Our First Clean River Action Walk: Sunshine, Community and a Shared Determination for Change

Last weekend as the sun shone, we set out on our very first Clean River Action walk . A gentle route from Aylestone Meadows to Everards Meadow which would allow us some time by the mighty River Soar.

What struck us most wasn’t just the heat (and it was hot), but the energy. People arrived early, smiling, curious, ready to talk, ready to learn, ready to act. We were joined by like‑minded volunteers from other environmental groups across Leicestershire, and even our local Community Support Officer, who walked with us to understand the issues first-hand. That mix of voices, campaigners, and local support is exactly how change begins.

Walking the Soar, Talking About the Future

As we followed the river and canal through Aylestone Meadows, the conversations flowed as easily.

We talked about sewage discharges, pollution hotspots, citizen science, river testing, and the gaps in the data that communities are now stepping up to expose. People shared their own experiences and why their waterway is so important to them.

By the time we reached Everards Meadow, the group were swapping ideas, planning future involvement, and asking how they could help push for accountability.

Why This Walk Matters

This wasn’t just a walk. It was the first step in building a community that refuses to look away from what’s happening to our waterways.

Clean River Action started only weeks ago, but already the momentum is real. People want transparency, they want evidence and they want action.

Seeing people turn up on a bank holiday weekend tells us everything we need to know about the appetite for change in Leicester.

What’s Next

This walk is the beginning. We’ll be organising more events, more evidence‑gathering, more opportunities for people to get involved. The rivers, tribs, streams and brooks need us and after Saturday, it’s clear we have a community ready to stand up for them.

If you joined us, thank you. If you missed this one, there will be plenty more chances to get involved. Our next event “River Testing Demo” is coming very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

Together, we can build a cleaner, safer, healthier future for our rivers.