Thames Water gears up for Tidefest

Thames Water volunteers are preparing to welcome visitors to Thames Tidefest 2020.  

The annual festival, which is sponsored by Thames Water, celebrates the recreational importance of the Tidal Thames to Londoners and encourages people to try activities and sports it has to offer.

Taking place on Sunday September 6 at Strand on the Green, Chiswick, pre-booked activities on offer include foreshore walks, river dipping, paddleboarding and sailing. The festival also hosts London’s biggest angling competition and visitors can book guided trips by kayak to the historical Oliver’s Island near Kew. 

Thames Water has been involved in the festival since it started in 2014 and volunteers from the company attend each year to help manage the activities and information stalls. 

The company supplies essential water and wastewater services to 15 million customers and has invested in new technologies and the Tideway super sewer to help improve the Thames for its customers. 

Rosemary Waugh, Thames Water’s corporate responsibility manager, said: “Each year I look forward to Tidefest and seeing so many people and families trying out a new sport or discovering the wildlife that calls the Thames its home. We care about the communities and the environment we work in and being a part of Tidefest is a fantastic way to give back to the communities we serve. 

“It’s important our customers are able to safely enjoy the River Thames and we’re investing in our people and the best technology to keep upgrading our network so it can meet the needs of customers and the environment for years to come.” 

Martin Salter, chair of Thames Tidefest 2020, said: “Thames Water’s continued support for Tidefest has been much appreciated and has ensured that people can enjoy a wide range of river based activities at an affordable price. Tidefest really does help Londoners reconnect with their river and hopefully leads to more people wanting to protect these fabulous natural assets.”

Thames Water has more than 100 sites open to the community - including Walthamstow Wetlands - runs five nature reserves and two recreational fisheries as well as supporting a further 22 in partnership with environmental groups such as Wildlife Trusts.

This year Thames Tidefest has been scaled back in order to comply with the government’s coronavirus regulations.  More information about Thames Tidefest, the free and paid-for activities on offer and information on how to book them can be viewed here: https://thamestidefest.net/