River Hope

An emerging grassroots movement in Stratford-on-Avon District

Nurturing relationships with our local water ecosystems through creativity, ceremony and action

About River Hope

River Hope is an emerging grassroots movement focused on the water catchments of the rivers Avon, Arrow and Stour in South Warwickshire. Through a community-led participatory process, it brings people together to explore creativity, reflection and celebration, and to better protect our local water bodies and all their biodiversity. Join us as we weave love, memory and stewardship for thriving ecosystems and sustainable communities.

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River Hope Ripples Logo

Get involved

Here’s how you can get involved in River Hope activities and events across Stratford-on-Avon District in 2025.

First Ripple sessions

First conceived in October 2024, River Hope is a community participatory process in an embryonic state of emergence. So far it receives no funding, is not an established organisation and …

Our emerging groups: photography

Photographing water is more than just capturing it as part of the landscape.  Whether streaming from a spring, collecting in pools, or flowing in rivers, water is ancient and elemental. …

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Events

Discover upcoming River Hope events across Stratford-on-Avon District, bringing communities together to celebrate and protect our waterways.

'Ocean' screening opens the 2025 Big Picture Film Festival

'Ocean' screening opens the 2025 Big Picture Film Festival

Thursday 28 August 2025    
19:30 - 21:00
This year's Big Picture Film Festival in Stratford-Upon-Avon opens with a screening of 'Ocean', with David Attenborough. Join us for this stunning documentary exploring the [...]
'Flow' screening in the Big Picture Film Festival

'Flow' screening in the Big Picture Film Festival

Saturday 30 August 2025    
11:00 - 12:00
The Big Picture Film Festival 2025 comes to Stratford-Upon-Avon between 28-31 August.  Along with the Live and Local team, @netzerostratford and Welcome Here: Stratford-upon-Avon, River Hope [...]
Writing water

Writing water

Tuesday 16 September 2025    
10:30 - 13:00
This water-themed series of six creative writing workshops will explore our feelings, memories and experiences of the different states of water and water bodies near [...]
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Blog

Explore River Hope’s stories, insights, and reflections on our local water bodies, wildlife and ecosystems.

Water springs to life

Photographing water in spring captures its role as a source of renewal and vitality. As winter’s grip loosens, our rivers flow with renewed vigour, reflecting the season’s awakening.  Spring’s arrival …

Manuela Perteghella MP joins our First Ripples Session

At our First Ripples session on Saturday March 8, we were delighted to be joined by our Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon District, Manuela Perteghella. MP Perteghella has long been …

Our winter waters

The photographers working with River Hope are collaborating year-round to take pictures and videos, produce new works and draw out themes and moods from their own portfolios. Some of their …

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Elsewhere

See what is making ripples beyond South Warwickshire, from other UK initiatives to global movements.

River Rescue Kit

RiverActionUK recently published its River Rescue Kit. Using a clear and easy-to-follow format, the River Rescue Kit: Several informative videos are available, including those below on: Have a look, use …

“Riversong”: a poem by Robert Macfarlane

River Hope celebrates the power of creativity, including through verse, to inspire, move and mobilize. Robert Macfarlane is a celebrated Nature writer, Professor of English Literature and the Environmental Humanities …

World Water Day: 22 March

UN Water is the United Nations agency dedicated to water and sanitation. It publishes a flagship report every year on World Water Day, exploring the same theme as World Water …

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