Latest newsWandle Fortnight 2017The annual celebration of the Wandle begins on Saturday 9th during Heritage Open Days and runs to World Rivers Day on Sunday 24th. Last year's programme included walks, talks, arts, open days, craft, nature, heritage, orienteering, cycling, trees, picnics, mud, songs and even the first Wandle Beer Festival.
Last year Wandle Fortnight gave many people the opportunity to explore and appreciate the history and natural resources of the River Wandle. It also gave organisations a platform for displaying the valuable work they are doing along the river. We are hoping that Wandle Fortnight 2017 will be be bigger and better than ever before. We would love to know what events and activities you are planning. If it is in the Wandle Valley, involves the community and takes place between 9th and 24th September then send us the details. We will give your events or activity publicity and add it to the programme. Download the simple Wandle Fortnight registration form. Small grants available - We are running a small grants programme to support local groups run events and activities during Wandle Fortnight. Grants of between £20 and £200 are available. Download the Wandle grants application form. 
Hackbridge bridges - Network Rail has demolished the Irrigation and 100 Acre bridges. This is despite over 1000 people signing our petition to save them.
We are determined to make sure this is only a setback for the ambitions to create a new Wandle Metropolitan Park stretching from Beddington Park to Mitcham. This vast area of open space - more than three times the size of Hyde Park - has never been coherently managed and much remains off limits. If the loss of the bridges can have a silver lining it is to reignite the momentum to deliver a new open space for London. The first green shoots are visible. Over 500 supported our petition for Sutton Council to back a replacement bridge. Sutton Council has said that "now is the time for action" and Sutton Council Leader Ruth Dombey has told Wandle Valley Forum that she is "glad to work together to find ways of providing pedestrian access. Important for the future of the park." Following a debate on the petition Sutton Council has agreed to work with us and local groups to find a way forward. As a first step one thing is certain - any sensible plans for future public access are going to need better access over the railway. Sutton Council is already building a new school right next to where a bridge will be needed. A next step is to include an enabling policy in the new Sutton Local Plan. Watch the destruction of the Hackbridge bridges in the short video below.
Wandle Valley Forum Charter launched
The Wandle Valley Forum Charter was launched at our Annual Meeting in April 2016. The Charter is grounded in the views of community groups, voluntary organisations and local businesses that support Wandle Valley Forum. The Charter:
Download and print the Wandle Valley Forum Charter here. |
Wandle Valley ForumWandle Valley Forum provides support and an independent voice for over 100 community groups & voluntary organisations and for everyone who shares a passion for the Wandle. Our campaigning was instrumental in establishing the Wandle Valley Regional Park and we are integral to its future development. Support us by offering your time or giving a donation.
Our priorities are set out in the Wandle Valley Forum Charter. Latest Wandle Bulletin | ||
