Public invited to celebrate the River Plym and its communities in Plymouth

Residents and visitors are invited to a unique public celebration of the River Plym, its rich wildlife, and the communities along its banks. The event, part of the River Plym Project, is a collaboration between Barbican Theatre Plymouth, Devon Wildlife Trust, and Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, with support from the University of Plymouth. Funding for the project comes from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Blue Spaces programme, which encourages local communities to creatively care for their local water bodies.

The free events will take place at Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre on the evenings of Friday, August 23rd, and Saturday, August 24th. The celebrations, inspired by the River Plym's natural beauty, will feature performances by local artists, the unveiling of a new art installation, a specially commissioned dance film, and a play written by local playwright Chris Swabey, performed by members of the theatre’s Adults Acting Group. The event will also include talks by Dr. Neil Williams, a pioneer of the Rights of Nature Network in the UK, and Robert Mountjoy, a local artist whose work focuses on the lesser-known aspects of the River Plym.

Light refreshments will be available, and attendees can purchase additional food and drinks from BBar, an authentic Thai Noodle Bar located within the venue. While the events are free, attendees must register for tickets in advance at Barbican Theatre’s website.

The River Plym flows from Dartmoor through Plymouth and into the sea. The River Plym Project aims to connect local communities with the river, encouraging them to appreciate and protect the natural environment on their doorstep. Since January, the project team has worked with diverse communities throughout the river’s catchment area, gathering stories and artistic expressions about what the river means to them. These contributions will be showcased during the celebration at the Barbican Theatre.

One prominent theme that emerged from these community meetings was the desire to grant the River Plym and its wildlife legal rights to protection. Sally Burne, Community Engagement Lead at the Barbican Theatre, noted: “Local people were eager to discuss who could advocate for the river and its wildlife when they cannot speak for themselves. This is where communities that understand and cherish the river’s value to biodiversity, as well as to human health and well-being, can step in and lead positive change.”

Peter Burgess, Director of Nature Recovery at Devon Wildlife Trust, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating: “Our rivers and wetlands are more than just beautiful places—they are the lifeblood of our ecosystems and essential to life on Earth. As we face increasing challenges to our rivers, we must explore innovative ways to ensure their resilience. This project, with community backing, could lead to rivers being granted rights that ensure their protection for future generations.”

Elaine Hayes, CEO of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, added: “This project is very dear to me. Changing how we treat our rivers is a crucial step in our efforts to restore nature.”

The River Plym Project’s celebration promises to be a meaningful and engaging event, highlighting the deep connection between the river and the communities it supports.