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Hilary Benn gives keynote speech at TLS meeting

Almost 400 supporters and representatives of the Thames Landscape Strategy crowded into the magnificent surroundings of the Orangery at Kew Gardens on Tuesday night to attend the Annual Meeting. Dr Nigel Taylor welcomed guests on behalf of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew before the Strategy Co-ordinator Jason Debney provided a passionate update of the TLS’s work. “The past year has been our busiest yet” said Jason adding “It has also been our most productive. We have been successful in raising significant funding for a range of projects along the river and through our Towpath Management Plan we have now seen a staggering 85% reduction in riverside litter. Everyone involved should feel very proud”.

The key note speaker was Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. During his address Hilary talked about the pressures that lay ahead in combating climate change focussing in particular on how this could impact on communities across the world including those along the River Thames. He praised the work of the Thames Landscape Strategy saying “I congratulate all of the volunteers and organisations who have worked together to make this plan happen. Because of their work the historic Thames landscape will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.”

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