On Saturday, The Green Londoner hosted its first-ever event along the Thames in Hammersmith— in partnership with Terra.do — bringing together over 35 participants, including families, local residents, and even a few four-legged companions. The afternoon combined environmental awareness with artistic exploration, offering a space for Londoners to reflect, create, and connect with the river that runs through their city.
With the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race just a day away, we came together to explore a more pressing question:
How clean is our river, really?
Our journey began with a slow, thoughtful walk westward along the Thames, leading us to the Leg O’ Mutton Reservoir — a hidden pocket of wildness in the city. As we walked, conversations flowed about biodiversity, the quiet decay of wood nourishing ecosystems, sightings of tufted ducks and ring-necked parakeets, and the uncertain fate of Hammersmith Bridge. Spring was all around us — and so was the river, winding through urban life with stories both seen and unseen.
By the time we returned to the riverside, it was time to get scientific. With a simple citizen science kit, we collected and tested a sample of river water — and the result was worrying but not unexpected: positive for bacteria, most likely E. coli. This moment grounded the day. Pollution here isn’t abstract — it’s measurable, visible, and urgent. We’re still awaiting full lab results and will share them soon.
While the science revealed the problem, the next part of the afternoon turned toward imagination and hope. Together with artist Naila Hazell, we created a temporary art trail using chalk and stencils — a colourful invitation for passers-by to stop, look, and think. One of the most powerful pieces was a banner that read:
“Water Pollution is Over — If You Want It” — a clear nod to Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s anti-war message, reimagined for the Thames.
As Naila guided volunteers of all ages, the trail came to life with swimming fish, scattered poetry, reflections from the public, and chalk-sketched conversations between generations. Onlookers paused, asked questions, and added their own thoughts to a shared circle on the banner — a visual reminder that clean water is everyone’s concern.
We ended the afternoon just a few steps away at Riverside Studios, where the energy carried into a buzzing pub quiz — themed entirely around water. From river wildlife and London’s lost streams to climate resilience and shocking pollution stats, teams competed for the top score (13/20!). It was fun, light-hearted, and deeply informative — and we’ll definitely be doing it again.
Why it matters
Water pollution isn’t just a technical issue. It’s a public health concern, a climate challenge, and a shared civic responsibility.
Events like this show that when science meets creativity, and when people meet each other with curiosity and care, change becomes not only possible — but joyful.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated, supported, volunteered, or donated. You made it all happen.
Special thanks to our sponsors: OurBike, Net Zero Cups, OMA Bikes, and Riverside Studios.
We’ve got more walks, workshops, and citizen science days coming soon — so stay connected and follow The Green Londoner to be part of the journey.
