News

MPs to attend TideFest event for ‘London’s River’

Two newly elected West London MPs will be the guests of honour at this year’s TideFest to be held along the Tidal Thames on September 20th. Wildlife organisations, river and environmental groups and community associations have invited Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury (Lab) and Twickenham MP Dr Tania Mathias (Con) to this second, bigger TideFest where they will be taking part in some of the wide array of activities on offer and helping out with the prize giving.
TideFest is a new River Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2015 takes place at Strand on the Green, Chiswick, Kew and at other locations along the Thames Tideway. TideFest is part of the month long Totally Thames festival and is supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition, Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.
The activities are planned to run from from 10am – 6pm and are open to all.
• The marquees on the riverside embankment at Strand on the Green will host displays on the Thames Tideway, historical artefacts collected by local archivists, painting by local artists, children’s activities, live fish tanks and an information point with material available from environmental and wildlife groups and the Port of London Authority.
• Visitors will also be able to benefit from discounted or free access to three great West London attractions by simply turning up with a TideFest programme or mentioning TideFest when booking. The discounts are available at the popular London Wetland Centre in Barnes and the award winning London Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford whilst Thames Water have agreed to open the doors to their internationally important wetland nature reserve at Kempton.

• Stand Up Paddleboarding. Organised by Active 360 with pre-booked sessions from 11am for those new to paddleboarding, an Eco tour from Kew to Hammersmith and an evening river tour to Richmond. There will be a race at Strand on the Green at 4.30pm.
• Kayak Taster Sessions by Edge Paddling where newcomers can simply turn up from 11am and try kayaking with qualified coaches.
• The prestigious Thames Tideway Angling Championship takes place from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Strand on the Green and Barnes. 50 top anglers from across the UK will be taking part and spectators are welcome.
• On the Foreshore there will be children’s activities including river dipping, seine netting, water testing and games designed to explain and increase understanding of what’s going on in the river run by the environmental charity Thames 21. A series of highly informative Archaeological Walks and tour of Oliver’s Island will be held in the afternoon from 12 noon onwards at Strand on the Green.
• The London Wildlife Trust is once again offering people a rare chance to visit their nature reserve on Isleworth Ait. (Further details to be announced)
• At 6pm the SoTG Sailing Club hold their annual TideFest Challenge Trophy competition. Spectators welcome.
• The River Thames Society is organising four one hour boat trips around the Tideway islands leaving from Kew Pier on the historic Thames launch the Windrush. Guided commentary included. Trips leave at 11am, 12.15, 1.30 and 2.45 (advance booking required)
Further details of the full programme of events and booking details can be found on our website at http://www.thamestidefest.net . A promotional video can be viewed here https://youtu.be/MSSnB-_7ciQ
Ruth Cadbury MP said:AAEAAQAAAAAAAAIgAAAAJGE1ZTg5YjQ1LTdjNDUtNGY1Mi05OGQ5LTAxMTEzYjcxMDBmZg
“Along with thousands of local residents, I understand the importance of the Thames. I run along it and I have learnt to Kayak down it. Its importance to my constituents and the entire city cannot be underestimated. For centuries the Thames helped build the London economy. It is great that so many organisations have come together to celebrate the potential of the Thames and to press for a cleaner river so future generations can benefit. The Thames is a green lung for London, and we must protect and value it.”
Dr Tania Mathias added:tania
“I’ve lived by the River Thames since I was a child and I am a big supporter of scientists in my constituency of Twickenham who monitor the River Crane. I am passionate about the wildlife that I see every day and I am a frequent visitor of the Swan Sanctuary. The river is the life force running through our city and it will always be important to me as a resident and a London MP. I am delighted to support this celebration of the Thames and all it offers us.”
TideFest organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said:
“This is an event that keeps on growing and which aims to help reconnect Londoners with their river. The Thames holds 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 on our doorsteps. We are particularly pleased this year to be welcoming our two local MPs both of whom have a keen interest in the health of the river.”

News

Visitor discounts for museum and wildlife attractions at TideFest

Visitors to this year’s TideFest on 20th September will be able to benefit from discounted or free access to three great West London attractions by simply turning up with a TideFest programme or mentioning TideFest when booking. The discounts are available at the popular London Wetland Centre in Barnes and the award winning London Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford whilst Thames Water have agreed to open the doors to their internationally important wetland nature reserve at Kempton.

TideFest is a new River Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2015 takes place on September 20th at Chiswick, Kew, Brentford, Barnes, Isleworth and at other locations along the Thames Tideway. TideFest is organized by river and wildlife organisations and is part of the Totally Thames Festival and is sponsored by Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.

Discounts at the London Wetland Centre

London Wetland Centre nature reserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles, with six hides, kids’ adventure zones and cafés.

Nestled in a loop of the Thames, London Wetland Centre is an urban oasis for wildlife and people; a rural idyll in the heart of the capital.  It is perfect for a relaxing stroll along the paths that meander among the lakes, meadows and gardens.

A 20% discount will be offered on the standard admission fee of £12.75, and all other tickets, for Sept 20th when mentioning TideFest or presenting a programme.

London Wetland Centre nature reserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles
London Wetland Centre nature reserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, bats, amphibians and water voles

Discounts at the 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 20th package where all kids go free and adults can have a special £8.00 rate, instead of £11.50, if quoting Tidefest or presenting a Tidefest programme.

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.

Kempton Nature Reserve Community Day

Kempton Nature Reserve will be opening its doors free of charge to the community to come and explore this internationally important 20-hectare wetland nature reserve in West London.

  • The site has deep-water areas with reed fringes, extensive areas of gravel and mud attractive to wading birds, a network of channels and islands for safe nesting refuges.
  • On offer during the open day will be a range of interactive activities to explore the biodiversity of the wetlands and the need to conserve it.
  • There will also be a mini bio-blitz with species surveys focused on aquatic habitats and guided birdwatching walks, suitable for adults as well as children.
Compton Nature Reserve is haven for wildlife such as this beautiful Sedge Warbler.
Kempton Nature Reserve is haven for wildlife such as this beautiful Sedge Warbler.

TideFest Organiser, Martin Salter of the Angling Trust said: “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners we are able to offer a great range of activities either free of charge or at substantially discounted rates at this year’s TideFest. We want to encourage people to appreciate the wildlife, history and recreational potential of the Thames Tideway and the surrounding area and create a genuine celebration of all that the river has to offer.”

 

1.Venue Details

London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT. Opens: 9.30am – 6pm

London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 OEN. Opens: 11am – 4pm

Kempton Nature Reserve, Snakey Lane, Feltham, London, TW13 6XH. Opens: 10am – 5pm

News

Plans announced for a bigger TideFest event for ‘London’s River’

Wildlife organisations, river and environmental groups and community associations have this week announced plans for a second, bigger TideFest to be held on the Tidal Thames in London on September 20th.

TideFest is a new River Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2015 takes place at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and at other locations along the Thames Tideway. TideFest is proud to be a partner of Totally Thames and to be supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition, Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.

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A wide range of activities have been planned from 10am – 6pm for Sunday 20th September including:

  • Stand Up Paddleboarding. Organised by Active 360 with pre-booked sessions from 11am for those new to paddleboarding, an Eco tour from Kew to Hammersmith and an evening river tour to Richmond. There will be a race at Strand on the Green at 4.30pm.
  • Kayak Taster Sessions by Edge Paddling where newcomers can simply turn up from 11am and try kayaking with qualified coaches.
  • A day out at Thames Water’s Kempton Nature Reserve – an internationally important wetland habitat with great bird life. From 10am to 5pm visitors will be able explore these urban wetlands of London through interactive activities for children, aquatic habitat species surveys and guided birdwatching walks.
  • A whole range of community activities and displays will be available at the Strand on the Green. The marquees on the riverside embankment will host displays on the Thames Tideway, historical artefacts collected by local archivists, painting by local artists, children’s activities and an information point with material available from environmental and wildlife groups and the Port of London Authority.
  • The charity Get Hooked on Fishing will be holding a series of fun, angling related activities on the foreshore aimed at children and newcomers to the sport from 10am to 4pm.
  • The prestigious Thames Tideway Angling Championship takes place from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Strand on the Green and Barnes. 50 top anglers from across the UK will be taking part and spectators are welcome.
  • On the Foreshore 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. A series of highly informative Archaeological Walks and tour of Oliver’s Island will be held in the afternoon from 12 noon onwards at Strand on the Green.
  • The London Wildlife Trust is once again offering people a rare chance to visit their nature reserve on Isleworth Ait. (Further details to be announced)
  • At 6pm the SoTG Sailing Club hold their annual TideFest Challenge Trophy competition. Spectators welcome.
  • The River Thames Society is organising four one hour boat trips around the Tideway islands leaving from Kew Pier on the historic Thames launch the Windrush. Guided commentary included. Trips leave at 11am, 12.15, 1.30 and 2.45 (advance booking required)

TideFest organiser Martin Salter from the Angling Trust said:

“This is an event that keeps on growing and which aims to help reconnect Londoners with their river. The Thames holds 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 on our doorsteps. With work on the Thames Tunnel about to commence we can look forward to a brighter future for this great river and loads more opportunities for people to enjoy what it has to offer.”

Debbie Leach, Chief Executive of Thames21 said: “There are great opportunities to use and enjoy the River Thames, to learn about it and understand what it provides for London, for nature and for the community. As the Thames becomes cleaner, these opportunities will only grow and Tidefest is the perfect day for us all to celebrate this.”

Gordon Scorer, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust added:

“It’s good to see all the groups who’ve been working so hard for a cleaner Thames coming together to celebrate the importance of London’s river and promoting the fantastic recreational and wildlife opportunities that are here right in the heart of this great city.”

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Tideway Tunnels and Thames Water all the activities are either free or offered at a substantially reduced rate. Check website or Facebook page at http://thamestidefest.net/ or http://www.facebook.com/thamestidefest for details where advanced booking is required.

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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2017 Update

2016 Tidefest was awesome…2017 will be the best yet !

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 If you didn’t manage to get to Tidefest 2016 you really missed out because last years event was simply awesome !

stands

Paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, sailing, trips to secret islands, guided walks, nature reserve tours, boats trips and so much more packed the day with fun and excitement for more visitors than ever before.

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 !

TideFest is now a key date in the London diary and has become a wonderful celebration of the fascinating tidal River Thames. The event which took place for the first time in 2014 highlights the recreational importance of the Thames to Londoners. TideFest 2017 will take place on Sunday September 10th at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and at other locations along the Thames Tideway so get it in your diary NOW !

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.

TideFest is proud to be a partner of Totally Thames and to be supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition, Thames Tideway Tunnel and Thames Water.

An even wider range of activities are currently being planned for Tidefest 2017 so keep checking back for news !

 

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TideFest is a new river Thames event which took place for the first time last year on World Rivers Day to highlight and celebrate the recreational importance of the Thames Tideway to Londoners. TideFest 2015 is taking place on September 20th at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and at other locations along the Thames tideway. TideFest is proud to be a partner of Totally Thames and to be supported by the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition and the Thames Tideway Tunnel.

A wide range of activities are currently being planned for Sunday 20th September

festsquare

 

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 !

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London's Family River Festival