Lee valley HYDROCITIZENSHIP
  • HOME
  • HYDROCITIZENSHIP
    • Team
    • Partners and Community
  • NEWS
  • MAPS
  • GALLERY
  • DOCUMENTS AND OUTPUTS
    • Talks and Conferences
    • Publications
    • Events/Festivals and Meetings
    • Cultural Mapping/GIS Participation
    • Stakeholder Interviews
    • Surveys
    • Maps
    • Active Energy - Water Wheel at Three Mills
    • Walking Narratives of River Lee
    • Water and Sediment Sampling
    • Other Documents

Walthamstow Wetlands Volunteer Roadshow  

3/18/2016

0 Comments

 
​As part of our on-going collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust at Walthamstow Wetlands (http://www.walthamstow-wetlands.org.uk/) the Hydrocitizenship team helped out at their Volunteer Roadshow (12th March 2016).
​
It was a really positive day of learning and sharing ideas with the morning involving working with members of the existing community engagement volunteer team to run our interactive research training session. In the afternoon we ran a participatory cultural mapping stall to capture the views of the many prospective volunteers that came along to find out about the project and how they could get involved.
Understanding why current and potential visitors use and value the site is really important to a project like Walthamstow Wetlands and the volunteers will be key to collating that data.  Part of that research process involves the volunteers developing a set of basic research skills around the purpose, approach, ethics, good practice and logistics of visitor surveying. To help build these skills our training session involved a range of interactive exercises including research simulation through role-play. The team got the chance to test out their new skills on Sunday when following a guided walk of the wetlands we worked as a combined research team to survey the visitors. Rachel Smith, Walthamstow Wetlands Engagement Officer, had lovely things to say about our contribution! ‘It is a pleasure to work with the Hydrocitizenship team who contributed hugely to the days’ success through research technique training and cultural mapping with the volunteers’.
Picture
Hydrocitizenship interactive research training session with LWT community engagement officer and volunteers.
0 Comments

New Active Energy turbine planned for the Lower Lea

2/9/2016

0 Comments

 
Through dialogue with Love the Lea/Thames21 the idea has developed to launch the Big Lottery-funded Active Energy Project in Bow, where the outflow from part of the Three Mills heritage site will be utilized to drive a small turbine. This will in turn power an aerator that will help oxygenate the water to counteract the effects of pollution and support the survival of fish. This is a continuing collaboration with The Geezers (Age Concern, Bow) and other partners including Love the Lea/T21 and the House Mill. The project will be led by Dr. Loraine Leeson

​Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship will be engaging with local schools and communities around to bring awareness to the project.

Launch: National Mills Weekend, 14-15 May 2016

More detail: http://www.active-energy-london.org/

Picture
0 Comments

Hydrocitizens at the Woodberry Down WinterFest

12/14/2015

1 Comment

 
​The Redmond Community Centre, Woodberry Down, hosted the WinterFest on Wednesday, 9 December between 4-8pm which included free buffet, music, exhibitions and stalls of different organisations working/interested in the area. The festival run by the Woodberry Down Community Organisation (WDCO), supported by Heritage Lottery funding and attracted over 400 local residents and community members in the neighbourhood. Lee Valley-Hydrocitizenship team hosted a cultural mapping stall during the festival. The results of the study will be published in our website soon. 
The Hydrocitizenship project has also been published in December Woodberry Down News inviting locals to share their experience and views on water spaces around Woodberry Down. 
​
Picture
1 Comment

London Legacies Group Seminar on Hydrocitizenship

11/15/2015

 
Prof. Graeme Evans and Dr. Ozlem Edizel will be presenting 'Hydrocitizenship: Connecting Communities in the Lower Lee Valley' at the next London Legacies Group Seminar on the 25th November 2015, 5.30 - 7.30 at London Legacy Development Corporation (Level 10 / 1 Stratford Place, Montfichet Road London E20 1EJ)

Enquiries to johnfranklinlock@gmail.com

RSVP to troyscott@londonlegacy.co.uk


Hydrocitizenship: Connecting Communities in the Lower Lee Valley​

The Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship project focuses on London’s ‘second river’ and regional park, stretching from the home counties north of London to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and major regeneration sites. This 3 year AHRC-funded project aims to investigate and make creative contributions to the ways in which citizens and communities live with each other and their environment in relation to water, in a range of sites (as well as the Lee Valley, in Bristol, Borth/Wales and Bradford/Shipley). 

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is presented to Londoners as an urban and environmental asset and legacy following the 2012 Games. The Park is located in the middle of a rich urban and environmental history. There is an open space floodplain to the north of the Park, defined by Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes, and further north, the ecological wildlife area of Walthamstow Wetlands, while the Lower Lea Valley represents an established and developing industrial zone with a legacy of manufacturing and water engineering structures ranging from the 18th century tidal mill at Three Mills to the Trinity Buoy Wharf lighthouse. Around Bow, Hackney Wick and Fish Island there are a high concentration of artists and creative industries firms under pressure from further land use development, whilst the waterways now host a growing boat dweller population. This area, post the London 2012 Olympics, is set to increase in population fourfold as new urban villages are built and new communities are established over the next 10-15 years.

Following a detailed scoping of the Lee Valley landscape and governance, this work has involved engagement with local communities and stakeholders, using cultural mapping, observation, surveys and events/festivals, with water-based ‘citizen science’ initiatives and community-environment orientated art works planned as part of a critical reflection on the nature of ‘hydro’ citizenship when they re-imagined from an ecological perspective. The seminar will present our findings to date and proposals for further engagement.

More information on the project is available at: www.leevalley.org and www.hydrocitizenship.com

Launch of the Lambeth Floating Marsh

9/21/2015

0 Comments

 
Lambeth Floating Marsh is an art/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and biophysical chemist Nithin Rai,with support from University of Westminster’s Faculty of Science and Technology.

 
On the evening of 15th September 2015, Lambeth Floating Marsh was opened by Professor Geoff Petts, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster. Loraine Leeson and Nithin Rai described the project, while Chris Coode, Deputy Chief Executive of the environmental organization Thames21, provided an overview of the challenges and opportunities for wildlife along the urban reaches of the Thames.

The project aims to support biodiversity along the River Thames by providing habitat for microorganisms and invertebrates to support the return of wildlife where urban riverbanks have been replaced with hard, vertical walls. 

In September 2015 large scale images of river organisms were projected along the Thames embankment in London to draw attention to the importance of supporting biodiversity along urban rivers. This arts/science collaboration between artist Loraine Leeson and scientist Nithin Rai includes new reed bed habitat for micro organisms and invertebrates in long basket structures attached to the hull of the Dutch barge Tamesis Dock. Projections along the embankment pavement by Tames Dock will continue after dark until 24th September 2015.


Find out more at www.lambethfloatingmarsh.org.uk


Lambeth Floating Marsh projections from Loraine Leeson on Vimeo.

0 Comments

Lee Valley Hydrocitizens will be at the Love the Lea Festival

7/22/2015

0 Comments

 
Love the Lea and Thames 21 will be celebrating the wonderful rivers of the Lea Valley on Sunday, 23rd of August and the Lee Valley- Hydrocitizenship team will be joining with a cultural mapping stall at the festival site.

There will be live music from The Wave Pictures, Darren Hayman, The Bonfire Band Noah Kelly and more....

We've Interesting talks from the The London Sound Survey, workshops from Rob St.John, Author Gareth E. Rees reading 'Marshland', river themed games, and craft activities. 

Plus the Love the Lea team will be providing pond dipping, water quality testing, our underwater camera, games and information! 

Food from Club Mexicana, beers from Redemption Brewing, and cakes from the East End W.I! 

FREE - no tickets required 

Walthamstow Marshes Picnic Area 
Sunday 23rd August 2015 
11am - 7pm

Site location https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zAQTucugMoXM.kvkOLotFvG-c&usp=sharing 
Facebook invitation https://www.facebook.com/events/867619369951266


Love the Lea is a Thames21 campaign to save the rivers of the Lea Catchment. 

Thames21 is London's leading waterway charity. 
Registered Charity 1103997


Ozlem

To read more by Ozlem visit her page on Hydrocitizens.
0 Comments

Weekend to Remember: AHRC-Connected Communities and London Festival of Architecture at Hackney Wick & Fish Island

7/2/2015

0 Comments

 
Hydrocitizenship Project celebrated the 10th anniversary festival of AHRC-Connected Communities and London Festival of Architecture at Hackney Wick & Fish Island on the 26-28 June 2015. Diverse events, exhibitions, workshops and talks took place including Middlesex University exhibition of Interior Architecture & Design student schemes at Hub 67, Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship Project cultural mapping outside Hackney Pearl, Creative Factories exhibition at See Studio, Wick Session on community land trust at Stour Space, screening of the Long Good Friday film at the Mother Gallery, DEN-City 1 curated by Rebecca Feiner at Forman's Yard, Open Studios and many more. 
Over 2000 people visited the Festival area and got involved in different activities during the weekend. A brief visitor survey has been undertaken during the festival weekend. The results show that 37% of the participants were visiting HW&FI area for the first time, 44% visit the area regularly and the rest live/work in HW&FI area. Majority of the participants were in the age group of 25-44. While visitors mainly experienced most of festival activities, Hackney Wicked Open studios, the Architecture Exhibition, DEN-City and the Creative Factories Exhibition were the most visited ones. Majority of the participants have heard about the festival via word of month or festival flyers and posters and 56% mentioned that their experience of the festival was very good.

Picture
Picture
Hydrocitizenship project outdoor stall was one of the liveliest areas of the festival. Over 40 people took part in the cultural mapping study which aimed to make creative contributions to the ways citizens and communities live with each other and their environment in relation to water. Detailed analysis and results report will be available on our website soon. Some preliminary analysis is available below. Also the posters explaining the Hydrocitizenship project were presented during the festival and they are still on display at the Hub 67 in Hackney Wick (the posters are available at the Documents). You can find more pictures from the festival in the Gallery.
0 Comments

Don't miss the Lee Valley-Hydrocitizenship stall at the  LFA/CC Festival, 27-28 June

6/16/2015

0 Comments

 
Hydrocitizenship Connected Communities project is making creative contributions to the ways citizens and communities live with each other and their environment in relation to water. Hear about the Lee Valley case study and have your say on your neighbourhood and local water ecosystems. We will have stanlls in Hub 67 and in front of Hackney Pearl on the 27 and 28 June from 11am to 5pm.

Picture
0 Comments

Gardening at the Hub 67

4/30/2015

0 Comments

 
Yesterday stated as a dark, rainy day but later in the afternoon it turned out to be very sunny and pleasant which made it possible to enjoy the gardening event at the Hub 67 even more. Hub 67 is the new focal point for residents, hosting events, classes and community groups in Hackney Wick. Groundwork community team and local residents helped to create small hubs of planting around the building followed by a lovely tea break and delicious cakes. Thanks to Sally Anthony, Manager at Hub 67, for her invite and being a great host.  

Picture
Picture
Picture

Hub 67 is starting to actively engage with the locals now and planning to host several workshops for all ages. Moreover, it will be one of the venues to host the London Festival of Architecture and AHRC 10 Year Connected Communities Festival between 26-29 June. There will be an exhibition of architecture student design schemes based around Hackney Wick/Fish Island, mapping workshops, talks/debates and film screenings on theme of Creative Factories, Community Land Trusts and more. You can find further information about the festival here soon. 

Ozlem

To read more by Ozlem visit her page on Hydrocitizens.

0 Comments

Wetland to Wetland, Lea Valley

3/27/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
‘Wetland to Wetland’ has been successful in a competition for £120,000 funding from the Mayor’s Big Green Fund to provide a new 3km walking and cycling route connecting Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney with Walthamstow Wetlands in Waltham Forest. This will see more green space, new trees planted and improvements to make the streets safer. The greenway will also join up with several other quiet ways, including into central London and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The award was made on the basis of popular vote as featured on our blog - so thanks to all Hydro bloggers who supported by voting!

The Hydrocitizenship Lea Valley team spent an afternoon yesterday with the London Wildlife Trust in Walthamstow Wetlands and Woodberry Down Nature Reserve discussing the development of these reservoirs for community access, environmental education and recreation. Both sites are in receipt of Heritage Lottery funding for environmental improvements, visitor facilities and interpretation of these habitats. The reservoirs are fed by the River Lea and New River, still providing fresh drinking water for Londoners. Current works include the creation of reed beds, boardwalks, renovation of heritage water buildings such as the Gas Works - all towards the opening up of these water facilities to the public after two hundred years. The Woodberry Down wetlands will reopen in September 2015 whilst the larger Walthamstow Wetlands will open in 2 years time – this is an important habitat for many birds including reed bunting, song thrush, kingfisher and the occasional bittern; and also provides valuable foraging and roosting habitat for bats. The site provides important winter shelter for wildfowl and is a key ‘stepping stone’ for large numbers of migratory birds as they move to and from the Lee Valley Special Protection Area.  


















Cllr Phillip Glanville, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Housing said: “The opening up of the East Reservoir (Woodberry Downs) will reveal and celebrate this hidden gem for local residents and beyond. It’s one of the many ways we are working with partners to transform the Woodberry Down area. As well as improving local facilities we are providing thousands of new homes for social renting, shared ownership and private sale. At Woodberry Wetlands visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy and learn about the natural world in a beautiful setting that also remains part of busy, urban inner London.”

Helen Newman, Head of Corporate Social Responsibly for Thames Water said: “We are proud to be working with the London Wildlife Trust to open our reservoir in Stoke Newington to the public.  Our partnership will protect and enhance the habitat for the unique wildlife at the site, and by engaging with the local community, help them to understand the importance of water in the environment and why we all need to use water wisely.”

The Trust is appointing Community Engagement officers with whom the Lea Valley team will be working on a range of participatory activities and consultation on Hydrocitizenship issues.

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/woodberry-wetlands

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/walthamstow-wetlands.aspx

Graeme Evans

To read more by Graeme visit his page on hydrocitizens.com


0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Lee Valley News

    This blog contains news from the Lee Valley Hydrocitizenship team.

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.