Talk of the Thames

In this special Talk of the Thames episode for World Eel Day, presenter Chloe Russell is joined by Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group, to uncover one of the most extraordinary and mysterious stories in the natural world — the life cycle and survival of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

🧭 From diving deeper than nuclear submarines to travelling 7,000km without eating, eels have a life journey unlike any other.

🐍 ...

This episode is the second in our new panel discussion series People of the Thames on Talk of the Thames, where we explore how different communities work, create, and engage with the river. Hosted by Chloe Russell, this series brings together experts, storytellers, and practitioners whose lives and work are directly tied to the Thames.

In this panel, recorded aboard the working Theatreship in Canary Wharf, we explore the rich cultur...

This episode marks the launch of a new panel discussion series People of the Thames on Talk of the Thames, where we explore how different communities work, create, and engage with the river. Hosted by Chloe Russell, this series brings together experts, storytellers, and practitioners whose lives and work are directly tied to the Thames.

Episode 1: People of the Thames: Working on the River
In this first panel, we dive into the w...

Welcome to a special episode of Talk of Thames with your host, Chloe Russell. This week, we're taking you on an exclusive boat trip along the iconic River Thames, recorded live during the Totally Thames Festival 2023. Join our expert guides—Amy Pryor, Technical Director of Thames Estuary Partnership, Fisheries Expert Steve Colclough, and Thames Archaeologist Fiona Haughey—as they delve into the rich biodiversity, fascinating h...

Welcome back to the second part of our captivating journey beneath the surface of the Thames Estuary. In this episode, we're joined by a true guardian of these waters, Steve Colclough, Fisheries Scientist and Chair of the Estuarine & Marine Specialist Section at the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM). We've moved our discussion from the riverbank to the riverside at Battersea Reach, where Steve provides invaluabl...

Welcome to the first part of our exhilarating journey, as we delve into the thriving underwater world beneath the Thames Estuary. Our adventure begins at Battersea Reach, just east of the River Wandle's mouth, where TEP's Data and Training Manager Wanda Bodnar guides us through the essential work being carried out in this unique estuarine environment.

We start by uncovering the significance of Estuary Edges, an innovative ...

Welcome back to another episode of Talk of the Thames. In this episode, we dive into the captivating world of sustainable living and explore ideas that can improve lives and inspire action with renowned environmentalist and author, Dr. Jules Pretty. 

​​In an era marked by interconnected crises of climate change, inequality, biodiversity loss and food-related health issues, Jules Pretty presents a compelling vision for reversing thes...

Welcome back to a truly immersive episode of "Talk of the Thames"! On this special occasion of World Ocean Day, join us on a captivating journey along the River Thames, as we explore the beauty and wonder of London from the perspective of a paddleboarder. To achieve the full benefit of this immersive episode, we highly recommend listening to this episode with headphones on, in a quiet place.

Our paddleboarder, Wa...

In this episode of Talk of the Thames, Sustainability Director Richard Aylard discusses his journey, the Thames Tideway Tunnel project and Thames Water's global efforts to combat climate change.

Welcome back to another episode of Talk of the Thames where we are thrilled to have Richard Aylard, the Sustainability Director at Thames Water, as our special guest.  In this interview, we will be discussing Richard's jo...

Back after a short break, we bring Giles Tofield to the stage to talk to us about his work at The Cultural Engine. In this episode we explore what projects The Cultural Engine have worked on, including the North Thames Fisheries Local Action Group (NTFLAG) programme which TEP was involved in; what the future has in store; and the value of storytelling within community and local economy led projects.

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What is the Blue Connections project? In todays episode we're joined by our Technical Director Amy Pryor, Data and Training Manager Wanda Bodnar, and Learning and Engagement Manager Yomi Odunlami, who are leading the project. Find out how and why Blue Connections arose within Thames Estuary Partnership and how they plan to unveil the project to new participants. 

To find out more information about Blue Connections ple...

Come and join us for an immersive guided walk around the Greenwich Peninsula as we explore the lesser-known environmental past and present of London's famous river.

Your guides are Thames Estuary Partnership's Data & Training Manager Wanda Bodnar and Technical Director Amy Pryor.

This episode was recorded on 17th September on our 'A short intro to the Thames Estuary - guided walk' event as part of th...

Have you noticed people on the foreshore of the River Thames with their heads down searching for something? Have you ever wondered what they could possibly find? In this episode we address what this activity is - it is none other than mudlarking! And we have none other than River Thames mudlarking enthusiast Lara Maiklem telling us about all things mudlarking.

Lara is a British author, editor and publishing consultant kno...

Join us for another exciting episode of Talk of The Thames where we chat with Kelly Sporn, Sustainability Lawyer and  Post Graduate Student at Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership. In this conversation we learn about what Kelly gets up to as a Sustainability Lawyer, how she became interested in the field, and the challenges she and other Sustainability Lawyers face. We also learn about the exciting and prestigious Maste...

Have you heard of the term 'blue mind'? Perhaps it's something you are all too familiar with unconsciously, and never thought about before. Do you enjoy being in, around, near, or under water? There is ample amount of research telling us why that could be the case. Join us as we speak with Author Dr. Wallace J Nichols about his research of why being around water makes us happier and more connected. 

Find out...

Join us for a special episode released on World Fish Migration Day about The Thames Catchment Community Eels Project. We are joined by six organisations in total, Thames Rivers Trust who led the project, Action for the River Kennet, South East Rivers Trust, Thames21, Zoological Society of London and Thames Estuary Partnership. 

This huge collaboration was driven to aid the long-term survival of the European eel. The result of this t...

On today’s episode we’re joined by Jesse Seaward, Partner at Band Agency and Ollie Jackson, Co-Founder of 100 Tons of Plastic and son of ex-fisherman Merlin Jackson, as they discuss their recent project of promoting a local fish species as part of Fish Local. This discussion includes all the project’s processes including the selection process, finding the most sustainable and highest yield species, finding the fitting name the &apo...

Join us as celebrate the successes of Thames Estuary Partnership's Executive Director Heather Hilburn, as she has been awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects Honorary Fellowships Award 2022. 

"This award is given to individuals who are recognised for outstanding achievements and thought leadership in the natural and built environments, including urban regeneration, culture, design, learning and engagem...

What lives in the Thames? From the things we can see like seals and crabs to the invisible elements like oxygen and nitrate. Find out why the Thames has that signature brown colour and why it is actually a good thing! This episode is all about the recently published State of the Thames Report 2021 by the Zoological Society of London and we are greeted with the lovely and knowledgeable Alison Debney, ZSL's Senior Conservation P...