17. The Annual Water Walk, October 10, 2021

Despite a wet start at midday at the Guildhall, 26 walkers set off to visit 16 fountains in the City of London, to raise money for the Water Conservation Trust’s schools’ education programme. The thing that impressed most walkers is how few fountains still worked. But, we were spoiled at the start, with a new ‘Plastic Free City Campaign’ drinking water refill fountain in Cheapside followed by the St Lawrence Jewry and St Mary Magdalene fountain, south of St Pauls, where both worked. The latter was situated in Guildhall before being restored and relocated 2010.

The walkers at St Lawrence Jewry and St Mary Magdalene fountain

From here we managed to walk some seven miles within the City’s square mile in search of 14 more – from Holborn to Aldgate, from Blackfriars to Finsbury Square. Ably led by Deputy Master, Rob Casey, with the Master as rear-guard, we didn’t lose anybody – well, not for long, anyway!

The result, apart from the disappointing number of active fountains in the City, was the raising of some £2,000 for the schools’ programme. The other equally good result was the bringing together of so many walkers from the Membership and spouses, friends, and two MSc students form the Masters course the Trust supports at Queen Mary University.

The learning for next year – better weather, a slightly shorter course, and another opportunity to be with friends looking at watery things in the City.

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