Wishing a Happy Christmas to all our followers and good fortune in the year ahead. Thanks to your continuing support, we reached the amazing milestone of our 50th year in June. Long may our green spaces thrive - for Wildlife, for Wellbeing, for Everyone.

V proud of this one -- it was my final big project before I left @jim.londoncentric.media to join the FT in September, and Jenny's wonderful pics really bring the scandal to life in all its disgusting glory. Please do give it a read! www.londoncentric.media/p/misconnect...

This is a story about one property's pollution of London's waterways. But it's one of many. Experts say there could be 10,000s more cases across the capital, collectively dispatching “Middle Ages levels of sewage” into the Thames.

How is untreated sewage from this upmarket Crouch End street polluting a Tottenham park -- and threading its way via the Walthamstow Wetlands & Hackney Marshes to the Thames? In today's London Centric, my deep dive into a small cog in one of the capital’s worst sewage scandals: misconnections.

New investigation of London buildings flushing sewage straight into the rivers, by @jim.londoncentric.media. Follows up on the story from earlier this year. Finds “chronic, ongoing pollution” and two schools flushing sewage into the River Lea. www.londoncentric.media/p/misconnect...

West London looking anything but

Punchy editorial by Putney News on the proposed amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill being debated today. putney.news/2025/11/01/t...

We are urging peers to oppose an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which aims to remove long-standing public rights on green spaces when the land is sold by a local authority. The amendment will be debated in the House of Lords on Monday: bit.ly/4oGy2YQ

This is great news. @openspacessociety.bsky.social has been a champion of our Brent River Park for many years. We look forward to working with Kit to safeguard and enhance our paths and green spaces in Ealing. ealing.news/environment/...

This week is #FloodActionWeek. This report from Aviva highlights the increasing risk from both river and surface water flooding.

Properties discharging sewage directly into rivers is a nationwide problem. Here’s a story from Hampshire: “Multiple properties built in the 1980s were illegally plumbed into surface water drains.” www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/news/sewage-...

Watch our little film about the Brent, its beauty, and our battle to defend it from a host of man-made troubles. @thames21.bsky.social @friendsofthethames.bsky.social @brentriverpark.bsky.social @riveractionuk.bsky.social @thatvetsean.bsky.social

Short film by @brentpollution.bsky.social showing how nature miraculously survives amidst the despoilment of the River Brent. Both enraging and uplifting! youtu.be/PNRQGGjAtGI?...

Looking forward to sharing our punchy short film next Friday. @brentriverpark.bsky.social @riveractionuk.bsky.social @thames21.bsky.social

Piece in the London Standard n the 2,000+ properties discharging sewage straight into London’s rivers. Quotes from our trustee Ben Morris of @brentpollution.bsky.social. www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

The main causes of grass fires are cigarettes and portable barbecues. www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/grass... Report on Northolt fire by @ealingnews.bsky.social. ealing.news/news/fire-cr...

We recently reported that water regulators - including Ofwat - have failed to manage the rising tide of risk associated with the sector, which is facing significant environmental, supply and infrastructure challenges. Read our report 🚰⬇️ www.nao.org.uk/reports/regu...

As expected, government report recommends new water regulator. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Steve Toft of Brent River Park charity @brentriverpark.bsky.social, said: “It’s great news that Ealing Council @ealingcouncil.bsky.social has secured £1m of funding for the regional park.It comes at an opportune time, in the 50th anniversary year of the Brent River Park ealing.news/environment/...

Ealing Council @ealingcouncil.bsky.social has been awarded nearly £1 million to support its ambitious plans for a new regional park in the borough, as part of a nationwide initiative to bring nature into urban areas. ealing.news/environment/...

Great news that @ealingcouncil.bsky.social has secured £1m of funding for the regional park, as part of the Nature Towns and Cities initiative. We will continue to work with the council to protect and enhance our Urban Countryside in this part of London. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

We’re so excited for the #bigbutterflycount we’re starting a day early! 🦋☺️ Come join our FREE #WarrenFarmNR walk led by Naturalist Neil Anderson tomorrow by signing up here, happy butterfly spotting! 🌼🦋🌸👉🏼 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/warrenfarm... @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Here’s an excellent blog post about our 50th Anniversary celebrations including some of the history behind the creation of the Brent River Park. Thank you @campaignerkate.bsky.social

As it’s John Clare’s birthday, here’s his homage to long tailed tits or bum-barrels, from his poem “May”. Such a delightful dialect word! “Bum-barrels twit on bush and tree Scarse bigger then a bumble bee And in a white thorn’s leafy rest It builds its curious pudding-nest”

All the fun of our 50th Anniversary! Here’s more photos from last Sunday. If you came, we’d love to see any pics you’d like to share. The horse… the Morris dancers… Miss Maypole… the Bluebell ladies … weren’t they amazing?

Luke FitzHerbert’s wife Kay was very much a part of his campaign to create the Brent River Park 50 years ago so it was wonderful that she could be with us to share our celebrations… and some cake!

The moment the new information board in Churchfields, Hanwell, detailing the history of the Brent River Park, went live. With thanks to Mayor Anthony Kelly and Kabir Kaul for coming to do the big reveal and making our 50th Anniversary special.

Thank you to Leslie from @ealingnews.bsky.social for covering our 50th Anniversary celebration. Great lead photo of Mayor Cllr Anthony Kelly and our Special Adviser @kaulofthewilduk.bsky.social unveiling the new commemorative sign, with the help of two giant bluebells. ealing.news/environment/...

Good morning from Churchfields, W7. Our 50th Anniversary Celebration is about to get under way. Come on down. More details here: www.brentriverpark.org/event/brent-...

The marquees are going up in Churchfields, Hanwell. Our 50th Anniversary celebrations start at 12, talks, workshops, walks, crafts for sale, cake and lots of family fun. Come join the party

From Brentham Meadow to Boston Manor, there’s plenty of places to keep cool in the Brent River Park when the weather is sweltering . Did we mention it’s the park’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations tomorrow? Yes, I thought we did! Churchfields Recreation Ground, Hanwell 12 until 5pm.

According to the records, it was around 30 degrees on 29 July 1975. Even so, suits and ties were the order of the day. At tomorrow’s 50th anniversary, you will be welcome whatever you wear. Please come along and help us celebrate. Details here: www.brentriverpark.org/event/brent-...

According to the records, it was around 30 degrees on 29 July 1975. Even so, suits and ties were the order of the day. At tomorrow’s 50th anniversary, you will be welcome whatever you wear. Please come along and help us celebrate. Details here: www.brentriverpark.org/event/brent-...

There’s exciting events for all the family this Sunday 29th June at our 50th Anniversary Celebration on Churchfields Recreation Ground Hanwell. Here’s the link to a downloadable timetable bit.ly/3T6ib8j See you there!

This is a fascinating dive into the recent past and a lesson in how long litter stays around. My favourite is the Euro 96 ‘Salt & Lineker crisp packet. If you are in W7 this Sunday, come and see. Part of the @brentriverpark.bsky.social 50th anniversary www.brentriverpark.org/our-brent-ri...

As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations for the Brent River Park, I shall be holding a creative writing workshop, taking a sideways look at the stories rubbish can tell. Meet at the Bandstand in Churchfields, Hanwell at 1200, this Sunday 29th June. Bring writing materials.

In 1975, the opening of the Brent River Park was celebrated with Morris Dancing. 50 years later this chain of parks is the green heart of the borough, a wildlife corridor and a vital floodplain for the River Brent. Come to celebrate its first 50 years this Sunday, 29th June.

Just in case you’re planning a walk across from Jubilee Meadow to Warren Farm this week, the level crossing over the railway line will be closed this week so you need to enter Warren Farm via the Trumper’s Way crossing.

Lying on the ground in this photo from 1975 are a collection of way markers made for the new park, with the help of school children. We’d love to hear memories from anyone who helped create these signs or any other stories of those 1975 celebrations.

Luke FitzHerbert and Mayor John Johnston at the opening of the Brent River Park in 1975. 50 years later, we still have this amazing green corridor beside the Brent and the Grand Union Canal for Wildlife, for Wellbeing , for Everyone. Let’s celebrate!

Summer Solstice was at 0345 this morning. Team mate @songoftheowl.bsky.social was up early to catch the Midsummer sunrise at @warrenfarmnr.bsky.social With its wide skies, this is one of the best places in the Brent River Park to enjoy those dawn and sunset moments.

“A continuous area of beautiful and natural surroundings". 12 open spaces linked by a "network of footpaths, along the riverbank, threading between golf courses and playing fields.” Luke FitzHerbert's dream for the Brent River Park became a reality 50 years ago. Let's celebrate!

The article that launched the Brent River Park, written by our charity’s founder, Luke FitzHerbert. The campaign was successful and the park was formally inaugurated on 29 June 1975. Join us for our 50th anniversary celebration on 29 June. Details: www.brentriverpark.org/our-brent-ri...

Join us on 29 June to celebrate 50 years of the Brent River Park. www.brentriverpark.org/our-brent-ri...

🎤Join our East London photography walk as part of #londonriversweek2025. We will be teaming up with photographer Sylvie Belbouab to run a special photography workshop whilst walking the ‘Royal Wharf’ walk. 📅 Friday 20th June. 11am-12pm Register here: book.plinth.org.uk/e/quAsrWPdCp...

Brent Meadow to Top Locks has been voted Ealing’s favourite walk. With our 50th Anniversary coming up on 29th June, it's great to know how Luke FitzHerbert's vision in fighting to found this 7km green chain of parks is still appreciated. FitzHerbert Walk, part of this walk, is named for him.

Here's the map Luke FitzHerbert submitted with his proposal for the creation of the Brent River Park. Come and celebrate this leap of imagination at our 50th Anniversary at Churchfields Recreation Ground on 29th June from 12 until 5pm. Walks, talks, stalls, workshops and more!

There were lots of volunteers out doing @thames21.bsky.social Waterbliz testing on the River Brent and it tributaries. @brentpollution.bsky.social @brentriverpark.bsky.social Here are my filled water bottles in a cold bag, ready for #pollution testing from Boundary stream, Long Wood Ealing London.

Why we need to ensure that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes the changes that ensure housing works in harmony with nature. A healthy environment is vital to public wellbeing action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/171483/ac…