Representatives and supporters of the tidal Thames’ LGBT+ community gathered on the river to celebrate the start of Pride month at Waterloo Bridge.

The event, arranged by the Port of London Authority (PLA), was hosted by Woods Quay, the new home of Woods’ Silver Fleet.

Other organisations involved include the Greater London Authority, London Fire Brigade, the Met Police, the RNLI, the Thames Skills Academy and Transport for London, as well as boat operators, rowing clubs and environmental charities, spanning the 95-mile course of the tidal river, from Teddington to the sea.

The gathering coincides with the return of tourist and commuter passenger boat operations on the river, as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Robin Mortimer; PLA chief executive, said: “As Pride month gets under way, it’s important to celebrate the LGBT+ community and ensure we continuously promote acceptance.

“The river is strengthened by the diversity of all those who help ensure it is a safe and attractive place, for everyone living and working along its banks, as well as for visitors.

“Our collective message to people with a professional, voluntary or recreational link to the river is clear: Whatever your sexual orientation, you are welcome.”

Blaeke Downie, from Surrey Quays, who is head of customer service operations at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said: “I’m thrilled to take part in this event, celebrating Pride on the Thames.

“As someone who’s fairly new to living and working on the river, seeing it evolve and grow to become more diverse and inclusive is truly heart-warming. It’s so exciting to be a part of that journey.”

Ryan Sargent, land referencer for the Lower Thames Crossing, from Essex, said: “A river course can often be seen as a dividing line or barrier, but the literal and metaphorical bridges we have built across it over the centuries show the great lengths we go to connect to each other.

“This same sense of connectivity and celebration of our diversity is a cornerstone of Pride, art and culture.”

Gina Blair, master of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen, representing boat operators on the river, said: “As the recent lockdowns have highlighted, the river is a place for everyone.

“Walking its banks has helped so many to cope mentally with the pandemic. We now look forward to welcoming more people of all backgrounds back to travelling on the river, for work or pleasure.”

Hit hard by the pandemic, Creekside Discovery Centre in Deptford was on the verge of closure – until its founder, former chief executive of the Thames Estuary Partnership, Jill Goddard, came to the rescue.

River inspiration

“I was born in Falconwood, near Eltham in south east London.

“My first memory of the Thames is crossing London Bridge on a bus with my mother, to see the Christmas lights. I still remember their glow reflected in the river.”

Creek history

“Deptford is the only Thames creek, where at low tide you can safely wade and explore, with the help of a guide.

“London’s first passenger railway crosses it and Bazalgette’s Greenwich Pumping Station is just next door. Trades and industries, from chemical works to tidal mills and slaughterhouses, have all used its banks.

“The creek’s waters, muddy banks and flood defence walls are home to shrimps, crabs, fish, birds and 300 species of wildflowers.

“A charitable trust was established in 1999 to look after this unique habitat.”

Community roots

“The idea for the Creekside Discovery Centre came from a local resident, back in 1995.

“At the time, I was working for Lewisham Council’s ecology team. I got the creek added into the two local authorities’ regeneration programme – the site is adjacent to the border with Greenwich.

“In those days, the creek was an eyesore, unloved and full of tidal mud and rubbish.

“The surrounding area was blighted by unemployment, running at 24 per cent.  

“But I could see the potential. Both boroughs were keen to develop the potential of Creekside properties.

“Originally the plan was for a non-tidal canoeing facility. I dealt with the detailed environmental assessments that resulted. However, the plan proved too costly and would have a build-up of silt, impacting navigation.

“As an alternative, and to maintain the creek as a local resource, the centre was born.

“Getting it off the ground involved close liaison with the PLA, the Environment Agency and landowners.

“The first design was for a converted barge, but feedback from a local boatowner suggested this wasn’t ideal.

“A concerted fundraising push, supported by Dame Joan Ruddock, the local MP at the time, and many others, made the transition to a land-based centre possible.

“It was a massive effort by all involved to quadruple the amount of money available and make the centre a reality.

Highs and lows

“Our ‘Curry on up the Creek’ evenings, coinciding with summer low tides, will stay long in my memory; a creekside walk, followed by locally-cooked, Indian food, enjoyed watching the sun go down. They were happy days.

“Not forgetting the day we hosted the finale of a torchlit procession of zombies through the narrow local streets, with our beach and rowing boats providing a stunning, closing backdrop. The actors’ and singers’ Victorian costumes and dusty faces still haunt me!

"There were low points too, of course. As a charity, we are dependent on donations and our finances have been on a knife edge at times. In 2006, we only had £500 in the bank. Our conservationist, Nick Bertrand, had to conduct our outreach work on a shoestring. I helped out, running the finances when I’d clocked off my day job. It was full on. Somehow, we hung on.”

Pandemic paralysis

“Then COVID-19 came along. It hit us pretty hard.  Paying visitors ceased in mid- March 2020. Our income stopped overnight.

“Lockdown meant all seven members of staff had to be furloughed or made redundant. It was heart breaking.

Road to recovery

“We’re hoping to spring back.

“Since last June, I have been back running the centre day-to-day, on a voluntary basis, with the support of our committed trustees.

“Our popular low-tide walks resume again in June, along with school visits. We can now offer venue hire again too, as well as provide natural habitat land management support to the professional building sector

“In a great team effort, we have just about managed to keep things ticking over. But we need help. Maintenance and running costs have eaten up most of our cash reserves. We desperately need more donations.

“We are extremely grateful for the emergency support we have received from Clifford Chance, Thames Water, Tideway and Lewisham Council. Their donations have literally kept us afloat.

“An injection of cash from Pulse Films, who used us as a location for an Ikea promotion, has really helped too.

“My sincere thanks go to all our sponsors. We’ve achieved so much together.”  

Future priorities

“As a charity in a changed world, we don’t underestimate the challenges ahead.

“We particularly want to get better at communicating our cause.

“We are for people and wildlife. The centre is a special and unique urban haven for wildlife and people, from across London.

“It is critical that we look at new ways of promoting what we do.

“The more money we raise, the more staff we can recruit in long-term roles.

“We are looking forward to resuming our work, enabling people of all ages to enjoy the creek and its wildlife, right in the heart of urban London.

“It’s very special to see people growing to appreciate and understand nature in the raw, making its own decisions.

“Being local and accessible is important to us.

“We are a great alternative to a trip to the seaside.

“Many Londoners know very little about the importance of the Thames to London.

“The centre is a chance to change that.”

Safety first

“Safety is paramount for everyone at the centre.

“The tide is fast-moving and the foreshore mud is deep. Both can catch people out, sometimes with serious consequences. Understanding that fosters a new-found respect for the river.

“It is why we are developing a new training programme, Creek Know How, which will launch on our website soon.”

Opportunities to help out

“I’d love to hear from people who want to train as a guide for low-tide walks, or help with our schools programme.

“Of course, money matters too.  A regular monthly donation of just £3 would make the world of difference, for example helping us purchase vital equipment, like waders to keep your visitors’ feet dry!”

Top tips

“I have many favourite places on the Thames, but high among them are Erith Marshes and Gravesend, where the river really widens out. I have a particular fascination for the working river.

Quick fire

• Perfect weekend? A coastal walk, plus comfortable pub accommodation, good local food and good company - accompanied by red wine, or G&T!
• First record ever bought? Elvis Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes.
• Pet hates? People who don't care and who don't listen!

If you would like to help Jill get the centre back on its feet, please contact her via [email protected] or visit their website.

National Volunteers’ Week runs from 1 – 7 June this year.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has awarded a contract to model the future of energy demand and supply on the tidal Thames as we look to shape the zero carbon port for the future.

The award, to Royal HaskoningDHV and start of the work, was announced at the PLA’s online annual stakeholder forum held today (Tuesday, 11 May). Chief executive Robin Mortimer says that the new study is essential to ensure that the port remains competitive in the long term. It will be a building block of an updated strategy for the river: Thames Vision 2050.

“The future of Thames river use is going to be shaped by substantial change as the economy decarbonises in response to climate change, new technologies emerge, trading patterns adjust, and we recover from the pandemic,” he explained. “We have actively been looking at what this means for the port over the last eighteen months.

“Our port trade forecasts show a decline in oil product cargoes in the port through the 2030s as the economy decarbonises, whilst new opportunities will emerge in sustainable fuels. This will be matched to changing energy needs of ships calling in the Port and smaller vessels working on the river. The new study will assess energy demand and the infrastructure needed to meet it.

“We will share the findings with stakeholders as we shape Thames Vision 2050. This long-term strategy for the river will set out the zero carbon future for the UK’s biggest port, busiest inland waterway, centre for wildlife, sport, recreation and culture.”

Royal HaskoningDHV, working with University Maritime Advisory Services, will undertake the energy demand study for the PLA, building on the Emission Reduction Roadmap for Inland Vessels on the tidal Thames, released in 2020. The roadmap sets out options available for reducing air and carbon emissions, including biofuel and emissions abatement, battery-electric, and fuel cell-electric; it concluded a mix of energy provisions will be needed to suit the different operational needs on the tidal river.

The aim of the energy demand modelling is to assess the energy solutions and infrastructure needed to support decarbonisation in order to create certainty for adoption of low carbon technologies, for operators on the Thames, including the PLA’s own vessels. It will help the PLA and the wider Thames community in making their investment decisions.

The first phase of the study will look at the different needs along the tidal Thames between now and 2050, when the UK is legally obliged to achieve Net Zero, based on stakeholder contributions and previous research by the PLA. Factors considered will include the speed of technological change for both inland and international shipping fleets, future growth, geographic constraints, safety, supply chain, current regulations, and commercial viability.

The second phase will address the feasibility of delivering the identified solutions at specific representative sites, gauging the pros and cons of the best suited solutions, including cost, spatial and ancillary infrastructure needs, resulting in a likely scenario for different use cases. Short-, medium- and long-term options will emerge, including the mix of diesel, biodiesel and other transition fuels, including LNG.

James Trimmer, director of planning and environment, said:

“The Energy Mapping and Demand Project will allow us to set out a clear plan for what will be installed where and when, helping us, other operators and landowners make decisions on investments in innovative technologies. It will also support the development of new jobs and business services as the transition to new technologies progresses.”

The model will be developed over the next couple of months. The summary of the results will be published on our website later in the year to help all relevant stakeholders access the information.

The PLA also expects to begin an initial six week call for evidence on an updated Thames Vision, covering the period to 2050 in late May. This update will combine the port forecast and energy modelling to look forward to actions required for the adoption of low carbon fuels by maritime operations and the consequences on health, wildlife and water quality. The initial Vision, launched in mid-2016, covered the period to 2035. A five year Thames Vision Progress Review has been released today and is available at: www.pla.co.uk/ThamesVision.

The PLA last year announced its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2040, or earlier. Its latest annual environment report has also been released, reflecting progress across air & water quality; resource; and biodiversity.

“Kickstarters”, recruited by the Gravesend-based Port of London Authority, as part of a Government scheme to help unemployed young people, travelled up the River Thames to meet the employment minister, Mims Davies MP, at Westminster (10 May).

Seven young people (aged 16- 24) have so far been recruited by the PLA under the scheme, designed to give them experience in a real working environment. It is hoped their six-month placements, funded by the Government, will lead to permanent positions.

• Mary Ajanaku (22) joined the PLA’s hydrography team (4 May), which works to survey the bed of the tidal River Thames. Raised in Gravesend, she has recently moved to live in Brixton. A graduate in psychology with health studies from De Monfort University, she has previously worked in the finance sector.
• Isobel Burrowes (23) is a newly recruited to the PLA’s facilities team, which looks after 11 sites, from Richmond Lock to the estuary. A former pupil of Mayfield Grammar School in Gravesend, she is a history of art graduate from Sussex University. Her duties will include reviewing the PLA’s art collection dating back to 1910.
• Brandon Cripps (19), from Hoo, studied motor vehicle engineering at Bromley College. He will spend his six months placement with the PLA’s marine services team, maintaining river infrastructure along the 95-mile length of the tidal Thames. Prior to the pandemic, he worked temporarily on pleasure boats in central London.
• Gemma Durkin (24), who worked previously as an admin assistant for a wealth management company, is now part of the PLA’s procurement team. Another Gravesend resident, she studied glassblowing at the University of Creative Arts in Farnham.
• Sean Holdforth (22) from Welling, graduated in economics and politics from Kent University in 2020. His work with the PLA will focus on environmental data management, in particular finding ways to improve the current data system to be more user-friendly and efficient, to support the PLA’s journey to reach Net Zero by 2040.
• Enrik Hoxha (22) studied for an IT apprenticeship at St John’s Secondary School in Gravesend. His recruitment to the PLA’s IT team is his first post since completing his studies. He hopes to further his knowledge while on the help desk, assisting colleagues across the organisation, including those working from home, due to the pandemic.
• Tito Okanlami (24), from Dartford, is a graduate in accounting and finance from Bournemouth University. She is now part of the PLA’s commercial team, where her work includes developing new methods for analysing business. Her local MP, Gareth Johnson said: “I wish Tito the best of luck with this placement. I hope this kickstart at the PLA is the first step in a successful career for her in commerce and business.”

Minister for employment, Mims Davies MP, said: “It’s fantastic to see the PLA backing this Government’s Kickstart scheme – truly buoying the career prospects of our next generation of workers and helping them develop the key skills to thrive in work. There is real potential for progression into permanent roles after the six months, highlighting how our Plan for Jobs is delivering long-term opportunity, as we push to build back better and level up across the country.”

Jackie Doyle-Price MP, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Ports & Maritime Group, said: “A career in the maritime sector is varied and rewarding, reflected in the roles these young adults are undertaking with the PLA. Young people have been hit hardest by the economic fallout of the pandemic. This scheme provides that all-important first step on the career ladder.”

Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the PLA, said: “With the pandemic seriously affecting young people’s job prospects, we want to do our bit by helping them develop the skills and experience to secure full-time employment. The majority of our recent apprentices have gone on to greater things with us and we hope that will be the case for our new Kickstart trainees too.”

On 8 May 1984, the day HM The Queen formally opened the Thames Barrier, one of its current key staff had just turned one. Here Alan explains its critical role in protecting the capital from flooding, 24/7.

Career flow

“I’ve worked at the Thames Barrier for 12 years, the past six as one of five flood forecasters, running the control room, round the clock, every day of the year.

“I grew up locally and have a long-standing interest in the river.

“Literally the day after completing my Master’s degree in environmental management at the University of Hertfordshire, a post was advertised, based at the Thames Barrier, which primarily was to promote flood risk in London. Luckily for me, I’d just written 10,000 words on that very subject.

“Like everyone on the river, we are very proud of the role we have played in keeping the Thames operating safely over the last year, in extremely challenging circumstances.

“Although we’ve had reduced numbers of staff on site over the past year or so due to the pandemic, the five forecasters have manned the barrier throughout. Our engineers have also completed key maintenance work and kept the barrier operating safely. Fortunately, the rotas are now getting back to normal.”

Flood prevention

“The Thames has a long history of tidal flooding.

“Even in Roman times, much of what we now refer to as the City of London was constructed on higher ground.

“Two significant events during the 20th Century brought the idea of the tidal barrier into the public mind-set. In January 1928, 14 people lost their lives when a high tide combined with very high river flows generated exceptionally high river levels in central London. Part of the river wall collapsed in the middle of the night, drowning people in basement flats.

“The near-miss of 1953, when large parts of East Anglia spared London from flooding, proved to be the catalyst for a tidal barrier to hold back extreme tides.

“Construction of the barrier started in late 1974, and it was operational by February 1982.

“Originally the barrier was due to be in place until 2030, but thanks to careful ongoing improvements and maintenance, we now expect it to remain operational until at least 2070.

“Revised climate change predictions and the increased risk of flooding mean plans are also in hand in for a second barrier, further downstream towards the coast. It’s a key part of the Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary 2100 strategy, to manage flood risk for the 21st Century.”

Day to day  

“We work a seven-day and seven-night rotation every five weeks, ensuring there’s always someone on duty, 365 days per year.

“There is no such a thing as a typical working day for us. No two tides are ever the same.

“We’re always monitoring the next few tides for any operational activity, whether that’s closing the gates, or issuing flood alerts for as far up river as Teddington.

“There’s plenty of liaison with our friends at Port of London Authority, who share a control centre overlooking the barrier with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

“We all work closely together to ensure that all vessels pass safely through the barrier, unaffected by any movements of the gates.  

“Each gate is moved roughly once every two weeks, to avoid the hollow gates filling with silt.

“Nights are different to day shifts, however. Overnight we keep watch over all the monitoring equipment on the barrier and use the standby team to support if any serious fault needs rectifying overnight.

“Every time of year is different too. Winters can be hard – driving each way to and from work in the dark can be mentally tough. But it’s when we’re typically at our busiest, so the work is more interesting. Summers can be quieter, but we do get to see some amazing sunrises and sunsets.

“When I took over management of our Twitter account in January 2013 we had about 600 followers. I made a bet to run the length of the River Thames, if I got to 1000 followers by the end of that year – only to sail through it when we had the highest tide we’ve ever protected London against in the December. I’m yet to do the run. We currently have around 8,350 followers.

Cruise control

“Larger cruise ships prefer to use Delta span – the deepest part of the Thames at the barrier.

“This means we have to co-ordinate some of our larger maintenance projects outside the summer months. Such planning is carried out several years in advance in many cases.

“One foggy autumnal morning in 1997, a dredger crashed into the side of one of the piers, having been unable to correct its course after overtaking a slower vessel. Fortunately, apart from some paint damage, the structure was unaffected.

Window on wildlife

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of seals in recent years.

“I’ve been lucky enough to spot a couple, but they’re not easy to see from the seventh floor of the control tower.  

“Porpoises have also been known to pass through the Thames Barrier, although I’m yet to spot one.”

A film magnet

“The site has been used many times for various film and TV productions.

“In 2007, the film Flood featured a number of scenes from the Thames Barrier. The under-river tunnels also featured in Mission Impossible 2.

“I also did catch Billie Piper from the office window during filming of Confessions of a Callgirl.

“An episode of Spooks was set at the Thames Barrier, and we’ve featured on Top Gear. And of course EastEnders during the end credits!”

Quick fire

• Charlton or Millwall? Neither. I don’t do football.
• What’s top of your bucket list? Run to work from the source of the Thames.
• Hobbies? Don’t really have time for that! I play hockey in winter, when I can, although at a very poor standard!

The first Thames Green Scheme accreditations, recognising vessel owners’ efforts to protect the environment, have been awarded to Kent-based GPS Marine and Jetstream Tours (20 April 2021).

Launched by the Port of London Authority (PLA) last year, the initiative aims to help operators on the river in their work to improve their vessels’ green performance.

Contracting company, GPS Marine, active along the length of the tidal Thames, is the first recipient of a silver award, while Rochester-based Jetstream Tours has been recognised with a bronze award.

GPS Marine’s silver status reflects its pioneering work to trial technologies reducing emissions on the river, including the adoption of greener alternative diesel across its fleet of 16 tugs and the installation of post-combustion cleaning equipment. The company has also committed to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040 and supports the litter charity Thames21.

The bronze award for Jetstream Tours follows the company’s work to power its vessels using on-shore electric charging stations. As part of its mission to make its operations free of single-use plastics, onboard refreshments are served only in washable re-useable crockery, with no plastic bottles available to purchase. The company also supports the Living River Foundation, working to protect the ecology of the Thames and its tributary, the Medway.

The rankings are based on the organisation's environmental commitment and their vessels’ performance related to air quality, carbon emissions, energy use, water quality, litter and waste, with gold and platinum commendations also available.

Veronica Chan, PLA senior air quality adviser, said: “The Thames Green Scheme is a great way of celebrating operators’ efforts to protect the planet and encourage others to follow suit, and helps customers choose cleaner options on the Thames to help the environment.”

GPS recently commissioned the bunker barge Dispenser to deliver a new biofuel GreenD+ HVO from Dagenham’s Stolthaven Terminal to all its Thames fleet of tugs, along with other vessels on the river.

John Spencer, managing director of GPS Marine, said: “Green D+ HVO enables us to reduce pollution across the board. For example, it adds no fossil carbon to the atmosphere and cuts NOx and particulate emissions by 35 per cent and 85 per cent respectively.

“A single cargo aboard one of 1600 class barges eliminates over 200 HGV tipper movements from London’s roads.

“It’s great to have this Thames Green Scheme recognition of our pioneering efforts to improve the river environment.”

Richard Bain, managing director of Jetstream Tours, said: “We are proud to have received this recognition from the PLA. As a business our aim is to showcase the natural environment, whilst also protecting it for the benefit of future generations.

“We are actively looking at new ways of reaching Net Zero with our fleet.

“Although a small family-run business, we are determined to play our part in creating a safer and more pleasant environment for all to enjoy.”

The PLA’s own fleet has earned a silver ranking under the scheme, the result of our investment in Leader, the UK’s first hybrid cutter boat, which ferries pilots to and from visiting larger ships, to ensure their safe navigation, up and down the river.

This summer, Driftwood II, a PLA vessel deployed to retrieve litter and obstructions from the river, will be fitted with a selective catalytic reduction system, to cut nitrogen oxide emissions.

At Barrier Gardens Pier in Woolwich and Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, the PLA is introducing facilities enabling vessels to plug into on-shore electrical supplies, rather than running their engines, when alongside.

It has also committed to cut carbon emissions by more than 60 per cent by 2025 and achieve Net Zero by 2040.

Other PLA initiatives to improve air quality include a ground-breaking inland vessel emissions reduction roadmap.

Port of London Authority chairman, Christopher Rodrigues CBE has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as the new non-executive chair of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Christopher Rodrigues will formally take up his new role this month (April 2021), succeeding Michael Parker, who has been MCA chairman since 2017. Mr Rodrigues’ six-year term as PLA chairman concludes on 31 December 2021. The process to recruit the next PLA chairman is already underway.

Commenting on the announcement, Christopher Rodrigues said:

“I am delighted to be taking up the role and look forward to supporting the MCA team as they adapt to the changing needs and commercial requirements of international shipping and maintain the great traditions of HM Coastguard.

“The UK is a world leading maritime nation. Ensuring that the MCA provides an effective and responsive service is central to retaining this position.”

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, added:

“Many congratulations to Christopher on his appointment as MCA chairman, building on his five years at the PLA to take up this national maritime role. We wish him well and look forward to maintaining close links, once his term as PLA chairman concludes at the end of this year.”

Christopher Rodrigues has more than 50 years’ experience across private, public and government sector roles in the UK and internationally. In addition to chairing the PLA, he is also chairman of the Royal Ballet School. His extensive experience across the travel and transport sector, includes serving as CEO of Thomas Cook, president and CEO of Visa Inc, and vice chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

James Berry, 23, from Whitstable in Kent, one of the youngest captains on the Thames, is focussed on two things this spring: returning to work on the river, post lockdown, and winning the historic Doggett’s Coat & Badge Wager on 25 June, re-arranged from last year due to the pandemic.

Rowing inspiration

“I remember watching the 2012 Thames Barge Driving Race, from Greenwich to Westminster with my Dad, brother and other family members. I loved the atmosphere of the water and the festivities of the day.

“I started rowing in November 2018, joining Kings School Rowing Club in Canterbury. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. And competing in Doggett’s was always part of the plan too. My brother competed back in 2016 and came a respectable third, after only a year of sculling. I came second in 2019. The wind made it an exceptionally tough race for all of us. I am determined to go one better this year.

“The river at Putney and above is particularly special to me, I’ve spent lots of time up there rowing and racing. It just feels so calm and serene, compared to the hustle and bustle of central London. I prefer a relaxed pace of life.

“Once you have won Doggett’s, you can’t compete again, but rowing is now part of my life. In one capacity or another, I will compete at Henley Royal Regatta one day.”

A career afloat

“When I was younger, I knew I wanted to be involved with a trade. I never knew I wanted to work on the river until I was much older.

“I joined Thames Clippers in 2013, starting at the rank of a deck customer service assistant. Currently, I am a high-speed master.

“The training has been very comprehensive, equipping me with the knowledge I need to perform my role. It covers all aspects vessel management and working in the river. The most intensive element so far was my high-speed training. The stakes definitely feel a lot higher when you’re going for that endorsement.

“My advice to anyone looking at starting a career on the Thames, is take your time. Learn everything you can, from as many people as you can. Never be afraid to ask questions.”

Covid challenges

“I was furloughed due to the pandemic. It’s been very surreal. Like many others, I’ve never really stopped like this before.

“I bought a rowing machine, so I could keep training during lockdown, I worked have hard to keep myself fit and active

“I’m excited to get back to work and have some routine again.

“Most of all, I just want to interact with my friends and family properly again. I can’t wait for social distancing and 2020 to be a bad memory.”

Training to win

“Doggett’s is important to me.

“It has been hard, trying to keep motivated, when we couldn’t get out on the water.

“It’s taught me a lot about myself and about pushing for something you’re desperate for. I’ve never truly put my mind to something like this or worked as hard before.

“Ahead of the 2019 race, I was confident in my ability and my fitness. But it just wasn’t enough. You have to take the positives out of every situation.  Looking back now, I’m glad I didn’t win. I wouldn’t be the sculler I am today if I had. I was incredibly naive in the past. I have matured and my technical ability has improved.

“The most challenging part last time was the start and dealing with my nerves. But I was very fresh and had never really faced any adversity then.

“I’ve had lots of good advice from previous competitors, I will be forever grateful for everyone’s time and effort, helping me with my rowing career.

“As well as on my days off, I’m training before my late shifts and after my early shifts.  

“The only way will be able to repay my incredible coach Jonty Williamson is by winning on 25 June.”

Quick fire

• Describe the Thames in three words: I don’t think three words does it enough justice.
• What’s top of your bucket list? Watching the Northern Lights, from a glass igloo in Norway.
• Hobbies? I am 100 per cent focussed on Doggett’s, so training takes up most of my time, right now, but I also enjoy searching Spotify playlists for up-and-coming artists. During lockdown, like many others, I also got into walking.