River clean-up after regatta

A PINK striped cowboy hat and Prada shoe were among the items collected by volunteers who carried out a clean-up of the River Thames in Henley after the royal regatta.

About 30 people took part in the operation using paddleboards to cover the stretch of water from Leander Club to Upper Thames Rowing Club on the Berkshire bank, returning along the Bucks bank past Phyllis Court Club.

They were led by environmental campaigner Lynne Lambourne and former GB rower Greg Searle and included staff, students and parents from Shiplake College and the Oratory School in Woodcote — and a dog called Flip.

They worked in pairs, one paddling and the other litter-picking, which was made more challenging by the wind and a spell of rain.

After about an hour on the water, they returned with 10 recycling boxes filled with rubbish including water bottles, pieces of plastic and a bamboo food plate.

Searle, who is a regatta steward, said: “As an organisation, we have made sustainability a core part of our mission. We’re a large event and we acknowledge that it’s our job to take responsibility for the clean-up on and off the water.

“We are always keen to lead the way as an event, establish good habits and inspire them in others.

“The clean-up is an example of real Henley spirit. The river is central to the origin and life of Henley and as a regatta and a town we want to look after it.

“As stewards, we want to encourage young people and everyone to be aware of the ecological consequences of events like this. It’s all about choices and making decisions about both consumption and waste disposal.”

Ms Lambourne, from Peppard, who founded Warriors on Waste, said: “Considering we have just had such a large event, with hundreds of thousands of people over six days, there was only a small amount of plastic pollution.

“Sadly, as usual, the main polluter was the single-use plastic, particularly water bottles and cups.

“However, in general it would suggest spectators are using the bins and the waste removal services are working.

“Small actions make a big difference. Clean-ups help reduce plastic pollution but they also help us monitor the state of the river and see the type of waste which companies could do better with in their sustainable packaging and waste disposal.

“I’m really grateful for everyone coming, It was a big team effort.” Among the participants was Ally Mitchell, of Ocean Plastic Pots, which creates plant pots out of industrial fishing waste and made a special one for Ms Lambourne’s garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

He said: “It has been inspiring to be part of this river clean-up and meet so many people who care about the river.

“Eighty per cent of all marine pollution is plastic and working as a deep sea diver, I have seen first-hand the devastating effects that plastic pollution is having on the seas around Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“We all need to understand the impact of plastic on our rivers and oceans, how to reduce its use in the first place and how to make any waste part of the circular economy.

“The best thing about events like this is the children being involved. It is about raising awareness and focusing on making better lifestyle choices. Children are our future.”

Felix Collar, 15, a student at Shiplake College, said: “It’s good to keep this stretch of river clean, it’s important for the environment.”

Jack Burrows, head of the school’s eco committee said: “It shouldn’t need volunteers, it should be part of the event planning.” Kat Green, director of external relations at the independent school, said: “So many people enjoy the regatta and rowing that litter is an inevitable consequence.

“We are so proud of the students who volunteered to help. It has been inspiring for them and hopefully they’ll inspire others.”

Tara Bignell, 14, from Nettlebed, who was volunteering for her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “The river is Henley’s biggest feature. Living here and using it, we should all do something to look after it.”

In a statement, the regatta said: “The river clean-up is part of Henley Royal Regatta’s commitment to preserving the natural environment and biodiversity of its home river but also recognition of the need to protect the rivers and oceans that connect the whole rowing community and wider society.

“One of the themes of this year’s clean-up was how pollution starts in our rivers and ends up in the ocean.”

The volunteers were equipped with paddleboards provided by Go with the Flo while the litter pickers and recycling boxes were provided by Ms Lambourne.