Probably Other Goals and Priority Actions Needed? More user friendly mooring facilities for private leisure boaters. Response No.36 On Monday I spoke to a group of primary school children doing some work on the Thames Path in Fulham - many questions and a lot of interest, but when I asked how many had sailed on the river,only a few hands went up. This led me to think about the educational/learning aspect relating to the river and I couldn't find any reference in the Vision consultation papers. There is a section on Community and Culture, but the emphasis is on adult visitors - no mention of children or education. Are we missing an opportunity here? We want Londoners to appreciate the river and what it offers, we encourage participation in water sports and visitors to ""cultural sites"", but I would argue that it's important to start doing this at an early age - through education. There are a number of bodies with educational remits, some supported by the PLA - eg. Thames Learning Group, Thames Explorer Trust, Thames 21, Ahoy Centre, River Thames Boat Project. As far as I'm aware only the last two groups offer trips for young people but with a limit of 12 passengers, not really of benefit to schools, who also generally can't afford to hire one of the commercial trip boats. Suggestions - That the importance of education concerning the river is recognised in the Vision, with the PLA doing what it can to mentor/ facilitate existing and new providers and That the importance of organised river trips for schoolchildren is recognised, again with the PLA seeking to facilitate new vessels and facilities for this purpose.
Probably Other Goals and Priority Actions Needed? More user friendly mooring facilities for private leisure boaters. Response No.36 On Monday I spoke to a group of primary school children doing some work on the Thames Path in Fulham - many questions and a lot of interest, but when I asked how many had sailed on the river,only a few hands went up. This led me to think about the educational/learning aspect relating to the river and I couldn't find any reference in the Vision consultation papers. There is a section on Community and Culture, but the emphasis is on adult visitors - no mention of children or education. Are we missing an opportunity here? We want Londoners to appreciate the river and what it offers, we encourage participation in water sports and visitors to ""cultural sites"", but I would argue that it's important to start doing this at an early age - through education. There are a number of bodies with educational remits, some supported by the PLA - eg. Thames Learning Group, Thames Explorer Trust, Thames 21, Ahoy Centre, River Thames Boat Project. As far as I'm aware only the last two groups offer trips for young people but with a limit of 12 passengers, not really of benefit to schools, who also generally can't afford to hire one of the commercial trip boats. Suggestions - That the importance of education concerning the river is recognised in the Vision, with the PLA doing what it can to mentor/ facilitate existing and new providers and That the importance of organised river trips for schoolchildren is recognised, again with the PLA seeking to facilitate new vessels and facilities for this purpose.
goalspriorityactionconsultationsummary.docx