Summer holiday fun sees families travel by train and boat before reeling in some fantastic fish litter artwork

Fishing for Change invites families to travel by train from their nearby station, before experiencing a Bristol harbourside boat tour and then boarding a litter-picking craft.

Collected litter is then formed into an array of fishes before being separated and sent for recycling.

It’s all part of a collaborative project designed to help clean up Bristol’s waterways, supported by Sustainable Hive, Severnside Community Rail Partnership, Crimestoppers and Bristol Community Ferry Boats.

The project received a £9,915 grant from Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund to help provide seven outings this summer.

The first of those took place from Avonmouth station on Wednesday and saw a litter fish created at the Young Bristol Activity Centre in Mardyke Wharf.

Jo Taylor, Co-Founder of Sustainable Hive CIC, which owns the SeaCycler litter-picking craft, said:

“We’re extremely grateful for this funding from Great Western Railway, which will help us to offer free family day trips that combine fun and improving our local waterways.

“We hope our ferry and train ride home is full of smiles and a great sense of satisfaction, knowing they have helped improve the waterways and prevent waste heading out to sea.”

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee at Bristol City Council, said:

“As the school summer holidays begin, it is fantastic to see a project which allows families to explore Bristol in a different way, while helping to make a positive difference to our waterfront.

“I encourage all families to take part in this activity and thank Great Western Railway, Bristol Community Ferry Boats and other organisations across the city for supporting this project.”

As part of GWR’s National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport, GWR is committed to supporting schools, colleges, councils, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.

GWR’s Flagship Station Manager for the Bristol area, Alex Hills, said:

“The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level. 

“We were delighted to support this particular initiative, which not only encourages people to leave the car at home and travel by more sustainable means, but will also help to clean up Bristol harbourside, which is such a popular destination for our customers.”

Severnside Community Rail Partnership Manager, Heather Cullimore, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the Fishing for Change project and hope families taking part will continue to choose to travel by train and other forms of sustainable, healthy transport after this experience. 

“The summer holiday is a long stretch to keep children occupied, and often day trips become very expensive, but thanks to funding from GWR and Community Rail Network this activity is offered free of charge, which is a real bonus to those lucky enough to take part.”

Further trips are planned, starting from the following GWR stations:

26 July: Lawrence Hill

30 and 31 July: Sea Mills

6 August: Stapleton Road

20 and 22 August: Oldfield Park

21 August: Parson Street

2 September: Shirehampton

At each station, families will be met by their guide for the day before travelling to Bristol Temple Meads. From there they hop aboard a Bristol Community Ferry Boat for a tour of the harbourside.

In the city centre they will meet the skipper of SeaCycler, a nine-seater craft made from recycled plastic bottles and one of only six of its kind in the world.

After heading out on a litter-picking challenge on the water, families return to dry land, check the litter and sort for recycling before heading home using the ferry and train.

Their guide for the day will assist with all elements of the journey and activities, all of which are free of charge. Visit fishingforchange.co.uk to find out dates and times and to book your space.