Help clean up the River Wandle
The water in the River Wandle is now some of the cleanest in London, but the river has been treated as a flowing dustbin for at least the last 150 years. Unfortunately, many people still use it as a place to dispose of things they don’t want.
That’s why we hold regular community cleanups at different points up and down the river, at 11.00am on the second Sunday of every month, to improve the environment for birds, fish, insects and local people.
Everyone involved is a volunteer, and we usually remove at least 2 skips of rubbish within about 3 hours, before enjoying a well-earned drink at the nearest pub. We can supply a limited number of waders, plus protective gloves, but please bring your own wellies if you have them.
To join our email list for regular information about our cleanups, please click here
Next regular cleanup - Sunday 13 July
For this cleanup in Wandsworth we're going to try to clean the river on either side of two footbridges in King George's Park. The first footbridge is at the end of Lydden Road and the second further upstream at the end of Wandle Way. The river through King George's Park is deep and so this is a cleanup for all you macho types and you should only get into the river if you are confident and comfortable doing so. Support will be needed on the banks to help lift the rubbish out of the river and transport it to the dumping sites. There is no litter picking to be done. This cleanup is not suitable for children under the age of 16. We will be meeting on the footbridge at the end of Lydden Road - click here for a map of the location. Please bring waders if you have them otherwise, we can supply a limited number, as well as gloves, grapples, and litter pickers. Strong boots, trainers or wellies are recommended for those who will be on the banks and please wear old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
If you can, please arrive at 11 o'clock for our health and safety briefing. If you arrive later than that, don't worry, and please just make yourself known to one of us in the high viz vests. We will work until 2.30 when we will load the refuse vehicle with the rubbish at Wandle Way and then go back up to Lydden Road to load up the rubbish from there. Once the vehicle has been loaded, all our volunteers will be very welcome to join us for a picnic in King George's Park. Food and soft drinks will be provided, but if you wish to drink something stronger please bring it yourself.
Please email erica.evans@wandletrust.org if you are planning to attend the picnic so that Erica has an idea of the number that need to be catered for.
Extra cleanup for Take Part, Take Pride - Saturday 12 July, 2 to 4 pm
In contrast to the cleanup on Sunday 13 July, this is one for the kids! For details please click here.
If you live in Sutton you may have seen our February cleanup featured on the front page of Sutton Scene.
Cleanup dates for 2008
August 10 Sutton
September 14 Merton
October 12 Wandsworth
November 9 Sutton
December 14 Merton
Cleanup reports
To see the results of some of our past cleanups, please click here.