An annual angling event which helps gauge the environmental health of the tidal Thames saw six different species of fish netted.

The 44th Thames Fishery Research Experiment, on the foreshore near our Denton base, saw more than 60 anglers and eight teams take part.

Organised by the City of London Corporation and Environment Agency, the ever-popular four-hour ‘competition’ was first held in 1973 and this year’s Schools Trophy was sponsored by us. Sponsorship was

also provided by Thames Water and Tideway. Less fish were hauled in than at last year’s event, which organisers say may have been due to milder weather.

Points were awarded according to numbers, size and species of fish caught, and this year that total came to 135 and included: sole, pouting, bass, eel, flounder and whiting.

The adult team that netted most

points on the day was Essex County Anglers, who won the Lady Howard Trophy.

The Schools Trophy went to

City of London School for Girls. PLA director of planning and environment Jim Trimmer said: said: “The experiment is a fine tradition on the river and was a lot of fun as always. Unusually high temperatures caused by a late autumn may have been the cause of fewer cod and whiting. That probably meant a lower number fish overall and fewer kinds of fish being caught.”

A global search for a bright idea to light

up 17 London bridges has finally produced
a winner.

New York artist Leo Villareal and a team of architects will create a permanent 'interactive' installation from Tower Bridge to Albert Bridge, at a cost of £20 million. The installation uses computer wizardry to subtly change colour and tone according to the ebb and flow of the tidal Thames. Villareal is famous for creating a similar work on San Francisco's Bay Bridge.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the winner earlier this month. The Illuminated River project saw more than 100 entries and was supported by the PLA.