Making a Splash: A Bluetit Flock's Journey to Designated Bathing Water Status

Written by: Rebecca Mole - Coordinator, Ham & Kingston Bathers & Teddington Bluetit

It has been a whirlwind year for our stretch of the Thames at Ham and Kingston, and I am excited to share the "behind the scenes" story of our application to DEFRA for official Bathing Water Designation.

It’s been a long swim to get here. We originally geared up for an October 2024 submission, but DEFRA hit the pause button to review their criteria. Rather than treading water, we used that time to gather our strength. With a grant, secured from Surfers Against Sewage and their expert guidance, we were ready to dive back in the second the gates reopened in 2025.

The Power of the Flock

The "Mobilising of the Teddington Bluetits" was a sight to behold! Last summer’s beautiful sunshine made our official bather counts an absolute joy. We needed to prove the river is well-used, and thanks to the Teddington Bluetits and the wider community, we easily surpassed the required 100 swimmers on both counting days. Seeing families splashing alongside our hardy Bluetit regulars reminded me exactly why this matters: our river is the heart of our community.

A True Team Effort

This wasn’t a solo swim. We built a fantastic "small but mighty" working group, sharing out the task of contacting every river user group imaginable. Our local allies were incredible:

• The Council & MPs: We had a champion on the council who ensured our paperwork was watertight, and MPs from both sides of the river provided formal letters of support. We even hosted the Mayor of Kingston and his wife for a Sunday morning meet-and-greet with the flock!

• The YMCA: Our neighbors at the Hawker Centre (only 100m from our spot!) have generously offered their facilities to support the bid.

• River users: We share our stretch of river and the river bank with paddle-boarders, kayakers, anglers, sailors, skiffs, rowers, youth groups, walkers, runners and cyclists.  All groups responded to our call for support.

• Our Teddington Bluetit Founder: Marlene has taken every opportunity to keep our river in the headlines.  Interviews with local and national press are a regular occurrence (Always accompanied by her trolley and cake!)

By the Numbers

To show DEFRA just how much we care, and as part of the application criteria, we ran a public consultation. The results were staggering:

502 responses received—and 500 of them were in full support. We also used some of our grant money for water testing. While some results were excellent, others highlighted exactly why we need this designation: to ensure regular monitoring and a clear plan for a cleaner, safer river for everyone.

The Final Push

The actual application was a mammoth task. While most were enjoying their October half-term, I was submerged in 23 pages of supporting evidence—maps, historical references, and photos—plus a whopping 126 pages of community comments. After many long days and late-night redrafts, it was finally submitted.

I have been absolutely blown away by the local interest and the passion shown. This designation would mean the Environment Agency must monitor the water quality and, crucially, investigate sources of pollution. It’s about protecting this blue space we love for generations to come.

Now, we wait for DEFRA’s decision—but whatever the outcome, the way this community has rallied together is already a huge win.

See you in the water!