Government receives ‘Message in a Bottle’ to save our polluted rivers
The ECP’s Everyone’s Evenlode team joined ten students from Rushmore Primary Eco School Student Eco Committee, Dr Lidia Arciszewska (Member for the Environment, WODC) and river advocate Rosie Pearson for a meeting with Emma Hardy, Under Secretary for Water and Flooding, on Wednesday 11th December 2025.
The group journeyed along the sweeping Windrush, gentle Evenlode, the chalk stream fed Lea, and mighty Thames, carrying ‘messages in bottles’, traditionally a last hope for those who believing themselves doomed that their messages of distress will be heard and acted upon for salvation.
Parading into the DEFRA offices with willow fish and postcards in plastic bottles, the children delivered hundreds of postcard messages from frustrated communities demanding action be taken to restore England’s rivers to good health. The postcards were a plea for rescue on behalf the river, its inhabitants, and for the children of the future – all those who have no ‘voice’ of representation and everything to lose.
The children also addressed their own growing concerns around environmental decline including plastics, chemical contaminants, risk of disease, and species loss related to the governments lack of action to save English rivers. After each student finished their statement they said in unison to Minister Hardy ‘You have the power’. When the last child spoke the children said ‘You have the power and the responsibility.’
Minister Hardy took on board the messages, praised their determination and said, ‘Sometimes the best messages are simply put.’ She also reassured the children she was taking action and that there would be an important announcement on Monday.
