Each year TideFest gets bigger and better. Although we are based at Kew Bridge we want people to enjoy and learn about as many of the wonders of Thames Tideway as possible. As well as our usual river based events we’ve lined up these additions to the programme:
Low Tide River Wade in Deptford Creek
A guided adventure in Deptford Creek for adults and accompanied children ages 9+. Wade in a wild river and experience a different perspective of London history and urban wildlife. Led by an experienced conservationist we guarantee you some good, clean, muddy fun!
Lea Navigation Reedbed Boat Tours
Thames21 has been working to improve the River Lea for the last five years, to provide new reedbeds and great habitat for wildlife. Join them on board the ‘Alfred Le Roy’ for a relaxed trip on the river with commentary from their knowledgeable project officers.
A Plastic Ocean – Film Screening
Watch a new adventure documentary that brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. An international team go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine seas. Watch the trailer below.
Thames TideFest will be back in Chiswick for its fourth year on Sunday 10th September 2017. This hugely popular community event requires months of planning and co-ordination between charities, businesses and Thames boroughs. The team at Chiswick Buzz caught up with the organisers during their meeting at One Over The Ait pub to find out what the festival has to offer this year.
CLICK THE PICTURE TO GO TO THE VIDEO
For more about Thames Tidefest and the events that will make 10th September so special click HERE
The Thames Tideway Angling Championship has been a huge success in recent years with weights of 30lb plus winning the match and over 30 anglers competing. 2017 looks like being the biggest and best yet so get yourself booked in !
We will be fishing three zones this year; the gravel foreshore downstream of Kew Bridge on the north bank, and below Chiswick road bridge and Barnes railway bridge on the south, where there are large shoals of roach, dace and bream. Waders are essential and wading up to thigh depth is allowed within the confines of your peg. All species can be weighed in except eels. The use of an easily moveable platform or tripod is advised as you will be following the tide down. The details are below and further information will be circulated nearer the time. Good luck!
Date and Time: Sunday September 10th – Fishing 9.00 am – 2.00 pm (depending on tides)
Draw: 7.00 am Strand on the Green, Kew Bridge, London W4 3RE
Tides at Kew Bridge: High – 6.06 am. Low – 1.52 pm
THIS MATCH IS NOW SOLD OUT
For a round-up of last years event click the link below
Do you fancy a day out with the family with lots of different fun activities ?
Would you like to introduce a member of your family or a friend to fishing ?
Maybe you are a beginner or an existing angler looking to brush up on your skills ?
The get along to the Thames Water Family Fishing Day run in collaboration with Get Hooked on Fishing and The Angling Trust. All sessions are Free with fishing tackle provided and instruction from our friendly licensed coaches, plus loads of other activities for anglers and non anglers alike.
32 anglers fished at Barnes and Strand on The Green and despite hot sunny conditions and the presence of over 2000 people enjoying walks, paddleboarding, kayaking, river cruises or simply strolling along the towpath, the bream fed well.
There were three weights of over 30lbs with the winner, Martin Davies landing 46.11 of bream up to 8lbs plus from SoTG. Second with the top weight at Barnes was Ricky Tomala with 32.11 followed by Steve Edwards with 30.09 then Gordon Bullock with 20.8.
All in all it was a fantastic event that not only produced brilliant fishing, but also showcased the joys of fishing the tidal Thames to huge numbers of people.
The top four shared a £1000 pay out.
The event is sponsored by Tideway – formerly Thames Tideway Tunnel – and Thames Water and the match organised by the Angling Trust with support from Will Barnard, Angling development manger at TW
This years event was definitely the best Tidefest yet, with huge numbers of people getting involved, more events, more fun and lots of sunshine on the beautiful River Thames. Thankfully our friends at Chiswick Buzz were there to record the whole event and they have put together a fantastic video that really captures the joy and atmosphere of the day. Click the link below and have fun watching !
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury has announced that not only will she will be attending this Tidefest but that she plans to take to the water and have ago at kayaking.
Ruth Cadbury paddle boarding at TideFest 2015
Tidefest is annual event to celebrate the recreational importance of the Thames Tideway to Londoners. It is based at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and other locations along the tideway from 10am to 6pm and is a day packed with loads of great activities for all the family.
There’s paddleboarding, 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 much, much more.
No experience required ! Tidesfest provides an amazing opportunity for complete novices to find themselves afloat on the tidal Thames !
Ruth Cadbury 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 added:
“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.”
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.
There’s 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 also 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. Booking through the website at www.thamestidefest.net
Lot’s Ait Boatyard
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.”
Martin Salter at last year Tidefest
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
Martin Salter – (Angling Trust and organizer) 07976946033
Ian Tokelove – (London Wildlife Trust) 07834867420
Peter Hughes – (Edge Paddling) 07900 895237
Picture: Ruth Cadbury MP Paddleboarding on the Thames at last year’s TideFest
Photocall: 12 noon Sunday Sept 11th with Ruth Cadbury MP Kayaking from Kew Bridge with Edge Paddling
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.
