding of what’s going on in the river, all run by the environmental charity Thames21.
There’s also a series of highly informative archaeological tours of Oliver’s Island at Strand-on-the-Green. These fascinating walks will be led by archaeologists Dr Fiona Haughey and Mike Webber. There will be other foreshore walks and a tour of the historic Lots Ait boatyard at Brentford which is hosting an exhibition of boat building on the Thames. Bookings can be made through the website: www.thamestidefest.net .
The River Thames Society is organising four hour-long boat trips around the Thames Tideway islands, leaving from Kew Pier on the historic Thames launch the Windrush. Guided commentary included. Trips leave at 11.00am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm and 2.45pm but advance booking essential
TideFest organiser Martin Salter, from the Angling Trust, said: “TideFest is now an established annual event that is growing in popularity and which aims to help reconnect Londoners with their river. The Thames holds over 120 different species of fish and is home to a tremendous array of birds and other wildlife yet far too few people are aware of what an amazing resource we have in the heart of our capital city.”
Gordon Scorer, London Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, said: “TideFest is a great opportunity to enjoy a day by the river with lots to see and do – both on and off the water. You can discover what lives in the river, explore the river’s archaeological history or get out on the water by boat, kayak or even Stand Up Paddleboard. The Trust will also be on hand to talk about London’s wildlife and we’d love to see you there!”
TideFest is supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition with sponsorship from Thames Tideway, Fullers and Thames Water. All activities are either free or offered at a substantially reduced rate.
September 2, 2016
