River Summit gathering sheds more light on pollution crisis
More than 250 people assembled at Morden Hall to take part in a debate about one of capital’s hot topics of the moment – river pollution.
The UK River Summit and Festival, provided a platform for collaboration and communication on the current issues and solutions required to improve the health of our rivers.
Claire Zambuni, Founder of The River Summit and Festivals, said: “The doors may have closed on The UK River Summit 2024, but the conversations that have begun as a result of this event are open-ended.
“With such a diverse range of environmental stakeholders having stood together under one roof, on an independent platform, and in a engaging and unique atmosphere filled with creative expression, the trajectory for collaborative change on our rivers is clear.
“The UK River Summit brought together the stone throwers and there are definitely ripples of change in the water now.”
The event brought together environmentalists, policy makers, regulators, campaigners, anglers, media, businesses, politicians and members of the public who all share a desire to work towards a more positive future for our rivers.
Speakers ranged from Philip Duffy (chief executive for the Environment Agency), Lawrence Gosden (chief executive of Southern Water), Penny Gane (Head of Practice, Fish Legal), Feargal Sharkey (Activist, SERA Chairman), Jim Murray, Tim Farron (MP Liberal Democrat spokesman for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Toby Perkins (MP Labour and Shadow Minister for Nature and Rural Affairs), Katharine Foxhall (Green Party), and Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat Candidate for Carshalton and Wallington).
For the second year running, the event at Morden Hall Road was symbolically close to the River Wandle – a unique chalk stream flowing through a heavily urbanised area, which is one of the locations at the forefront of the fight against pollution.
Pictured top: Pop star turned activist Feargal Sharkey was among the guest speakers (Picture: Lucy Young)