PLA Backing Saves This Year's Thames Tidefest
Strand on the Green focused event had previously been supported by Thames Water
Canoeing with Edge Progressive Paddling and kayaking with CKC
August 28, 2025
Thames Tidefest will return to Chiswick on Sunday 14 September, following confirmation of new sponsorship from the Port of London Authority (PLA). The annual event, now in its eleventh year, had faced uncertainty after previous financial support from Thames Water ended two years ago.
Organisers say the festival has continued with limited resources and welcome the PLA’s backing as a means of securing its future.
Tidefest takes place primarily at Strand on the Green and was first held in 2014. It was established by a coalition of volunteers and river-focused organisations to promote public engagement with the Thames as both an environmental and recreational asset. The event grew out of the Thames Tunnel Now campaign, which supported the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel—a major infrastructure project aimed at improving water quality in the river. The tunnel opened earlier this year.
The festival features a wide range of activities designed to encourage interaction with the river, including paddle boarding, kayaking, foreshore walks, river dipping, circus workshops, and what is billed as London’s largest angling competition. This year’s programme will also highlight the In the Drink campaign, which seeks to reduce plastic pollution in the Thames and is supported by the PLA.
Over the years, Tidefest has brought together organisations such as Active 360, Angling Trust, Chelsea Kayak Club, Environment Agency, River Thames Society, RNLI, Thames 21, London Wildlife Trust, RSPB, ZSL, and various local residents’ groups. The event has also received support from Ealing Council and the London Museum of Water and Steam.
PLA’s Corporate Affairs Director, Sian Foster, said the organisation was pleased to support an event that encourages safe and inclusive use of the river. Tidefest Chairman Martin Salter, who also serves as Head of Policy at the Angling Trust, expressed hope that the new partnership would lead to long-term stability for the festival. Paul Hyam, founder of the In the Drink campaign and director of Active 360, noted that the festival’s evolving focus on river safety and environmental protection continues to resonate with Londoners.
Tidefest remains a community-led initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the Thames and encouraging responsible enjoyment of its resources. Organisers expect a strong turnout for this year’s event and continue to promote the river as a space for recreation, education, and conservation.
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