With all ‘out and about’ activities suspended because of the Coronavirus Pandemic, here is a wonderful chance for one lucky RTS member to own a unique wooden table 'The Silver River' featuring the River Thames in silver leaf and for all those who buy tickets to help an important River Thames charity.
About the table
Mike Orme has carved the river from source to sea in this beautiful table of Sheesham wood, illuminated in silver leaf, 1400 mm long, 465 mm wide and 455 mm high.
​
River Thames Society
About Us
The River Thames Society was formed in 1962 to conserve the river for future generations and represents all river users whether they be fishermen, walkers, boat owners or just interested in its very rich history, traditions, flora and fauna.
​
The Society is a membership organisation and registered charity (no. 288380).
The aims of the Society are:
-
To protect the natural beauty of the river, adjacent lands and buildings of historical and architectural interest and to promote nature conservation;
-
To preserve and extend amenities and to encourage the use of the river for all purposes.
-
To support and contribute to the efforts of other organisations associated with the River Thames;
The Society is represented on
-
the Port of London Authority's River Users' Consultative Forums,
-
the Environment Agency's Thames Waterways Forum
-
River User Groups
-
Thames Path Partnership
-
Many other river-connected bodies
River Thames Society Rules and Organisation
​
The Society operates in accordance with the Rules.
​
​
Society Officials
​
President: Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE
Vice-Presidents:
Lady Borwick, Mark Edwards MBE, Sir David Suchet CBE
Chairman
Peter Finch
Hon Treasurer
John Tamsitt
Vice-Chairman - Tidal
Hilary Pereira
Vice-Chairman – Non Tidal
Abigail Reynolds
River Warden Co-ordinator - Tidal
Peter Finch
River Warden Co-ordinators - Non-Tidal
Contact Branch Chairmen.
​
Barge Master
Roy Miller
Editor Thames Guardian
Ross Stokes,
r.stokes@wwonline.co.uk
​
Web Manager
Peter Hall
Administrator
Helen Batten - Tel: 01491 612456
admin@riverthamessociety.org.uk
​
Thames Path Sign
Source at Thames Head
Shepperton Lock Island
Marlow Weir
Royal Rowbarge Gloriana
The River Thames in Central London
Barge Race
Annual General Meeting
The Society's 63rd AGM was held on Saturday April 26th 2025 at the Community Centre, Staines-upon-Thames.
The Chairman welcomed members, including Vice-President Lady Borwick and went on to introduce the Annual Report.
The minutes of the 2024 AGM were endorsed and the accounts for the year 2023/2024 were presented by Independent Examiner Ian Anderson and Honorary Treasurer John Tamsitt and then approved. Members went on to reappoint Ian Anderson and Company Secretary/ Honorary Solicitor Guy Barlow for a further year.
​
The Chairman thanked the President, Robert Van de Noort for his support during the year, which included an article on flood-risk management in the Society’s magazine and Victoria Borwick for her assistance on many issues.
The Branch Chairmen were endorsed as ex officio Directors and Council members : Robert Heavens – Upper Thames, Greg Wilkinson – Middle Thames, Roy Miller – Teddington to Old Windsor, Hilary Pereira – Upper Tideway, Peter Finch – Central Tideway & Estuary.
Of the nine Elective Directors, the three-year terms of office had expired for Rupert Bagilhole, Jack Betteridge, Peter Hall, Jackie Lambert, Gillian Rix and John Tamsitt.
Rupert, Jack, Jackie and Gillian were not standing again and the Chairman thanked them for all their work and support while on the Council.
Peter Hall , John Tamsitt and Mike Sullivan were duly nominated and seconded and endorsed by the meeting and join continuing Council members Tom Berman, David Lambert and Abigail Reynolds. The Chairman noted that this left three vacant places, which could be filled during the year by co-opted members and asked that anyone interested should get in touch.
A number of items were raised by members under Any Other Business, including the work of the Environment Agency and the need for additional funding, closed bridges affecting the Thames Path, liaising with MPs on issues such as pollution and local planning, recruiting new members and strengthening the Society’s presence along the river.
The meeting concluded with the annual awards after which our Administrator and Membership Secretary Helen Batten was thanked for her work during the year and the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and hoped the river and its activities would be enjoyed during the months to come.
Thank you
Thank you to our Members who have contributed material and photographs for our website including: Alix Horne (Amax Designs - maps), Sue Milton (Thames Cards), Peter Finch, Peter Hall, David Lomax.
The Legal Information
The River Thames Society is a registered charity no. 288380; company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 1747301. Registered office: Beaumont House, 28 Beaumont Road, Windsor SL4 1JP
​
​
​