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 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 cleanup - Sunday 13 January 

This cleanup is a re-visit to a stretch we did last January and which is in need of further attention - there is at least one trolley that needs pulling out!  We'll be meeting outside Mantle Court, Mapleton Road where it crosses the river, off Garratt Lane.  The manager of Mantle Court will kindly be allowing us access to the river via a gate opposite the residential home.  Please click here to see a map of the meeting point.

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 take a break for tea/coffee at about 1.30 (you might want to bring a snack or sandwiches) and work on until 3 when we'll help load the rubbish up on to the refuse truck. We'll then retire to the Leather Bottle on Garratt Lane for a warming drink or two.

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.

Cleanup dates for 2008

February 10 Sutton
March 9 Merton
April 13 Wandsworth
May 11 Sutton
June 8 Merton
July 13 Wandsworth
August 10 Sutton

 

Cleanup reports

To see the results of some of our past cleanups, please click here.