Talk of the Thames

Thames Estuary Partnership
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  • Natural Sciences

Listen to relaxed and insightful conversations about the tidal Thames, including history, riverside development, environmental issues and wildlife. Hosted by Chloe Russell.

  1. May 15

    Paddle London: The Thames from Water Level with Anu Aladin

    What changes when you see London from the water? In this episode of Talk of the Thames, Chloe Russell speaks with author and paddleboarder Anu Aladin (@mysupstories) about her new book Paddle London - a guide to 40 paddle routes across London’s rivers, canals, docks and reservoirs. After more than a decade of paddling in the capital, Anu describes the Thames as a place of local adventure, hidden nature and moving meditation. From early morning paddles under Hammersmith Bridge to fish surveys at Syon Park’s tidal meadow, this conversation explores what stand-up paddleboarding reveals about London’s waterways - and why the Thames deserves to be better protected, celebrated and understood. Together, Chloe and Anu discuss Blue Mind, river wildlife, access to the water, responsible paddling, tides, soundscapes, safety, sewage, community, and the joy of discovering wilderness closer than you think. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

    39 min
  2. The Curators Behind London Museum: Secrets of the Thames

    09/11/2025

    The Curators Behind London Museum: Secrets of the Thames

    The Thames is a time capsule—and mudlarks are the storytellers. Join Chloe at the London Museum for Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s Lost Treasures. With curators Kate Sumnall and Thomas Ardill, we uncover extraordinary objects lost and found on the foreshore, from ancient tools to modern relics. A must-listen for history lovers, Londoners, and anyone curious about what the river reveals. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

    44 min
  3. Mapping the Ocean: How Art, Play and Technology Are Reimagining Our Blue Planet

    07/01/2025

    Mapping the Ocean: How Art, Play and Technology Are Reimagining Our Blue Planet

    Step into the world’s first public Spilhaus projection ocean map with presenter Chloe Russell in this special World Ocean Day episode of Talk of the Thames. Recorded at the newly reopened Ocean Hall at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, this episode features an immersive walking interview with curators Tim May and Aimee Mook. Together, they explore ocean literacy, underwater ecosystems, and the power of play in environmental storytelling—from tiger sharks with cameras to coconut crabs, seagrass meadows, and underwater volcanoes. This episode blends science communication, creative technology, and ocean advocacy to remind us that our relationship with water extends far beyond the Thames—and across the globe. Perfect for listeners interested in: ocean science, museums, environmental storytelling, public engagement, climate communication, art-meets-science, World Ocean Day 2025. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

    42 min
  4. Nature’s Greatest Mystery: The Story of the Eel

    05/16/2025

    Nature’s Greatest Mystery: The Story of the Eel

    In this special Talk of the Thames episode for World Eel Day, presenter Chloe Russell is joined by Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group, to uncover one of the most extraordinary and mysterious stories in the natural world — the life cycle and survival of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). 🧭 From diving deeper than nuclear submarines to travelling 7,000km without eating, eels have a life journey unlike any other. 🐍 But with their population down by over 90%, this critically endangered species is now at the heart of a major conservation fight. Andrew and Chloe discuss: Why the European eel is vanishing — and what makes its lifecycle so bizarreThe shocking global scale of illegal eel traffickingThe real reason we can’t breed eels in labsHow communities, classrooms, and volunteers are helping rebuild the eel’s futureWhat we can do — as individuals — to make a difference💬 Plus: why saving the eel might also save our rivers, wetlands, and water systems. 🌍 More eel content is coming! Although World Eel Day falls on Friday 16th May, we’ll be sharing more stories, facts, and interviews beyond this week — follow us Thames Estuary Partnership and stay tuned. 🎧 Want more? Check out our earlier episode from World Fish Migration Day about the Thames Catchment Community Eels Project, where six amazing organisations came together to reconnect rivers and communities for eel recovery. 🔗 Useful links: sustainableeelgroup.orgthamesestuarypartnership.orgThames Catchment Community Eels Project🎙️ Subscribe to Talk of the Thames for more inspiring stories from the river’s edge. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell #EelWeek2025 #WorldEelDay #TalkOfTheThames #EuropeanEel #RiverRestoration #WaterwaysMatter #NatureConnectivity #SustainableEelGroup #AndrewKerr #ChloeRussell #ThamesEstuaryPartnership

    42 min
  5. People of the Thames: Songs, Treasures & Time

    04/02/2025

    People of the Thames: Songs, Treasures & Time

    This episode is the second in our new panel discussion series People of the Thames on Talk of the Thames, where we explore how different communities work, create, and engage with the river. Hosted by Chloe Russell, this series brings together experts, storytellers, and practitioners whose lives and work are directly tied to the Thames. In this panel, recorded aboard the working Theatreship in Canary Wharf, we explore the rich cultural and emotional connections people form with the Thames through art, music, history, and heritage. This is a conversation about creativity, community, and the personal stories that flow through the river’s current. 💡 What’s in this episode? The healing power of mudlarking and the emotional stories found in Thames treasuresHow folk songs connect us to a shared river cultureThe importance of storytelling and film in preserving community identityThe role of art and cultural projects in deepening our relationship with the Thames🎙️ Featuring: 🔹 Nicola White – Mudlark artist uncovering personal and historical narratives from Thames artefacts 🔹 Izzy Walter – Musician reviving folk songs and championing river heritage 🔹 Natalie Hill – Multi-BAFTA-winning filmmaker and film programmer at Theatreship 🔹 Adrian Evans – Cultural producer creating projects that connect communities through river-inspired storytelling __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

    1h 21m
  6. People of the Thames: Working on the River

    02/24/2025

    People of the Thames: Working on the River

    This episode marks the launch of a new panel discussion series People of the Thames on Talk of the Thames, where we explore how different communities work, create, and engage with the river. Hosted by Chloe Russell, this series brings together experts, storytellers, and practitioners whose lives and work are directly tied to the Thames. Episode 1: People of the Thames: Working on the River In this first panel, we dive into the working life of the Thames—what it means to make a living on the river, preserve its heritage, and create opportunities for future generations. Recorded aboard the Theatreship, a beautifully restored vessel moored in Canary Wharf, this discussion captures the stories of those shaping the river’s future. 💡 What’s in this episode? The hidden world of river work—from marine restoration to skills trainingHow the Thames connects people, past and present, through heritage and conservationThe importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of river workersChallenges and hopes for the future of the Thames as a working and living riverFeaturing: 🔹 Katherine Riggs (Thames Skills Academy) – on training and inspiring the next generation of river workers 🔹 Laura Nee (Thames Landscape Strategy) – on preserving and enhancing the river’s cultural and natural heritage 🔹 Inigo Lapwood (Theatreship) – on restoring historic vessels and keeping maritime history alive __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

    1h 5m
  7. Cruise the Thames: Biodiversity, History, and Heritage

    08/28/2024

    Cruise the Thames: Biodiversity, History, and Heritage

    Welcome to a special episode of Talk of Thames with your host, Chloe Russell. This week, we're taking you on an exclusive boat trip along the iconic River Thames, recorded live during the Totally Thames Festival 2023. Join our expert guides—Amy Pryor, Technical Director of Thames Estuary Partnership, Fisheries Expert Steve Colclough, and Thames Archaeologist Fiona Haughey—as they delve into the rich biodiversity, fascinating history, and hidden heritage of London's great river. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell.

    1h 1m
  8. A Conversation with Steve Colclough - Guardian of the Thames Estuary (Part Two)

    11/13/2023

    A Conversation with Steve Colclough - Guardian of the Thames Estuary (Part Two)

    Welcome back to the second part of our captivating journey beneath the surface of the Thames Estuary. In this episode, we're joined by a true guardian of these waters, Steve Colclough, Fisheries Scientist and Chair of the Estuarine & Marine Specialist Section at the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM). We've moved our discussion from the riverbank to the riverside at Battersea Reach, where Steve provides invaluable insights into the world of marine and freshwater fisheries, as well as his extensive experience in protecting this unique ecosystem. We pose a series of thought-provoking questions to Steve, exploring his remarkable 40 year long career and his passion for preserving the biodiversity of the Thames Estuary. We uncover the challenges he's faced while conducting fish surveys, his innovative solutions and his ability to collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders. From memorable discoveries to the environmental threats that fish populations face, we dive deep into the intricacies of the estuarine ecosystem. Steve shares his wisdom on sustainable fisheries management practices and the ever-evolving trends he's observed over the years. As the conversation unfolds, we also touch on the special concerns and conservation interests associated with particular fish species and habitats in the Thames Estuary. For those who harbour dreams of a career in marine and freshwater fisheries or environmental consultancy, Steve imparts his seasoned advice. And, as always, we conclude with a profound take-home message from our esteemed guest. So, join us at the tranquil Riverside at Battersea Reach as we learn from the river's guardian, Steve Colclough, and continue our exploration of the hidden world beneath the tides of the Thames Estuary. __________________ Talk of the Thames has been brought to you by the Thames Estuary Partnership https://www.thamesestuarypartnership.org/ Keep up to date with TEP on all platforms! Twitter: @ThamesEstPart Facebook: @thamesestuarypartnership Instagram: @thamesestuarypartnership YouTube: @thamesestuarypartnership  Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell.

    23 min
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About

Listen to relaxed and insightful conversations about the tidal Thames, including history, riverside development, environmental issues and wildlife. Hosted by Chloe Russell.

Information

  • Creator
    Thames Estuary Partnership
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Talk of the Thames
  • Show Website
    Talk of the Thames