More than 60 volunteers take part in Thames Trade Clean-up Day at River Thames locks

More than 60 volunteers engaged in litter picks and tidying as they took part in a clean-up event between Bray Lock and Old Windsor Lock on the River Thames.

The Thames Trade Clean-up Day on Wednesday, April 9, was organised by John Harris, marina manager at MDL Marinas, after seeing issues such as litter around the river area highlighted online.

The team met at Bray Marina at 8.30am for a briefing and team photo before splitting into three groups to cover the three stretches of the river.

These included Bray Lock to Boveney Lock, Boveney Lock to Romney Lock and Romney Lock to Old Windsor Lock.

A total of 63 volunteers took part and teams were mainly split by areas around where participants’ organisations were already based.

Organisations covering the Bray Lock to Boveney Lock stretch included Bray Marina Sales, MDL Bray Marina, Racecourse Marina, Swan Lifeline and The Windsor Yacht Club.

The French Brothers Ltd, Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, The Boat Hire Company, the Thames Rivers Trust and DB Marine covered the area from Boveney Lock to Romney Lock.

The stretch between Romney Lock and Old Windsor Lock was covered by Kris Cruisers, MDL Windsor Marina, Tom Jones Boat Yard, Riverworks Piling Ltd, Runneymede Boat Yard and JD Riverside Construction.

Teams spent time litter picking on the towpath and using boats to access branches, reeds and fallen trees that were not accessible from the path.

Volunteers also tidied visitor moorings and cleaned signs, ready for boaters to use this season.

The Environment Agency (EA) were also involved in the event and patrolled all three stretches of the river, putting notices onto unlicensed vessels.

Members of Swan Lifeline checked on swans and fed them, while a group of volunteers also cut back overhanging branches.

The team collected more than five tons of rubbish.  

He added: “The day went better than I could have hoped for.

“Everyone involved admitted to having a great time, and everyone had an experience with a member of public walking past and thanking them for what they were doing.

“Everyone wants to do it again next year as well.”

The team is looking to hold another clean-up day next year.

John said he has already spoken with other trade companies across the River Thames who ‘also want to get involved’ and the aim is to ‘get as much of the Thames covered as possible’ next year.