Caring for the Medway: River Guardianship
About this Event
Caring for the Medway: A Day of River Guardianship
Part of the River Medway Pilgrimage
📅 Thursday 23 July | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Near Maidstone Bridge, Kent
📌 Meeting Point (What3Words): awards.shell.minus
About This Event
What does it mean to be a guardian of a river?
The River Medway has shaped the landscapes, wildlife, communities and histories of Kent for centuries. Yet like many rivers across the UK, it faces growing pressures from pollution, habitat loss, climate change and increasing demands on its waters.
This special day invites people of all ages to come together to deepen their relationship with the River Medway and explore what river guardianship can look like in practice. Through ceremony, learning, creative activities and direct action, we'll discover how communities can play an active role in caring for the health and future of the river.
Whether you're a local resident, walker, nature lover, family, environmental volunteer, artist, paddler or simply curious about the river, you'll be welcomed into a day of connection, reflection and collective stewardship.
As part of the wider River Medway Pilgrimage, this gathering combines practical conservation with opportunities to slow down, listen to the river and celebrate its importance to both people and wildlife.
What to Expect
Throughout the day, you'll have opportunities to:
🌊 Explore what river guardianship means and how communities can support healthy waterways
🧤 Take practical action to improve the river environment through litter picking
🔬 Learn how citizen science helps monitor river health and informs environmental protection
🛶 Build simple rafts from natural and recycled materials, encouraging creativity and connection with the water
🚶 Experience the river corridor on foot, noticing its wildlife, history and changing landscapes
🤝 Meet like-minded people who care about the future of the River Medway
👨👩👧👦 Enjoy activities that are welcoming and suitable for families, individuals and community groups
Schedule
💧 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Water Ceremony
We'll begin the day by gathering beside the river for a participatory water ceremony. This reflective and inclusive session offers a chance to acknowledge the importance of the Medway, share gratitude for the life it supports, and set intentions for the day ahead.
Drawing on traditions of respecting and caring for waterways, the ceremony invites us to consider our responsibilities as river guardians and our connection to the wider living landscape.
No prior experience is needed; simply come with curiosity and an open mind.
🧤 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Community Litter Pick
Caring for rivers starts with practical action.
Working together along the river corridor, we'll remove litter and waste that can harm wildlife, degrade habitats and eventually enter the wider water system. Along the way, we'll discuss some of the challenges facing rivers today and how local action contributes to wider environmental change.
Equipment will be provided where possible.
This activity offers a tangible way to make a positive difference while spending time outdoors with others who care about the Medway.
🔬 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Introduction to Citizen Science
Healthy rivers depend on good information.
This short introduction will explore how local communities can contribute to monitoring river health through citizen science. You'll learn about simple observation and recording techniques that help build a better understanding of water quality, biodiversity and environmental change.
Citizen science empowers people to become active participants in protecting their local waterways and plays an increasingly important role in river conservation efforts across the UK.
🥪 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Bring-Your-Own Lunch
Take time to relax, eat and connect with fellow participants before getting creative with a hands-on raft-making activity. Please bring your own lunch and refreshments.
🛶 3:00 PM | & Raft-Making and Dreams for the River
Using natural and reclaimed materials, we'll create small rafts inspired by the river environment. This playful and imaginative session encourages participants of all ages to think about how people have travelled, traded and connected along waterways throughout history. We will also use the rafts to plant dreams for the river.
Children and adults are equally welcome to join in.
🚶 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Guided Walk from Maidstone to Aylesford
We'll end the day with a guided walk following the River Medway from Maidstone to Aylesford. Along the route, we'll explore the river's ecology, history and cultural significance, while observing the habitats, species and landscapes that depend on its waters. The walk offers an opportunity to reflect on the day's themes of stewardship and guardianship while experiencing the river from a new perspective.
Participants can return via public transport from Aylesford at the end of the walk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accessibility
The route follows an accessible path with step-free access where possible. If you have specific access requirements, please contact the organisers in advance so we can support your participation.
Cost
Free event
Find Out More
Website: www.formedway.org | Instagram: @formedway.org | Email: [email protected]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning, action, creativity and connection in celebration of the River Medway. Together, we can explore what it means to become guardians of the river and the wider living landscape it sustains.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
