THE WANDLE

Loose yourself In The River

A sense of place, 

A trail of sorts,

A living space

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THE GOALS

This video project acts as a library of the River Wandle with; recorded walks, memories from the community and the creative response of local artists.The project will have mid-points, where the results will be published and publicly shown in projection events.The project wants to use various ways to make art available for those that would not normally be involved.​ 

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The Wandle is a chalkstream. There are only 200 chalk streams remaining worldwide. And it is our job to protect them.

All our rivers, including the Wandle chalkstream, are invaluable to us. Not only do they create the landscapes we know and love around us, they have also been instrumental in the development of our towns, our industry and our businesses, providing us with a vital source of freshwater.

With increasing populations, the demand for water from our rivers is growing and many are suffering the consequences.

It is part of my ongoing residency from The River Wandle in Surrey, England. The River Wandle has been the focus for industry dating back to the Middle Ages and was once famed as ‘the hardest-working river in the world’ (Wandle Valley Website).

2025​ FINAL FILM December 2025 to March 2026

THE WORDS

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'The Wandle - escapism, tranquility and nature!'​

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QUOTES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AUGT 2022 and JUNE 2023

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'Love to get up to Morden Hall Park, all a bit dull and industrial from there onwards and you never quite feel that you've escaped London. 🦆'

'I do like the drone of industrial units as you walk the Hackbridge to Mitcham bits.'

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'We lived in Wandle Bank Beddington from 86-93. A sweet little cottage. Part of the frontage was the river. Apparently the first half of our bit belonged to us. Both our kids were brought up here and we had a constant open house for all their friends and neighbours. We built a swing , climbing frame on the land in front of river. Very happy days xxx'

'I've walked The Wandle from Carshalton Ponds to the far side of Morden Hall Park in stages. What struck me most was the clarity of the water and the constant flow from both Carshalton & Waddon Ponds and the vegetation along the way; it's a very pretty walk! Still saw some moron walking along drinking a can of something, then just tossed the can in the river when he'd finished it! What mentality is that?'

...'it’s reflected light and colour is certainly a highlight for me'

...'@ Neal Vaughan Artworks yep, I'd go with that too! Wilderness Island is interesting also!'

'I wish our useless uncaring MP (dated 2022) hadn’t voted to allow water companies to discharge raw sewage into this, and other lovely rivers.'

...'To walk the entire length is an excellent adventure.'

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...'I agree. And very good for the soul'

'We cycle from Carshalton Beeches to Merton Abbey Mills most weeks for a coffee. Very pleasant ride especially when it is sunny, beautiful light filters through the trees. Love the water meadows. Sometimes do a variation, taking a loop through Beddington Park and Beddington Farmlands, stopping off at the hides and joining the Wandle off Goat Road. Also cycle through Beddington Park and follow the Wandle up to Waddon Ponds.'

'Used to really enjoy the craft market and weekend house clearance markets at Morden Hall before they were cleared for the housing development.'

'Memories of gathering blackberries to come home and make a crumble, pond dipping with the children, feeding the birds and squirrels in Carshalton Park with my grand daughter. Enjoyed watching the heron raise its young in a nest at Carshalton ponds this year.'

...'it’s great to hear you have explored so much, the different areas and stages of the river. There is so much to explore isn’t there? I love how you can find something of interest from the whole length.'

'Yes love the Wandle. Forgot to mention cycling it down to Putney. Thought it wouldn't be too much further to follow the Thames and go back through Richmond Park and Kingston. Hadn't allowed for the bends in the Thames! Slot longer than we expected.'

'Also like the yellow wagtails in Beddington Park. The egrets in the stretch towards Waddon Ponds. Still looking for the Kingfishers in Beddington Park and Wilderness island, not yet been lucky. Enjoy your project.'

'Grandchildren enjoying Helena's (VAUGHAN) duck books we bought at CAOS.'

'Well, I remember as a child seeing the Wandle full of foam discharged from the nearby mills. It is wonderful to see it so Much better now.'

...'that is such an interesting image…the foaming river! That’s a great context. Thank you.'

'Cycling along the path from South Wimbledon to Wandsworth for rehearsals trying not to eat midges at dusk! Merton Abbey Mills to Morden Hall Park for tea and then back for beer! Pulling up brambles in lockdown in the Wandle community garden. Playing Pooh Sticks with the kids in Morden Hall Park. Exploring Beddington Park in lockdown, the wetlands and paddling in the river. Wandering or slow jogging round Wilderness Island, or just standing, listening to the water.'

'One of my favourite places in the Wandle Trail. (The waterfall at Carshalton Ponds)'

'The green environment sound and strength of the Water is healingAn oasis in the middle of the chaos'

...'Yes. The different sounds you hear as you go down the river are so interesting.'

'Every holiday my mum would dig out the fishing nets jam jars and picnic basket, we would walk to modern hall park or jump on a bus to the grove and catch tiddlers. Mum would tuck her dress in her knickers stand knee deep in the river calling " Hear fishy fishy! " at the end of the day the fish went back and we went home till next time.'

'It’s cleaner than it used to be, but still dirtier than I’d like.'

'When I was five I used to climb down under the wheel and catch orange frogs who presumably had been inspired to show orange to match the orange clays that would be around these areas due to the pollution from the factories upstream'