LIfe on the lea: spring and summer Workshops
What do you wish you’d known when you started boating? Zine-making workshop
16th April 7-9pm, Leaside
This is a workshop to explore and collate tips and hacks for new and old boaters. What’s the best advice you’ve received? Something you wish you’d found out sooner?
We will explore this theme through collage and zine making to make some zine pages, which will then be collated to be included in The Boaters Handbook to pass on knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the community.
This series of zine-making workshops invites members of the boating community to come together to discuss the joys and challenges of living on the water and creatively record our experiences and knowledge. Over the sessions we will explore the following themes before setting our ideas down in zine pages through collage and illustration:
What do you wish you'd known about boating?
How can we support one another as a community
Your favourite thing about boatingsharing stories + wisdom
This is an opportunity to meet other boaters who are passionate about the community, and be an exciting community project aiming to improve the lives of boaters across the Lea and beyond.
Tilly is a workshop facilitator, illustrator, social justice practitioner, and zine maker. Tilly is the founder + editor of Fear Naut, a publication highlighting the creativity and experience of women and nonbinary folk in the boating community.
Book your place here: https://luma.com/5xk4qcdg
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Windlass holster / belt making workshop
19th April 12-3pm, YHA Lee Valley
Why buy a new belt or windlass holster when you can make one yourself? Do you like reusing and bit of mad max fashion - or do you just not want to leave your windlass on a lock or drop it in the river?
Yann will help you make a belt or a windlass holster from old bike tyres! He is a boater with many years of experience of reusing and recycling everything - some might call him a cheapskate, he would call himself an innovator, but this workshop encapsulates the DIY spirit so many of us love about boating. Yann has previously run this workshop on the craft boat.
Feel free to bring your favourite dead tyre but don’t worry, we have plenty to choose from. All materials are provided.
This workshop takes place at the Cohen meeting room at YHA Lee Valley.
Book your place here: https://luma.com/0okhk6s4
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
How do we build community as boaters? Zine-making workshop
6th May 7-9 Leaside
This is a workshop to explore best practice. What are the rules or agreements we should stick to to best support the community as whole? How should we treat each other? Boating etiquette, but also ways to build community and friendships on the river.
We will explore this theme through collage and zine making to make some zine pages, which will then be collated to be included in The Boaters Handbook to pass on knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the community.
This series of zine-making workshops invites members of the boating community to come together to discuss the joys and challenges of living on the water and creatively record our experiences and knowledge. Over the sessions we will explore the following themes before setting our ideas down in zine pages through collage and illustration:
What do you wish you'd known about boating?
How can we support one another as a community
Your favourite thing about boatingsharing stories + wisdom
This is an opportunity to meet other boaters who are passionate about the community, and be an exciting community project aiming to improve the lives of boaters across the Lea and beyond.
Tilly is a workshop facilitator, illustrator, social justice practitioner, and zine maker. Tilly is the founder + editor of Fear Naut, a publication highlighting the creativity and experience of women and nonbinary folk in the boating community.
Book your place here: https://luma.com/dl0pvkxx
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
What do you love about boating? Zine-making workshop
28th May 7-9pm, Leaside
This is a workshop to explore the joys of boating: to reflect on memories, share stories, and share the best things about this community and lifestyle.
We will explore this theme through collage and zine making to make some zine pages, which will then be collated to be included in The Boaters Handbook to pass on knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the community.
This series of zine-making workshops invites members of the boating community to come together to discuss the joys and challenges of living on the water and creatively record our experiences and knowledge. Over the sessions we will explore the following themes before setting our ideas down in zine pages through collage and illustration:
What do you wish you'd known about boating?
How can we support one another as a community
Your favourite thing about boatingsharing stories + wisdom
This is an opportunity to meet other boaters who are passionate about the community, and be an exciting community project aiming to improve the lives of boaters across the Lea and beyond.
Tilly is a workshop facilitator, illustrator, social justice practitioner, and zine maker. Tilly is the founder + editor of Fear Naut, a publication highlighting the creativity and experience of women and nonbinary folk in the boating community.
Book your place here: https://luma.com/vlpw4rvo
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Woodworking workshop
Pink and green Boat
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
All boaters interested in making and fixing furniture, cabinets and boat features! Come with your projects, tools, materials and finishes to share skills and knowledge.
There is a signal group LBO wood workshop that participants can be in touch beforehand to:
-Plan resources and tools for your specific project
-Share your ideas, drawings, visuals that could help prepare the work.
This workshop is run by Julien, a boater and carpenter working from the boat Gamine, where this workshop will take place. The location will be announced to those who have registered closer to time but is likely to be in Cheshunt area.
Book your place here:https://luma.com/pjhf0xpd
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Stewarding the river: How can we look after our home? Zine-making workshop
Wednesday, June 17
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Leaside Trust
About Event
This is a workshop to explore how we look after the River Lea, the Lea Valley and the land we call our home. This session will be co-facilitated by ecologist Alisa Graham-Brown and artist/community organiser Tilly Bungard.
We will explore this theme through collage and zine making to make some zine pages, which will then be collated to be included in The Boaters Handbook to pass on knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the community.
This series of zine-making workshops invites members of the boating community to come together to discuss the joys and challenges of living on the water and creatively record our experiences and knowledge. Over the sessions we will explore the following themes before setting our ideas down in zine pages through collage and illustration:
What do you wish you'd known about boating?
How can we support one another as a community
Your favourite thing about boatingsharing stories + wisdom
This is an opportunity to meet other boaters who are passionate about the community, and be an exciting community project aiming to improve the lives of boaters across the Lea and beyond.
Tilly is a workshop facilitator, illustrator, social justice practitioner, and zine maker. Tilly is the founder + editor of Fear Naut, a publication highlighting the creativity and experience of women and nonbinary folk in the boating community.
A few accessibility notes for the venue:
Due to current building works at the front of Leaside, wheelchair access is currently via a side entrance room only. Please let us know in advance if this is needed.
There is step-free access to the first floor via a lift, though there is a small lip at the ground floor entrance.
The venue also has hearing loops and accessible toilets.
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Please note that, as these workshops are for boaters to discuss our community, they are designed to be attended only by those who currently live on boats. Thank you!
Boater rights workshop
Saturday, June 20
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About Event
Ever wanted to know about what laws govern CRT waterways and how to deal with CRT enforcement? What will happen to CRT enforcement if the CRT's Licence Review report recommendations are acted upon? We will have any rights left?
Marcus Trower, with over 10 years of experience as an NBTA caseworker and a main figure inside the NBTA, will help shed light on these questions and more. Come, hear, and discuss some of the most important issues boaters face on CRT waterways these days.
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Location
YHA London Lee Valley Hostel
Windmill Ln, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross EN8 9AJ, UK
Cyanotype Sunprint workshop
Saturday, June 27
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
About Event
🌞 Join artist and boater Harri Harrison in making beautiful blue sunprints in a slow, relaxed workshop.
Cyanotypes are an alternative photographic process using non-toxic chemistry that develops blue images when exposed to sunlight.
We will coat our own paper and learn the full cyanotype process from start to finish. While the chemistry dries, we’ll take a short wander along the river to forage for plants and leaves to print with.
🌿 You’re welcome to bring small flat objects to experiment with. Items that print well include fern fronds, grasses, small leaves, flower petals, feathers, lace, netting or mesh. All cyanotype materials and paper are provided.
You will leave with your finished prints, plus a handout with step-by-step instructions to help you continue making cyanotypes at home.
🧵 Wear old clothes or bring an apron. No experience needed. Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and up (supervised).
Harri Harrison is a neurodivergent multimedia artist interested in place, community, and our connection to nature. Living on a narrowboat, moving from place to place along the green corridor of the River Lea, has shaped their practice. They regularly exhibit and run participatory workshops. You can find out more here: www.harriharrison.co.uk
A few accessibility notes for the venue:
Due to current building works at the front of Leaside, wheelchair access is currently via a side entrance room only. Please let us know in advance if this is needed.
There is step-free access to the first floor via a lift, though there is a small lip at the ground floor entrance.
The venue also has hearing loops and accessible toilets.
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
How do we keep each other safe? - A community discussion + Zine-making workshop
Thursday, July 16
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
About Event
This is a workshop to explore how we keep each other safe on the river, including safety on the towpath, looking after vulnerable members of our community, violence against women and girls prevention work, protecting each other from hate crimes, and mental health safety.
We will explore this theme through collage and zine making to make some zine pages, which will then be collated to be included in The Boaters Handbook to pass on knowledge and wisdom to the rest of the community.
This series of zine-making workshops invites members of the boating community to come together to discuss the joys and challenges of living on the water and creatively record our experiences and knowledge. Over the sessions we will explore the following themes before setting our ideas down in zine pages through collage and illustration:
What do you wish you'd known about boating?
How can we support one another as a community
Your favourite thing about boatingsharing stories + wisdom
This is an opportunity to meet other boaters who are passionate about the community, and be an exciting community project aiming to improve the lives of boaters across the Lea and beyond.
Tilly is a workshop facilitator, illustrator, social justice practitioner, and zine maker. Tilly is the founder + editor of Fear Naut, a publication highlighting the creativity and experience of women and nonbinary folk in the boating community.
A few accessibility notes for the venue:
Due to current building works at the front of Leaside, wheelchair access is currently via a side entrance room only. Please let us know in advance if this is needed.
There is step-free access to the first floor via a lift, though there is a small lip at the ground floor entrance.
The venue also has hearing loops and accessible toilets.
This workshop is part of a free workshop series by Lea Boaters Organise and Loop Labs by and for boaters on the Lea, running until autumn 2026. The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We want to foster learning and community on the water, and would love you to join us - see full programme here.
Please note that, as these workshops are for boaters to discuss our community, they are designed to be attended only by those who currently live on boats. Thank you!
Please keep checking back, as we have more workshops in store through to October 2026…