Why a colourful flotilla will be taking part in River Cam protest in Cambridge

Visitors to the Mill Pond in Cambridge can expect to see a colourful flotilla of punts, canoes, paddleboards and kayaks on the river on Saturday (17 May).

The flotilla, which starts at 10.30am, will be joined by singers and artists, poets and historians for a rally, calling for an end to sewage pollution of local rivers. This will be followed by a flotilla of 15-20 watercraft punting and paddling down the college Backs to King’s College.

The protesters are calling for Anglian Water to fix Haslingfield Sewage Works, and for a reformed system for Bathing Water Designation “to take account of all recreational water use, not just swimmers”. A wider demand is for a water industry regulatory system fit for purpose.

This event is part of a nationwide network of ‘paddle-out’ protests organised by Surfers Against Sewage. The Cambridge Punt and Paddle-out is organised by Cam Valley Forum in partnership with Cambridge Canoe Club and Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination (CCI) and with support from Scudamores Punting.

As they head along the Backs, the flotilla will bear CCI’s Chalk Dreams hangings, inspired by a Cambridge chalk stream and created as part of a public art project with children and their community in Abbey Ward in 2022.

Singers will sing a newly-composed song, to the tune of Coconut Woman, calling for Anglian Water to ‘Clean it up’.

The flotilla will pause in front of the King’s College Chapel where actor Chris Hudson will read a poem by poet Kaddy Benyon blessing the river, using words from the latest Anglian Water report. Historian Michael Goodhart will also say a few words about the 400-year history of swimming in the Cam.

Anne Miller, of Cam Valley Forum, said: “It is good to see the investigations that have started as a result of achieving bathing water designation for the Cam. As we suspected, these investigations have already confirmed that the majority of the faecal pollution in the Cam is due to human sewage. We are told that Anglian Water are now budgeting £20m-30m for the much-needed improvements to Haslingfield Sewage works, 5km upstream. But it’s disappointing that they’ve been given until 2028 for the work to be completed.”

She added: “We need Bathing Water Designation to take account of all recreational water users such as punts, canoes, rowers paddleboarder etc, not just swimmers. As our protest shows, punters need protection from poo too.

“We also want to see the government being bold in reforming the water industry regulation. so that we have a regulatory system that’s fit for purpose.”

Ruth Sapsed, of CCI, said: “These hangings, created with the children and young people of Abbey Ward, bring to life their deep connection to the incredibly rare chalk stream that quietly flows past their schools and homes. Through this public art project, the children explored its fragile beauty, expressing their awe through colour, texture, and storytelling.

“Their creative work is more than art - it is an urgent call to protect these precious waterways. Their voices remind us that caring for our rivers is not just a matter for policymakers and campaigners, but for entire communities, including the youngest among us.”

Myra VanInwegen, of Cambridge Canoe Club, added: “Paddlers need clean water too. It’s hard to avoid getting wet in a kayak, and you often fall in when you are trying new things. We need water that won’t make us sick!”