River Watch

Fish stock depletion concern

I’m still receiving feedback following my columns about apparent problems with eastern European fishermen taking too many fish from the river – including an acknowledgement from the Environment Agency that this really is an issue.

Judith’s wise investment

“The River Thames is one of Spelthorne borough’s greatest assets – and we simply don’t make enough of that fact.” Those were the words of former major and borough councillor Judith Wood-Dow of Staines as she prepared to board the traditional shallop, Jubilant, at the Thames Lodge hotel a couple of weeks back.

Blame it on his mum

Derek Banks blames his mother for his lifelong interest in boats and boating. Derek, who runs barging holiday company European Waterways Ltd from his idyllic riverside home in Wraysbury, was packed off by his mum to work at Crevall’s boatyard in Old Windsor during each school holiday for every year between the ages of 13 and 18.