Michael Heath writes:
This last week had the team of regular Volunteer River Keepers on the Lower Cray at the Thames21 yard, sorting out the kit in the van, which was woefully untidy (even to by my standards), following a series of events.
On Wednesday 24th we returned the boat to the yard and were able to assess the Cray from Crayford Waterside Gardens to Barnes Cray (collecting Towpath rubbish and cans on the way). There is a disturbing amount of rubbish on the river bed along Footpath 106 downstream of the town centre. This needs attention soon, along with some rubbish trapped in a dipping willow. Ideal for a local community event and possibly the boat (see below).
Thursday was our weekly fixture for the Veolia Environment Trust River Enhancement project at Foots Cray Meadows, where we were joined by a team from the Bexleyheath Job Centre who were rapidly trained in the technique of fixing large wood pieces to the river bed to create marginal bank habitat.
North West Kent Countryside Partnership and Thames21 volunteers working on river habitat enhancements at Foots Cray Meadows.
The National Citizens Service event takes place at Foots Cray Meadows this Saturday.
Next week
The Veolia Environmental Trust River Cray Enhancement Project (with NWKCP, who are WWF Funded) continues on Wednesday 1st October at Foots Cray Meadows. Meet Leafield Lane DA14 5EB at 10am to 3pm bring a packed lunch.
On Thursday 2nd October subject to sufficient volunteers (at what is short notice), there will be a Cray River Project response to the above problem river bed rubbish problem. Meet at the Barnes Cray Depot 1030 (DA1 4NR). Please notify me if you can attend this and/or the Wednesday event. Help will also be wanted to tidy the van again!
Michael Heath, Cray Project Officer
T 020 7248 7171M / 07968 805 751E michael.heath@thames21.org.uk