Cutting and weaving branches on Chiswick Eyot
Save the tiny island from the invasive crabs!
Location
The drawdock, Chiswick LaneLondon
W4 2PJ
Date and time
10:00 - 13:00The Old Chiswick Protection Society is looking for volunteers to help with conservation work on Chiswick Eyot. The eyot (or ait) is one of about 180 of these tiny narrow islands in the River Thames, formed over time by the accumulation of sediment, which have become home to many different kinds of wildlife. Chiswick Eyot is a nature reserve and ancient withy bed where swans have nested and willow trees have grown for centuries.
Unfortunately the eyot is at risk from Chinese Mitten Crabs who have made their home in the mud, burrowing into the banks and creating complex, interconnected burrows. The consequences are potentially disastrous, as the crabs’ burrowing loosens the mud around the eyot, and when the tide flows in and out, the earth is washed away, steadily eroding the island over time.
The good news is that Thames21 received substantial donation to help the Old Chiswick Protection Society carry out conservation work which includes cutting branches from nearby Duke's meadow to to build defences. They are looking for volunteers to help cut the withy branches and weave them into fences to shore up the earth.
You will be playing a role in helping save an important part of Chiswick history! All tools will be provided but wellies are highly recommended as it is very muddy (there will be some spares available if you don't have any)! Please bring gardening gloves if you have them.
The point of contact on the day is Vic Richardon from Thames 21. Meet at 10am on the drawdock at the bottom of Chiswick Lane south. Be warned - it is very muddy!
How are you getting there?
Who's going
Discussion
Location
The drawdock, Chiswick LaneLondon
W4 2PJ
Date and time
10:00 - 13:00Walkable
As you will make your own way to the task, feel free to walk or run as you wish.
Ideal for beginners
The drawdock, Chiswick Lane
London
W4 2PJ
Led by Anastasia Hancock
Area Activator for Wandsworth and Hounslow. All things running. For fitness, fun, racing and to feel good - and for everybody!
What to look out for
Age Restriction
GoodGym welcomes anyone aged 18 or over. If you are under 18 then you will be unable to participate in any GoodGym activity
Make sure you've read our general guidelines for safety when running and at a task.
Hi I’m at the drawdock but can’t spot anyone? Will wait til 10:15 😀
Im here too, where are you?
I’m so sorry- I’ve just seen a message from the organisers saying the start time has changed to 11am because of the tides 🫣 I’m so sorry for the inconvenience
I was waiting at Chiswick Drawdock until 10:20 and then gave up and went for a coffee
@Anastasia oh right, that’s really annoying actually! I travelled 6 hours yesterday to visit family and could really have done with a longer lie in this Sunday morning.
So sorry, I just got the message. My apologies, I hope you can have a restful afternoon
Maybe next time GoodGym volunteers could be given the contact number for Vic at Thames 21 or Old Chiswick Protection Society if the GoodGym organiser isn’t coming along to the task? Also it’s worth noting The Drawdock on Chiswick Mall is not the shore with the Resourceful houseboat on it, it’s further along by St Nicolas’ Church. I was going back and forth between bottom of Chiswick Lane South and The Drawdock between 10 and 10:20 this morning. The GoodGym location pin fell between the 2, but Google maps has the drawdock as the actual dock that you can walk out on at Church St. I was asking walkers if they were with GoodGym and asked a guy who was standing at the very end of the drawdock if he was Vic!
The maps on the goodgym listings don’t show the location, the exact spot is described in the listing. Im
sorty you didn’t have a good experience today Lizzie, this is a regular task which has always worked well but unfortunately wasn’t as straightforward as usual today. Apologies again for the inconvenience, I hope you have a great afternoon and see you at a goodgym task soon.
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