Barnes Tidy Towpath Group

In October, we reached out to the public in an unusual way to highlight the scale of pollution in the Thames. Through the clever use of a faux fishmonger's stall, courtesy of our friends at Hubbub, we offered freshly caught local litter to passers-by. Our "gems from the Thames" were as varied as they were colorful. Our stall reinforced the PLA's important "Bin It for a Cleaner Thames" campaign.

Many people were also unaware of the combined sewage overflows that release untreated sewage (along with thousands of cotton bud sticks & sanitary products) into the Thames nearly every time it rains. We explained why the Tideway Tunnel (aka the Super Sewer) is vital for the Thames. We engaged with those enjoying the towpath, be they dog walkers, ramblers, cyclists or runners, to explain that only 3 P's go down the loo: pee, paper and poo. Everything else goes in the bin! This message is very simple, but will it be enough?

We also reached out further afield to help with the creation of Putney Tidy Towpath Group (Putneytt@outlook.com) which had its inaugural clean up early October. It is encouraging that so many people sincerely wish to do their bit for a cleaner Thames. We are thrilled as, owing to the tides, a riverside community is only as clean as its dirtiest neighbour!

You are welcome to participate in our next clean up - just check the "Upcoming Dates" tab on the website for details and to reserve a place, please email in advance to: barnestidytowpathgroup@gmail.com. Similarly, google Putney Tidy Towpath Group  for their dates and to reserve a place. 

Has anything changed during the two months since Barnes Tidy Towpath volunteers collected 1,000 plastic cups from Small Profit Dock during two hours in July?

On 19 September, we completed the annual Big Bottle Count to support Thames21 in gathering data for the #OneLess campaign. Volunteers collected plastic bottles from the same area, counted them and noted their brands. Additionally, we plucked all the plastic drinks cups we could from the same 1,500m2 patch of foreshore. Our tally showed 122 plastic bottles, dwarfed by 638 plastic cups.

Ok, it’s below 1,000 but remains shockingly high and a clear indication that behavioural modification is needed. Let’s be honest, most of us are lazy. The pubs and other establishments should not provide clients with single use plastic cups. Please support those who have switched to re-usable cups (e.g., The Blue Anchor) and ask those haven’t yet, to do so.

You are welcome to participate in our next clean up - just check the "Upcoming Dates" tab on the website for details and to reserve a place, please email in advance to: barnestidytowpathgroup@gmail.com. Similarly, contact Putney Tidy Towpath Group at Putneytt@outlook.com for their dates and to reserve a place.  You can keep up with progress made with the In The Drink scheme which encourages pubs and cruise boats to switch from single use plastic cups to re-usable ones.