The River Darent
A groundwater-fed chalk stream which creates an unusually diverse habitat for wildlife and is a beautiful spot for wild swimming.
The River: A short film about a small and precious chalk river in Kent, the Darent. Part poem, part history re-imagined, it tells its story going back 100 million years and sheds light on its fragile existence today.
Written and narrated by Deborah Wolton.
Made by Temujen Gunawardena and Badj Whipple.
Sound design Jonah Brody
The Darent River Preservation Society is committed to restoring and preserving the health of the Darent, its catchment and tributaries, its flora and fauna. Find out how to get involved at www.darent-drips.org.uk
“Lockdown 2020 was a strange time, our lives changed. For us the Darent came into focus, full of life and sounds, no longer just a river flowing past.
Since the early 1970s it’s been clear that too much water is being taken from the river for our use and invasive species are damaging native wildlife. The river is in trouble.
The local community have been working for 50 years to save it. This film is an ode to the Darent and a call for help. This might be our last chance.” Deborah Wolton
Funders
The production of this animation was supported by the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme (DVLPS), Kent Downs National Landscape and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Fed by springs from the greensand hills south of Westerham in Kent the river flows 21 miles east through Otford and Shoreham village and eventually to the Thames at Long Reach.
We are very lucky at The Quadrangle to have an unusually deep part of the river running through our land. There are steps down into in it both from the Forest Garden Field and the vegetable garden and it’s clean and very safe for wild swimming and great fun for children in the warmer months.
