WI supports campaign against pollution of our rivers

MEMBERS of Goring Women’s Institute took part in an action day to highlight the pollution of Britain’s rivers.

About 25 people joined the women at their stall in The Arcade in Goring on Saturday to raise awareness of the National Federation of WIs’ Clean Rivers campaign run in conjunction with the charity River Action UK.

They held up posters and encouraged passers-by to sign a petition calling on the Government to commit to actions for healthy rivers by 2030.

They also promoted a campaign by Thames21 for stretches of the river in Wallingford and Henley to be given designated bathing water status. This would mean that the Environment Agency would have to monitor the water quality from May to September each year and publish the results.

Thames Water would be legally required to treat waste outflows to a much higher standard, making the river safer for swimmers, rowers and boaters. The WI event included interactive learning materials and a QR code used to show support for the Wallingford application.

Children were entertained with free colouring sheets and a name the otter competition.

Emma Horwill, a WI member, said: “We had a brilliant turnout. The water quality in our rivers is shameful. We are doing what the WI does best, rolling our sleeves up and taking action.

“We want to see an end to pollution of our rivers for our health and wellbeing and the environment and to safeguard them for the future.”