In order to help prevent the loss and closure by the Environment Agency of the historic Edwardian campsite at Shiplake Lock Island as reported in last week's Henley Standard, it would be good to write to MP Freddie van Mierlo,  freddie.vanmierlo.mp@parliament.uk

 

There is no other campsite like this along the Thames, or in the UK and the EA clearly have not taken into consideration the importance of this campsite with its unique heritage. Not only do the plot holders continue to uphold and teach successive generations about camping under ridge pole tents, as well as traditional boat skills, but they also look after the natural environment. The Island is currently in a dreadful state,  having been left derelict, subject to fly-tipping, break-ins and damage and the historic boats left to rot. (Also, entries to Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta were down this year as the Islanders are not able to camp).

 

Dismantling and discarding this unique community will not benefit the wider public. In fact, opening the site for commercial use will have a detrimental effect on the local community with the limited parking available and loss of engagement with local businesses and not least, danger to life through lack of knowledge and respect of the river and the weir!

 

The Environment Agency need to halt immediaely their appalling planned irreverisble destruction of the historic campsite. The BBC Oxford website quoted the Environment Agency as being "committed to the heritage and history of Shiplake Island and will continue to work closely with former licence-holders about the site’s future."  However, they clearly have chosen not to work closely with the plot holders and if the existing plot holders are evicted and the campsite dismantled, the heritage and history will be lost permanently.