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Without the support of funders, partners and people like yourself, we wouldn’t be able to deliver our diverse programme of projects and events along the Thames and across the world.
What will you be doing at the festival?
I’ll be doing a walk entitled 'The Thames: A Love Story'. This 90 minute walk highlights the love affair we Londoner's have with the River Thames and showcase it as a canvas for various works of art and music. On this walking tour, which is part of the Part of Totally Thames 2023, we will hear stories about the love Londoner's have for the Thames. We will see some of the art it inspired; visit the beautiful York Watergate that is nowhere near the water's edge! We will hear all about "The Great Stink"! We will stop at Sir Joseph Bazalgette Memorial and find out what lasting legacy he left us Londoner’s. We will stop at St Mary’s Steps and find out who built them and we will finish with some beautiful music, Handel’s Water Music.
What is your favourite place on the walking tour?
My favourite place on the walk is the terrace at Somerset House where Canaletto stood in 1750 and painted a beautiful view of the Thames, which inspired a very modern building centuries later.
And what story do you never get bored of retelling on these tours?
I never get tired of telling the story of how the River Thames inspired various artists and musicians over the centuries and we will hear some of this wonderful music and see some of the beautiful paintings.
What drew you tell stories of the rivers using walking tours?
The River Thames is such a huge part of every Londoner’s life that I have always been drawn to talking about it during my walking tours. How it has changed and adapted over the years and the ebb and flow of life on it and how it is constantly evolving.
And if the River Thames was a person, would they appreciate, laugh or blush at their love story being told to strangers?
If the River Thames was a person, they would appreciate how it has given rise to wonderful stories about life on it and on the banks beside it. They would laugh at the absurdity of the Great Stink and blush at how fond us Londoner’s are with this glorious river.
Without the support of funders, partners and people like yourself, we wouldn’t be able to deliver our diverse programme of projects and events along the Thames and across the world.