A group of boaters and locals have gathered together to show their collective care for Oxford's waterways. Last week they organised a big spring clean of the Thames tow path, litter picking all the way from Folly Bridge down to Kennington Meadows. The event ended with 20 full rubbish bags collected. The boaters who live along this stretch of river then carted the trash away by bike trailer for a proper collection they had organised.

Another litter pick is booked for Sunday 26th meeting at 10am under the Eastern Bypass.

Hamish McKinsey, who was at the meeting, said: “Oxford boaters are one of the communities who care for our city's waterways. Litter picking the tow path is a part of this, that's why we wanted to do a big spring clean.

Next time we’re headed south of Iffley village from the East Oxford Bypass to do a deep clean of litter well into the woods. Anyone else who loves the river and would like to help out would be very welcome to join us on Sunday 26th!”

Daisy Brunsdon, an Oxford boater who took part in the litter pick, said: “It’s frustrating as lots of people just discard their litter down here, and then it’s boaters that get the blame for the mess. It was really upsetting us.”

Archie Green, another member of the local boating community, said: “We love Oxford's waterways. As boaters we try to look after them because they are our home, and the towpath is our front garden!”

About Oxford Boaters Collective

There are around 400 households that live on Oxfords waterways, with many more boats visiting the city throughout the year. The rivers and canals are a key part of Oxford's heritage. Some boaters have lived here for decades, some are just passing through, while others have recently moved onto the waterways as an accessible way to live, work or study here. However some boaters feel recent coverage of the city's waterways has case the community in an unfair light, and have noticed tensions between different users of Oxford's waterways and towpaths.

This group is to help highlight the many benefits boaters bring to Oxford, build trust between users of the waterways, strengthen a shared sense of stewardship of Oxfords waterways, and speak up for the rights of boaters as community members and residents of this city.