‘The Thames is like a natural lung through my life’ says artist Rebecca Howard, whose paintings are exhibited in ‘Our River Thames’ at the Royal Berkshire Archives in Reading.
This wonderful exhibition spotlights the ways people have managed the river, from cutting new channels to avoid the river’s meandering bends and making flash locks in the 1200s, through to modern hydro-electric schemes of the 21st century. Many people today walk and run on the Thames Path National Trail, appreciating the tranquillity of the ‘blue space’.
For centuries the River Thames has been used by landowners and millowners for trade. It was the M4 of its time carrying tons of coal, timber, wool and corn. It was the source of power to drive water mills grinding wheat and barley for flour and to make beer.
The Thames Conservancy was set up in 1751 to bring regulation and flood management to the river. Curators at the Royal Berkshire Archives delved into their collection of the Thames Conservancy’s detailed accounts and books to illustrate the exhibition.
Recordings add to the fascinating displays. Listen to fascinating description of working beside the river from Mildred Cookson, miller at Mapledurham Watermill. Wild swimmer Gemma Mould and artist Rebecca Howard describe how the river has changed their lives and brings them so much enjoyment.
Tom Christie, who spent his whole career working on the River Thames, describes the dramatic collapse of Chertsey Weir in 1955, and describes his work as Navigation Secretary for the Conservancy, and later the National Rivers Authority.
‘Our River Thames’ is open Tuesday to Fridays until 29 August, details here: https://www.royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/news/article/our-river-thames-exhibition-now-open
