UNSUNG HEROES: The volunteers who man lifeboats and inshore rescue boats around Britain’s coasts do not get as much credit as they deserve for their dedication
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee later this year, celebrating Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne, will present all kinds of opportunities for celebration and fun – and the River Thames will play a central role in the event.
During the 1950s, the River Thames was officially branded a biologically ‘dead’ river. It suffered from all kinds of pollution – both from industrial waste and from sewage – that was being pumped into it. Little could survive in the water and anyone falling into it risked major infection.
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.
