Celebrate World Rivers Day in South Oxfordshire

People in South Oxfordshire are being encouraged to join in World Rivers Day on Sunday 27 September. 

The day is a celebration of the world’s waterways, highlighting the many values of rivers, increasing public awareness and encouraging us to take better care of them. 

There are many types of activities you can get involved with for World Rivers Day, from simply taking a walk or paddle along the river with your family or friends to joining a clean-up of the riverbanks in your local area.  You can even organise an event yourself and encourage people to take part – but whatever you choose to do, please ensure you follow the current ‘Rule of Six’ social distancing limit! 

For more information about World Rivers Day and for details on how to get involved visit worldriversday.com. 

The event is of particular significance in South Oxfordshire where new Thames Champion, Cllr Jo Robb, is leading a programme aimed at working with river users, councillors and neighbouring councils to improve access to, and protect and enhance the biodiversity and cleanliness of, the river, including working together to stop raw sewage from being dumped in the River Thames and its tributaries. 

Cllr Jo Robb, South Oxfordshire Thames Champion, said: “The River Thames and its tributaries form a really special part of the South Oxfordshire landscape and environment and I think it’s important that we celebrate their the part they play in our community on World Rivers Day.” 

“The day will be will be a great opportunity not only to spend time by the river or to organise events such as a waterway or bank clean-up, but also for us to reflect how we use our rivers and how we can better protect this incredible resource.” 

“Whatever you choose to do on World Rivers Day please ensure you do it safely and follow the current ‘Rule of Six’ social distancing guidelines.” 

World Rivers Day takes place during the period when people across the Thames Valley will be involved in testing the water quality of the River Thames during Earth Watch’s Autumn Thames Waterblitz event.  The testing will help people to better understand what is going on in our rivers by demonstrating how healthy, or unhealthy, they really are. The data collected during the WaterBlitz will be used to identify clean waters, to pinpoint pollution hotspots, and to help inform where, who, when and how remedial actions should be taken.  For more information about the WaterBlitz visit earthwatch.org.uk/waterblitz