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Thames Path Marks 30 Years with Epic Walking Relay
8 Jun
Summary
- A 185-mile walking relay celebrates the Thames Path's 30th anniversary.
- Hundreds of participants will traverse the path over 24 days.
- The event highlights community involvement and environmental concerns.
The Thames Path is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an extensive 185-mile walking relay. This commemorative trek commenced at the river's source near Kemble, Gloucestershire, and will span 24 days throughout June. Hundreds of participants, including ramblers and various community and river-user groups, are engaged in this endeavor. The relay is scheduled to conclude in Woolwich on June 28.
This multi-day event traverses seven counties, following the Thames through Oxfordshire and Berkshire before reaching London. Claire Jarrett, the Thames Path engagement officer at National Trails, highlighted the event as a celebration of the communities that interact with the trail. She also noted the persistent challenges in securing funding for the path's maintenance, largely relying on volunteer efforts.
The 30-year milestone for the Thames Path coincides with a heightened awareness of environmental issues. High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Dame Fiona Reynolds, linked the path's anniversary to a significant increase in environmental concern. However, challenges persist, with campaigners like Paul Flynn from the Blue Human Project expressing concerns about ongoing pollution, specifically sewage discharges, impacting the river's water quality as it flows towards the sea.
