On this page you can see our previous newsletters. If you wish to receive future newsletters by email, please subscribe to our mailing list.
| Email address: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Newsletter: |
To display a newsletter, please select the newsletter from the drop-down, and click this button.
To join the mailing list, please enter your email address and name, and click this button.
To change your name on the mailing list, please enter your email address, and click this button.
To leave the mailing list, please enter your email address, and click this button.
This is the June 2026 edition of the Save Lea Marshes Newsletter - hot off the press! We've just passed the longest day on 21 June and anyone who thinks
there is no such thing as climate change
must be having their belief severely challenged! Climate Change Week (20-28 June) coincided with the hottest June temperature in modern history and alongside issues of climate emergency, let us not forget the nature emergency and do whatever we can to help wildlife during this period e.g. making sure there is a supply of water in your garden or on your balcony for birds and bees etc., to drink.
"BIGGING UP THE BLOGS"
We in SLM are never short of something to say and we often share our views in our Save Lea Marshes Website Blogs. If you log on to https://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk you will immediately see our blog on the recent River Lea Pilgrimage Walks and Rights of the River Lea, which highlights some of the events along the way, with photos. We are planning to gather the photos together in proper order and use them for future projects. Also, on the site you will see a Letter to Prime Minister Starmer
, concerning building development (written before the latest news of his resignation). Writing the blogs gives us more opportunity to go into details that there isn't space for in the newsletters, so do have a look. You can also receive the blog by email: just fill in your email address under Subscribe to Blog via Email
and click Subscribe
.
RIGHTS OF NATURE UPDATE
In the May newsletter, we mentioned the Rights of Nature Bill, that was due to go to the House of Lords at the beginning of June. This is now scheduled for a second reading on 3 July 2026, so that's very encouraging news for nature. We will keep you updated on progress.
BNG - BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN - OR NOT?
Not such encouraging news for nature, however, is detailed in a recent report by Wildlife and Countryside LINK (RSPB and other organisations). The report highlights the current Government's recent changes, which mean that the previous Government's attempts to ensure that all building developments result in an overall increase in biodiversity of at least 10%, is not working as well as it should and the report's survey information reveals that certain areas that are in sociological or economic decline and nature deficient are not benefitting from the set-aside measures and, in some cases, are worse rather than better off. See https://www.wcl.org.uk/docs/green_gap_report.pdf.
EAST LONDON GARDENS SOCIETY BOAT TRIP AND NEW APP
Two of us from Save Lea Marshes and the East London Waterworks Park Project were on board the second boat trip organised by the East London Gardens Society, along the River Lea on 30 May (as part of London Rivers Week), from Limehouse to the Marina near Springfield Park ending up at the Olympic Park. There was a trial run last year, when the weather was a bit dull and showery, but this year the sun shone and we all enjoyed the diversity of scenes along the route, from green and flourishing to industrial and housing developments. Our role on board was to give talks on the work of Save Lea Marshes and the East London Waterworks Park and we were joined by speakers from the National Park London organisation, but the main purpose of the trip was to launch the East London Gardens Society's new travel app. This is an amazing aid for anyone wanting to explore East London's green spaces and waterways and details places, activities and travel routes. It is a work in progress and the organisation is aware that things might need to be tweaked and added to and there is still more needed to be done to make it fully compatible with Apple and Android. Feedback is welcomed to help that process. We congratulate ELGS for their work and the contribution it will make to local people and visitors to London, in being able to find their way by foot, bicycle and public transport throughout the parks and open spaces of our much loved area. See https://gepr.co.uk.
UPDATE ON WHITEWEBBS PARK
The Whitewebbs Park Judicial Hearing took place on 24th and 25th June. This was to establish whether the Tottenham Football Club (Spurs) can lawfully take over part of the park for women's football training. The Park is designated Green Belt land. Recent Local Government change have been seen as positive, but the Judicial Hearing is crucial to the area's future. The Whitewebbs Campaign continues to be active and fundraising to cover court and other campaigning costs see https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/savewhitewebbs/. For the latest information on the second court case see the excellent article in The Enfield Dispatch https://enfielddispatch.co.uk/second-court-case-over-future-of-whitewebbs-park-hears-claims-of-bias-in-council-decision-to-back-spurs-plans/.
BOOK NOOK
This month's book suggestion isn't actually published in hardback until 3 September but I thought I would mention it now, as it fits in so well with Summer Solstice and the longest day. It's The Ancient Ways, A year of folklore, traditions and rituals to connect with nature, by Seren Hawley-Plows. The book follows the pagan wheel of the year and details ancient ways of exploring how nature changes through the seasons. It looks at solstices, equinoxes, legends and festivals and how knowledge of these can deepen our connection with nature and connecting the ancient with the modern world. It has illustrations and recipes included. Looking forward to seeing it published.