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Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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Year: 2008

Local people

Giving berth to a dream

20/03/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

ROB MARSH has a dream. He wants to make Shepperton Marina the best on the Thames – no small ambition when you consider some of the competitors he’s up against.

Recent developments

A lovely bunch of jetsam

18/03/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I know that climate change is a serious concern to many, but its effect on our part of the Thames appears to be more rapid than I had thought it would be.

Recent developments

Fierce competition

14/03/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

If you happen to be walking down by the Thames at Runnymede most Sunday mornings you might have wondered at the rhythmic drumming that occasionally emanates from the river.

Nature Recent developments

The gloves are coming off

06/03/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I remember fondly summer holidays with my children at Southwold on the Suffolk coast when one of the regular highlights was taking part in the annual crabbing contest. We regularly used to lift out hundreds of crabs of various sizes by dangling old fishheads and bits of bacon rind into the water.

Recent developments

Generations join in Thames ‘rescue’

28/02/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Teamwork helps distraught boy fish his homemade skateboard from the river

Rules and regulations

How we miss those floating cops

13/02/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Increase in river crime illustrates the need for dedicated patrols

Nature

Moody but always magnificent…

12/02/200827/02/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Say what you like about the river, you can never describe it as dull.

Recent developments Terra Nova

I’m proud to be a member of the boat-owning underclass

11/02/200821/12/2025Mort SmithComment(0)

Mort Smith’s new weekly column looks at the lighter side of life on the River Thames.

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Get in touch

To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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