Teddington Bluetits

The Teddington Bluetits are a group of open water swimmers who have been instrumental in advocating for safe and accessible swimming in the River Thames. Their efforts have contributed to the recent designation of the Thames at Ham in south-west London as the first official bathing water area on the river. This designation, which marks the start of the bathing season, comes after campaigners gathered evidence of significant public use of the river for swimming. However, recent news has brought attention to potential risks, with warnings issued about toxic blue-green algae at the new bathing site. These algal blooms, exacerbated by extreme heat, low river flow, and nutrient pollution, pose a health concern. The Teddington Bluetits' ongoing advocacy is therefore highly relevant as they champion the use of the Thames for recreation while simultaneously highlighting the need for improved water quality and safety measures to ensure the river is truly swimmable.