The Thames & Waterways Stakeholders” stand started out in the Blue Ribbon tent, next to the Wildlife Trust stand. They too moved out into the sunshine, promoting the re-introduction of water vole populations. I’m going to try seeing if they can’t bring some back into my basin – its over 10 years since I saw one. “Ratty” of Wind in the Willows was a water vole, it seems apposite to have them in such surroundings to complement our birdlife.Then there were the usual street performers adding a little levity to the scene:It seemed appropriate positioning to have Surfers Against Sewerage close by Thames Water, who were trying to interest prospective investors. I think the SAS were happier with this juxtapositioning than TW.Refreshments were never far off for those who had worked up a need:Also alongside us for the Saturday only, were Youth Rowing, who had two rowing machines set up side by side so kids could compete and see if they fancied joining the ranks of Britain’s future champions. Cllr Hibbs had joined us that afternoon, and plucked up the courage to ask whether she still qualified as a youth in order to have a go! She did, and earned herself a badge.Of course the events of the weekend extended far beyond the environs of City Hall, I just was unable to get to them. Hopefully there won’t be a clash with local events next year, and more Brentford people can get along. The concerns of the Thames connect all the riparian boroughs, and we need to understand just how connected we are with the rest of London, and indeed by reason of the canals, with the rest of the country. The waterways place us at the hub of an incredible inter-connected network of marine highways, we must learn to recognise and value this, and the ways we can improve them, - not simply seek to capitalise on them for static development.
Nigel Moore ● 6829d