Category Archives: 2016 Update

2016 Update, News

Come and ‘Enjoy the River’ at TideFest 2016

Wildlife organisations, river and environmental groups and community associations have this week announced plans for the third TideFest to be held on the tidal Thames in London on Sunday September 11th

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TideFest is a relatively new River Thames event which took place for the first time in 2014 to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners and to encourage people to ‘enjoy the river’. TideFest 2016 takes place at Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick and at Brentford, Barnes and other locations along the Thames Tideway, as part of the month long Totally Thames festival.

A wide range of activities have been planned from 9am to 7pm on Sunday 11th September at either free or heavily subsidised rates including:

  • Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Thames. Active 360 will be running pre-booked 50 minute supervised sessions at Kew Bridge from 11am to 4pm for those new to paddleboarding, at just £10 per person. There will also be a mass paddle from Kew to Putney starting at 2pm in aid of the charity Water Aid.
Paddleboarding
Stand-up Paddleboarding is awesome fun
  • Try free Kayak Taster Sessions with Edge Paddling at Kew Bridge. Newcomers can simply turn up from 12 noon to 6pm and try kayaking on the Thames with qualified coaches. Must be 12 years or over. A free prize draw is included, with three free club memberships worth £96 on offer.
  • A day out at Thames Water’s Hogsmill nature rserve at Kingston. This is a special opportunity to visit a nature reserve that is part of an operational sewage works and normally closed to the public. There will be opportunities to try bird watching with local experts, bird house building, honey tasting with the Kingston Bee Keeping Association and wildlife face painting. Light refreshments will be available.
  • A whole range of family-friendly activities and displays will be available at the Strand-on-the-Green. Marquees on the riverside embankment will host displays on the Thames Tideway, historical artefacts collected by local archivists, paintings by local artists, children’s activities and an information point with material available from environmental and the Port of London Authority. London Wildlife Trust will also be on hand to talk about the capital’s wildlife and to sign up Dragonfly Detectives as part of an exciting new project to survey the capital’s rivers and ponds.
  • The prestigious Thames Tideway Angling Championship takes place from 11am to 4pm at Strand on the Green and Barnes. 40 top anglers from across the UK will be taking part and spectators are welcome. Last year the first prize went to Andriks Lekstutis who caught fish with a combined weight of over 31lbs (14kg) at Strand-on-the-Green – demonstrating just how healthy the river now is. All fish are returned to the river unharmed.
  • On the Foreshore at Strand-on-the-Green there will be children’s activities including river dipping, water testing and games designed to explain and increase understanding of what’s going on in the river run by the environmental charity Thames21. Alongside this will be seine netting supervised by ZSL and the Institute of Fisheries management to show you what lives in the Thames.
  • A series of highly informative archaeological tours of Oliver’s Island will be held at Strand-on-the-Green. These fascinating walks will be led by archaeologists Dr Fiona Haughey and Mike Webber. For those aged over 16 only. Please wear sensible footwear. 11.00am, 11.15am, 11.30am, 12.00pm, 12.15pm, 12.30pm. There will also be other foreshore walks and a tour of the historic Lots Ait boatyard.
The Iconic Kew Bridge over the Thames
Kew Bridge from Strand on the Green, Chiswick – home to TideFest 2016
  • Take a boat trip along the Thames. 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 (advance booking essential)

All activities can be booked via the TideFest website from August 1st onwards

Gordon Scorer, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust said:

Gordon Scorer CEO of London Wildlife Trust
Gordon Scorer CEO of London Wildlife Trust

“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 organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said:

IMG_3825“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 over120 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. We are planning a range of new attractions this year which we hope to announce in the coming weeks.”

TideFest is supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition with sponsorship from Tideway, Fullers and Thames Water.

. All activities are either free or offered at a substantially reduced rate. Check website or Facebook page at www.thamestidefest.net or www.facebook.com/thamestidefest for more information.

ENDS

More info:

Martin Salter – (Angling Trust and organizer) 07976946033

Ian Tokelove  – (London Wildlife Trust) 07834867420

 

Notes:

Tidefest partners: Active 360, Angling Trust, Brentford FC Community Sports Trusts,  Edge Paddling, Get Hooked on Fishing, London Wildlife Trust, River Thames Society, RSPB, Strand on the Green Assoc, Strand on the Green Sailing Club, Thames 21, Thames Tunnel Now, Thames Anglers Conservancy, Totally Thames, Port of London Authority.

2016 Update

“Turn-up on the day” events and discounts

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Some of the Thames Tidefest events need to be booked in advance (click here to see them) However there are also lots of events that you can just turn up on the day and take part in..take a look at a list of them below !

Kayak Taster Sessions  – Edge Paddling

Try free Kayak Taster Sessions with Edge Paddling at Kew Bridge Boating Arch. Newcomers can simply turn up from 12 noon to 6pm and try kayaking on the Thames with qualified coaches. Must be 12 years or over. A free prize draw is included, with three free club memberships worth £96 on offer.

Times: 12 to 6pm

FREE OF CHARGE AND NO NEED TO BOOK

No experience required ! Tidesfest provides an amazing opportunity for complete novices to find themselves afloat on the tidal Thames !
No experience required ! Tidesfest provides an amazing opportunity for complete novices to find themselves afloat on the tidal Thames !

Hogsmill Nature Reserve Community Day – Surbiton Lagoon

A great day out for all the family at Thames Water’s Hogsmill Nature Reserve at Kingston. This is a special opportunity to visit a nature reserve that is part of an operational works site and normally closed to the public. The event is going to be on the public side of the reserve as we are in the middle of construction for the Hogsmill Growth Project currently on the operational side. There will be opportunities to try bird watching with local experts, bird house building, pond dipping, honey tasting with the Kingston Bee Keeping Association, craft activities making clothes pin dragonfly fridge magnets and bottle fish along with wildlife face painting. There will be bird and mammal identification games with prizes and light refreshments will be available.

Further Information 07747 647 708

Times: 11am – 3pm

Venue: Hogsmill Nature Reserve, Lower Marsh Lane, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3BW

FREE OF CHARGE AND NO NEED TO BOOK

Hogsmill Nature Reserve
Hogsmill Nature Reserve

Community Activities and Stalls at Strand on the Green

A whole range of family-friendly activities, displays and refreshments will be available at the Strand-on-the-Green. Marquees on the riverside embankment will host displays on the Thames Tideway, paintings by local artists, children’s activities and games, stalls run by river and environmental groups and the Port of London Authority’s Riverside Code safety game. The London Wildlife Trust will be there to talk about the capital’s wildlife and to sign up Dragonfly Detectives as part of an exciting new project to survey the capital’s rivers and ponds. There will be some live music too and lots of information to take away.

JUST TURN UP AT STRAND ON THE GREEN, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 3RE FROM 10AM TO 5PM                   

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Foreshore Activities at Strand on the Green

On the Foreshore at Strand-on-the-Green there will be children’s activities including river dipping, water testing and games designed to explain and increase understanding of what’s going on in the river run by the environmental charity Thames21. Alongside this will be seine netting supervised by ZSL and the Institute of Fisheries management to show you what lives in the Thames. The Environment Agency will have a fish tank displaying live fish from the river.

RIVER DIPPING FROM 11am AND SEINE NETTING 2 to 4pm

Tidefest is for everyone..make sure you get along to our 2016 event.
Tidefest is for everyone..make sure you get along to our 2016 event.

Paint The River ! Artist Tent

Come and help paint a picture of the river during Tidefest and lets see how long we can make it! We may not beat any world records (the longest picture ever painted was 10,850m) but we will give it a go. Local artist Steph Curtis-Raleigh will be on hand with paints, crayons and inspirational ideas. Children (and adults) are welcome to add their contribution and their names to the work. Photos of the river painting will be posted on Facebook throughout the day.

Local artist Steph Curtis-Raleigh
Local artist Steph Curtis-Raleigh

TideFest Discounts at London Museum of Water & Steam

London Museum of Water & Steam is home to magnificent collection of steam pumping engines and tells the history of London’s water supply. This great little museum by Kew Bridge is offering a special Sept 11th TideFest package where all kids under 15 yrs get in free of charge and adults receive a special £8.00 rate, instead of £11.50, by quoting Tidefest or presenting a Tidefest programme.

.The discount is valid on the day or afterwards if you can present a programme.

This fantastic museum is open 11-4 daily and more details are on their website . www.waternadsteam.org.uk

London Museum of Water & Steam is home to magnificent collection of steam pumping engines.
London Museum of Water & Steam is home to magnificent collection of steam pumping engines.

Sailing with Strand on the Green Sailing Club

Come and watch the local experts sail the Thames Tideway. Strand on the Green Sailing Club was established on 4 April 1946 when 22 people met in the Club Room of the Bell and Crown pub in Chiswick and unanimously resolved to form a sailing club. The club holds regular events and competitions and will be out on the water from 3.30pm on the day of Tidefest. Spectators welcome.

For more information go to http://www.strandsailing.org.uk/index.htm

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Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) Time Truck

 The new MOLA Time Truck will be parked up next to Kew Bridge and hosting a rolling drop in demonstration of the Thames Water sponsored Cleaning up History education programme. This innovative activity includes hands on education around London’s sewers combined with the thrill of archaeological discovery. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the Time Truck, MOLA’s ambitious outreach plans, and Thames Water’s education programme.

For more info on the Time Truck go to http://www.mola.org.uk/time-truck

Time: 10.30am to 4pm

FREE OF CHARGE AND NO NEED TO BOOK

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2016 Update

Angling Competition to grow in 2016

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Following the hugely successful 2015 event, we are proud to announce that the date for a bigger, better, 3rd Thames TideFest Angling Championship has been announced. The prestigious event, organised by the Angling Trust and Thames Water, will be held on Sunday, September 11th, 2016 on the tidal Thames in London.

bream

The match will extend upstream to Ham, an area renowned for big bags of dace and bream, in addition to the existing sections at Strand on the Green at Kew and downstream at Barnes. With just 20 pegs in each zone, anglers will have a lot more room between pegs.

As well as the pools payouts the competitors will share £1,000 in prize money, split over the three zones, thanks to sponsorship from Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water. All ticket monies will be donated to the angling charity Get Hooked on Fishing.

Martin Salter, Keith Arthur and Will Barnard with a cheque for the 'Get Hooked on Fishing" charity, raised at Tidefest 2015
Martin Salter, Keith Arthur and Will Barnard with a cheque for the ‘Get Hooked on Fishing” charity, raised at Tidefest 2015

Despite bright sunny conditions and low flows the river fished well in this year’s match and bream to 7lbs showed throughout, together with some huge dace at Strand on the Green and some quality roach at Barnes.

kid bream

Andriks Lekstutis took first place with 31lbs 13ozs of slabs from just below Kew railway bridge at Strand on the Green while Tackle Up proprietor Nigel Newport from Fleet in Hampshire recorded the top weight at Barnes of 21lbs 8ozs

Tidefest Angling Champion 2015 Andriks Lekstutis proudly showing off his winners trophy.
Tidefest Angling Champion 2015 Andriks Lekstutis proudly showing off his winners trophy.

Angling journalist and Thames regular Keith Arthur said: “I am delighted to hear that plans are in hand for an even bigger and better event next year, bringing a section of semi-tidal Thames at Ham into the match and with it lots more activities on the ample grassland next to the river. The way the river has fished this year, 2016 should be even better. One of the big surprises for me was the appearance of some serious roach on the downstream section at Barnes. Next year the pegging will be more generous so I expect even more fish to be caught.”

TideFest organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said: “It has been great to see so many people out enjoying the river right in the heart of London and for angling to be at the centre of celebrating the fabulous potential of the Thames. Including new sections upstream allows us to cater for a minimum of 60 anglers, and maybe more in the future, whilst giving everybody a bit more room to maximise the potential from their pegs.”

Will Barnard, Angling Development Manager for Thames Water said: “Thames Water are pleased to be supporting the Thames TideFest Championship and to be promoting angling opportunities in London. The tidal Thames is already a good fishery but it will only get better once the new Tideway Tunnel is built and the water quality improves still further.”

Will Barnard of Thames Water get's ready for the weigh-in
Will Barnard of Thames Water get’s ready for the weigh-in

This year’s TideFest raised £225 for Get Hooked on Fishing.

To book a place for next year’s TideFest contact Ron’s Tackle, 465 Upper Richmond Road West, London SW14 7PU. Telephone: 020 8876 4897 or email sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net

2016 Update

Stand up in the middle of the Thames !

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Stand Up Paddleboarding

paddle board girls

Amongst the huge variety of events on offer at Tidefest, perhaps one of the most exciting is Stand-Up Paddleboarding. You really can walk straight off the street and find yourself standing up in the middle of the river. Paddle boarding is fun, safe and great exercise, but best of all it allows you the chance to have a swans eye view of London from the middle of the river.

paddleboarders 1

Tidefest offers absolute beginners the chance to learn how to take to the water and navigate yourself around on the amazing Tidal Thames. It’s an experience not to be missed and was a sell out in 2015, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on when tickets for the 2016 event will go on sale !

paddleboard 3

 

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