Friends of the River Kelvin

Discover our History and more about the River Kelvin, who our Volunteers and Trustees are and FORK’s base at Ha’penny Bridge House on the Lower Kelvin Walkway.

FORK HISTORY

Friends of the River Kelvin (FORK) started in 1991 when a group of friends got together to enjoy and explore the River Kelvin. In 1999 the group founded a charity to care for the River Kelvin and it’s surroundings. Over the years FORK has run monthly clean-ups, citizen science projects and also many music and arts events, community festivals, planted trees, monitored the river and run campaigns. The charity became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2020 and we intend to build on the legacy of those Friends before us.

RIVER KELVIN

Many people have found - at any time of year - a walk along the Kelvin is simply one of the most rewarding experiences Glasgow has to offer.

But did you know it’s only in recent years that the River Kelvin and its banks have become treasured as a rich, natural habitat for wildlife and a place of unspoiled beauty?

Nowadays, in the heart of the City:

Fish such as salmon and trout have returned.
Trees and shrubs are providing cover for birds such as kingfishers, herons, cormorants, dippers and ducks.
Many plants - including rare species - flourish along the river banks

The River Kelvin provides a unique environment in Glasgow - which continuously needs to be protected, preserved and improved.

FORK ensures the River Kelvin is kept healthy via our activities and often work with other groups who are active on the Kelvin, including; Glasgow City Council departments, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), RSPB, The Conservation Volunteers, local businesses, schools and colleges.

River Kelvin Wikipedia entry.

FORK VOLUNTEERS

We rely greatly on the support of our dedicated and passionate volunteers, whether regular attendees of our monthly river clean ups or supporting a particular activity, project or partnership.

You can volunteer by:

Joining a river clean up taking place on the first Saturday of every month. For more information on river clean-ups visit our Instagram and Facebook accounts
Or contact us for details (or suggestions) for other volunteering opportunities.

FORK TRUSTEES

Our Trustees, all FORK Members, are responsible for upholding FORK’s charitable purposes and representing its Membership. They manage FORK’s affairs and activities, including membership, property, funds, strategy and policies.

Chris Biddlecombe (Founder Trustee)
Chris is an independent artist and creative project manager developing mixed media installations and public interventions that explore social and environmental issues and hidden histories. He has extensive experience working with a variety of communities in Scotland and Europe, and considers collaboration and the open sharing of information as vital creative tools. Having access to the flickering changing moods of the River Kelvin in the busy city is a constant source of calm and playful inspiration.
Alan Bradford (Founder Trustee)
Alan is now retired but formerly worked in marketing and communications in various private and public sector organisations. He is lucky to live only a five-minute walk from the Kelvin and his involvement with FORK over the past few years has provided him with the chance to rekindle his lifelong interest in nature. Recently, Alan has been involved in running FORK’s river invertebrate survey programme, monitoring the health of the Kelvin and its capacity to support local wildlife.

Sally Johnston (Chair, Founder Trustee)
Sally's love of kingfishers and herons led her to the river where she met Friends of the River Kelvin and became an active member. Bringing her experience of running events and community engagement she's keen to get others involved to protect and improve the river and it's surroundings for future generations.
Fred Carrick (Treasurer, Trustee)
Fred has worked in financial services for over twenty years and draws on this experience to serve FORK. Living and working in Glasgow City, he is a keen photographer and lover of nature. He is ever grateful to have the beauty of the River Kelvin and its parks so close to hand.
Helen Voce (Secretary, Founder Trustee)
Helen draws on her project management and production experience supporting craftspeople and designers with their creative and professional development in her role at FORK. A former resident of Glasgow’s west end she was a regular visitor to and cyclist / commuter through Kelvingrove Park, making much use of the Kelvin Walkway.

Trustees are elected from the FORK Membership at General Meetings.

HA'PENNY BRIDGE HOUSE

Ha'penny Bridge House has been FORK's home since 1998. It is located on the Lower Kelvin Walkway, below Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

Currently, Ha’Penny Bridge House is primarily a base for our voluntary environmental interventions, including our monthly river clean ups and maintaining the land and wildlife surrounding the building.

We are mustering resources to refurbish Ha’Penny Bridge House to provide a sustainable, flexible venue for FORK and our community, so as to continue our provision of events, including citizen scientist workshops, music and theatre performances, celebrations, workshops and galas.

If you’d like to support FORK with our endeavours at Ha’Penny Bridge House, you can donate and / or sponsor, volunteer or get in touch.