Into week two and following a useful chat with some of the staff I feel a bit more focussed on what I will be doing during my time in the office. It would be easy to continue with what I was doing on-and-off last year – i.e. supporting clean-up events and odd jobs here and there ‘in the field’ but I also need my desk time to be working towards something tangible as well.
My initial thought was to try to get new community groups or individuals on board to do clean-ups, vegetation clearance or guided walks but while we decided this would be worth pursuing we thought it might be easier within my 2 months to try to re-establish contact with people that we have worked with before, but perhaps not for a while. So my job will be re-building some bridges (excuse the river pun) with people who are familiar to us but perhaps not feeling the Thames21 love at the moment.
Yesterday morning was spent searching out new sites in East London where up-coming corporate groups can do some work. We found some potential canal-side areas in need of some Thames21 loving, took some pictures and had a look at the ‘View Tube’ which is a lime green educational centre overlooking the new Olympics site. Of course the Olympics is having a big impact on the area and a lot of our work in East London and the Lea Valley is being focussed towards general improvements ahead of the Games.
An ongoing problem near Three Mills, Bow
Former project site that needs a re-visit!
Today, less excitingly, I helped shift a dead Transit van from the garage to the ‘Bat Cave’ in Bermondsey (Thames21’s storage lock-up – it’s a bit like Phil’s garage in Eastenders but instead of a 1983 Austin Allegro it’s full of boots and gloves.) This definitely needs some TLC to get it going again. Or a trip to the scrapyard…
Oh and apparently I have a piece in the Kilburn Times this week. Yes sir. Well its not just about me – it’s a joint piece with a fellow winner who apparently lives just down the road.
And a final newsflash – a seal has been regularly spotted lounging on one of Thames21’s floating nesting platforms in St. Saviour’s Dock near Tower Bridge this week! Not really what they were designed for (!) but a good sign nonetheless.
Good stuff! Not heard of this chairty before… I know it’s not the focus of your work, but have to admit I’m curious to hear more about the seal sightings! Also, you’ve managed to shame me into action re. my own WOD blog, which lies shamefully neglected at present due to first week over-excitement!
hi Katrina
Yes its high time you started your blog! I’ll keep you updated on any more seal news!
We’re also trying to organise a get-together of London WOD people on 4 Feb so it would be good to meet you if you are around
Ben
Hi Ben,
we have met in London – you might remember the RSPB “girl” from Suffolk in front of you in the sessions? Interesting blog. Your river world seems to be very different to my River Alde here.
Hadn’t thought you have seals down there. Any exiting bird sightings as well? ;~)
All the best, Monika
hi Monika
Good work on the RSPB stuff – I used to be a member and should really re-join! Still remember most of the UK species though and may be able to use it at Thames21 at some point – perhaps on some of the guided walks we do.
Haven’t seen anything too rare down here but I have seen Mandarin ducks and Teal on the Thames in West London lately and we had a Kingfisher in the dock at Putney that we were working on last year…
Keep up the good work!
Ben
Hi Ben,
good to hear about the kingfisher – means not everything is so dirty there at yours because they are quite picky in the choice of their habitat.
And – I can only support your RSPB re-joining thoughts. BUT: then PLEASE do it with me! You know too well how urgent all Charities need support at the moment, and it’s not different for the RSPB.
Thanks to this placement, I create the design for an unusual RSPB exhibition (to get a wider range of people interested in birds – hopefully), but without any funding for the final printing at the moment.
Every new member I personally recruit – additionally to my design project – will count internally as a certain worth for my project and secures that the whole thing is printed in the end …
Therefore, let me know when I can send you the membership form ;~) and of course everyone else who is touched by reading this is more then wellcome to contact me as well!
And – as you will still remember there are some good reasons for you as well to join: free entry into all our amazing RSPB reserves, our interesting magazin, one of our books to choose from … and a good feeling about being one of a million voices for nature!
Hope to see you again – and not only to persuade you about the membership ;~)
Monika