Local
College Housemaster Swims to Save The Radley Lakes
[posted
14/09/2007]
Celebrating
his recent Channel swim, Radley College Housemaster
Angus McChesney swam a one kilometre stretch of the
River Thames through Abingdon, on Sunday, to support
the cause of Save Radley Lakes who are trying to prevent
the destruction of a cherished local lake by RWE npower,
operators of the nearby Didcot ‘A' Power Station.
The event gave out the unmistakable message that the
Power Company's behaviour in this matter is unacceptable,
and their customers should show this by switching
to another supplier.
Supported
by a flotilla of 3 boats, a kayak, a catamaran and
a dory, decked with bunting and placards, and to the
sound of cheering and (Swedish) foghorns, local cross-channel
swimmer, Angus McChesney, completed the 1km course
from Abingdon Lock to St Helen's Wharf, just beyond
the confluence with the Ock, in just 20 minutes. This
was faster than anyone was able to follow on foot.
On board one of the boats was the Save Radley Lakes
Water Vole, complete with life-jacket. (Health and
Safety dictates that even water voles, despite being
excellent swimmers, are required to wear these!).
The event finally ended with a well earned drink at
The Anchor Inn.
Reflecting
on Angus' impressive cross-channel swim, in which
he collected over £40,000 for a leukaemia charity,
Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Lorraine Oates, who
presented Angus with a bottle of champagne afterwards,
said
Indeed
this was borne out by the appearance of no fewer than
six local councillors to cheer Angus on his way. Also,
the people on each bank donated generously towards
the Save Radley Lakes legal fund, and the three boats,
crews and other assistance were kindly provided by
local people and groups, including Abingdon School
Rowing Club and Abingdon's Abbey Sailing Club.
Noting the
shadowy form of Didcot power station looming in the
distance, at the finish of his swim, Angus reminded
us how its management has been very successful with
ash recycling, even recycling more than they produced
last year.
“If
RWE ruin this much loved wildlife resource during
the last few years of Didcot A, risking flooding,
they will be doing something which no other major
power company in this country finds acceptable. RWE
will lose face when their competitors, including Scottish
Power, Drax and E.ON have policies to avoid such waste.”
Save
Radley Lakes claims that recycling ash at Didcot could
save up to 250,000 tonnes of CO 2 each year, but not
if they throw it in the lake.
