In August 2022, the Redington Frognal Association (RFA) and the City of London Corporation reinstated the Branch Hill Pond on Hampstead Heath. This was the pond painted by Constable on many occasions between 1819 and 1836 but was filled in around 1889. Previously, the RFA had commissioned Arup to identify the underground streams in the area. One of the concerns was local flooding, and Arup suggested reinstating the pond in order to attenuate run-off from the Heath so that it did not get into the sewer system. Bollards and lecterns have been emplaced in the RF area to make people aware of the many tributaries of the Westbourne that flow beneath their feet.

The RFA invited Diana to write up a geological walk down the main artery of the Westbourne, starting at the pond and finishing at the Thames.  Walking the Westbourne: a geological trail along the River Westbourne from Branch Hill Pond to the Thames has been published as a booklet as well as being available as a flip-book on the RFA website so that people can self-guide on their mobile phones. Diana decided to break the walk into three parts. Her talk will address each part in turn with images that reinforce the route. She will tell geological stories and provide geological explanations.

Admission: Free to CHS members. Non-members welcome (£2 at the door).