Midsummer Celebration of the Rights of the River Cam

On June 21st, Midsummer's Eve, around 500 people gathered to declare the Rights of the River Cam for the 6th consecutive year. Some of the context for this is provided in the two introductory talks attached here. Peter Hammond, one of the the two campaigners from the River Windrush (Windrush Against Sewage Pollution) , spoke movingly about his motivations for his work, including the death of Heather Preen as a result of E-coli poisoning, and the bravery of her mother Julie Preen (now Maughan). He and Ash Smith have worked indefatigably to reveal the levels of damage to their local river by the water companies and the Environment Agency. Their research formed the basis for the recent TV drama ‘Dirty Business’, along with Heather and Julie's story. Other speakers included Elisabeth Spain on the People’s Emergency Briefing on Nature and Climate (future screenings/discussions can be found here), and Tony Eva on Logan’s Meadow. 

The Cambridge Climate Choir and LeftyMenSing sang, along with the River Cam Pop-Up Choir, formed for the occasion by Helen East who leads Earthsong. Rebecca Stonehill read from her new novel - The River Days of Rosie Crow, and Miranda read a poem with dulcimer accompaniment from her daughter, Lyra. There was wonderful music from Lila and The Opera Trio; Monkey Shanti; 4 Tunes Friends; and Gulseven Medar and Cambridge Voices of Anatolia. The event's finale was from the rousing and fantastic Frida Violetta Band. 

A write-up of the festival can be found in the Cambridge Independent 'Hundreds support right of River Cam to exist and be protected'.