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Learning on the Thames only a Click Away as Lord Smith Launches New Resource
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Over 100 Riverside educational resources listed -
- From source to sea – map provides unique one stop shop for schools and public -
- The Thames an underused resource of international standing -
20 April 2011: A brand new online map – Click on Thames – that, for the first time, joins learning resources and establishments along the 212 mile River Thames from source to sea, has been unveiled by Lord Chris Smith, Chair of the Environment Agency.
The new Click on Thames map provides a unique, one stop shop, for anyone – including teachers and the public – to find about and then contact organisations on the Thames that provide opportunities to learn about and explore the river. Over 100 organisations are listed, with more being added all the time.
The website is: http://www.visitthames.co.uk/learning
Click on Thames has been created for the Thames Learning Group with funding from the Big Lottery Awards For All. The Thames Learning Group is a partnership between the River Thames Alliance Learning Partnership and the Tidal Thames Education Network. The aim of the Thames Learning Group is to provide an easy to use resource for schools and adult learners looking to access the River and its surrounds.
The Click on Thames map has a wide range of diverse organisations listed. Examples include London’s Tower Bridge, The WWT Wetland Centre in Barnes, The National Maritime Museum, The Chilterns Conservation Board, The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The River & Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames and the British Geological Survey, to name a few.
The Southend Museum is the organisation closest to the sea and the National Trust’s Buscot and Coleshill Estates is the organisation listed closest to the source of the river in Coates near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Lord Chris Smith, Chair of the Environment Agency said: “I warmly welcome the Click on Thames initiative and the work of the Thames Learning Group and hope as many people as possible use this fantastic new tool to find out more about this great river. Even better, to be inspired to go and explore it in person. The Thames is a wonderful environment in which to learn, to explore the waterfront and the river, to wonder at the biology and the relationship we have had with the river since history began.
“In the 1950s much of the Thames was considered to be biologically dead. Sixty years later, the Thames has been awarded the world’s most significant environmental prize, The International Thiess River Prize, for most dramatic improvement. There are now 125 species of fish in the river, and otters and salmon are back for the first time since the industrial revolution. I hope all schools, universities and other learners along the length of the River will use the Click on Thames map to discover what wonders the Thames holds for them.”
Paul Mainds, Co-Chair, Thames Learning Group and Chief Executive of the River & Rowing Museum, Henley On Thames one of the main drivers of the project, said: “The launch of Click on Thames is just the start, we encourage all organisations that offer learning for schools or the public to get involved and add their details to the map. At our museum we host over 20,000 school children a year to learn outside the classroom and the delight they get from being on the riverbank is fantastic. I hope the new Click on Thames map provides similar opportunities for schools and the public no matter where they are along the Thames.
Jill Goddard Co-Chair, The Thames Learning Partnership and Chief Executive, The Thames Estuary Partnership said: “Click on Thames is part of the Thames Learning Group aim to provide an easy to use resources for schools and adult learners looking to access the River and its surrounds. Ours is a ‘dry culture’ and it i tools like Click on Thames that can remind and inspire us to visit the river, and also make it easier to do so safely.
“The support of the Environment Agency and the Port of London Authority has been hugely helpful in creating the Thames Learning Partnership and helping Click on Thames become a reality.” The Thames Estuary Partnership was pleased to be able to apply for the funding and manage the grant spend.
Log on and find your nearest resource at http://www.visitthames.co.uk/learning
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About the Thames Learning Group
The Thames Learning Group is a group of over 100 tourism, heritage, education and culture providers along the entire Thames. The River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames, and the Thames Estuary Partnership have taken a leading role in developing the Group. The Group is co-chaired by Paul Mainds, Chief Executive and Trustee of the River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames and Jill Goddard, Chief Executive of the Thames Estuary Partnership.
The aim of the Thames Learning Group is to provide an easy to use resource for schools and adult learners looking to access the River and its surrounds. Topics range from learning outside the classroom for schools through to bird watching, river ecology and the history and heritage of the Thames. Schools, colleges, community groups and individuals in Henley can now use the Partnership to provide learning opportunities tailored to them and plan trips along the river.
The Thames Learning Group covers the length of the Thames from source to sea and involves other organisations such as the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace through to the National Trust, RSPB and many more.
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