Lore of the Lea
Stories, places and memories that make our river. In Lore of the Lea, women and non-binary boaters living on the River Lea share their thoughts on life on the move, in the places they feel most connected to.
Together, we reflect on how we connect to places, on community, mental health, sharing of resources and knowledge, feminism, and how landscapes and nature inform our personal and collective memory and identity.
“I love learning about local history, that's why I love being on the river and moving. You just learn so much about different areas. You kind of see the back side of London a lot.”
“As a boater, nature is such a big part of my life. I don’t think I could live anywhere but on a boat. It feels like entering a secret, magical world. I love not being near any cars. The sounds, smells, water, nature – a perfect balance.”
“I draw a lot of inspiration for my music from my surroundings. It’s the seasons, the times of day, the way that a spot can be different every time. Everything is inspiring that close to nature.”
“For a long time before I got my boat I used to say ‘The Lea is calling me!’ I think that’s when I started treating it as an entity, as an individual living thing rather than just water. It is really sad that the Lea is one of the most polluted rivers in Europe.”
“Boatwomen have an amazing, inherent bond that exists all the time, like an underlying strength and comfort. I always feel connected to the community even when I’m on my own. There’s a shorthand of trust that comes through shared experience and a sense of being part of something bigger than yourself.”
“I have been collecting anchors for a couple of years now. It’s usually a tree for me. An anchor is a piece of nature that you go to when you are feeling overwhelmed and need a good silent friend to talk things over with in an unspoken language.”
Exhibition in a toolbox
