Protect Our River
The River Thames is at the heart of Henley. It shapes our town’s identity, fuels our recreation, and supports precious wildlife. But our river faces serious challenges – from pollution and sewage, to habitat loss and the effects of climate change.
🌿 Real Change Starts With All of Us
Protecting the Thames isn’t just about doing the right thing – it’s about looking after the place we all care about. Whether you live by the river, row on it, walk beside it or value clean water and safe communities, it matters. Now more than ever, we need to show that care through ACTION.
Grassroots community involvement is how real change happens. It’s how we show decision-makers that clean water and a healthy river in Henley isn’t just a concern for a few – it’s a shared priority across our whole community.
Every pledge – by individuals, clubs, schools, and businesses—adds strength to our message:
👉 We care. We’re paying attention. We expect better.
When we act together, we build momentum that can’t be ignored, showing a groundswell of support for change. This is about protecting what we value – together.
🌊 Make or Adopt a River Pledge
We’re building a local movement for clean water, a healthy river and a safer future, and we need your voice.
- Individuals: Make a personal pledge and take action.
- Businesses & organisations: Adopt a pledge and share it with your team, your staff/members, your customers/suppliers.
The more people involved, the stronger the signal we send.
✅ The River Pledges
- Use eco-friendly products
Choose non-toxic, refillable, and biodegradable items to protect water quality. - Connect to the river
Spend time by the Thames. Notice it. Share what you love about it. - Care for the river
Join or organise a local clean-up. Every effort adds up. - Speak up for the river
Contact your MP. Support river protection campaigns. Make your voice count.
👣 Be Part of Something Bigger
This isn’t someone else’s job – it’s ours. When we act together, we send a clear message, and inspire others to do the same, spreading a wave of action that pushes upwards, giving local decision makers a mandate for change:
🟦 The people of Henley care about the Thames.
🟦 We live in a river town and expect a clean, healthy, safe river — for ourselves and future generations.
Let’s protect what we love. Let’s make Henley safer, cleaner and greener.
We’re fortunate to have inspiring local groups leading the way:
- The Henley Mermaids, raising awareness through swimming and campaigning
- HoT Water, led by Dave Wallace, holding polluters to account
- Henley Town Council, actively supporting river health
- Friends of the Thames, a local charity connecting communities and protecting the river
But the truth is: they can’t do it alone. We all need to come together to protect our river.
