A town is taking centre stage in the ongoing national debate over flooding and river pollution.

Henley-on-Thames will host an expert panel event on Wednesday, November 26 at the Kenton Theatre.

The event is being organised by charity Greener Henley, to explore the environmental challenges facing the town and others in a similar position.

The panel, titled Protecting What We Love: Tackling Flooding and Pollution in Henley, will run from 7pm to 9pm and feature speakers who have expertise in flooding, pollution, rowing, and business.

Kate Oldridge of Greener Henley said: “River campaigners in Henley, like the Henley Mermaids and citizen scientists HoT Water, have rightly shone a light on pollution.

“What we want to do now is connect the dots.

“Flooding and pollution are deeply interlinked.

“By tackling them together, we can take practical steps to make Henley not only cleaner but also safer and more resilient.”

The panel will discuss the increasing risk of flooding across the UK, as well as the threat of pollution to rivers and the wider environment.

Henley, known worldwide for its Royal Regatta, serves as a case study for how these issues impact homes, schools, businesses, and the sporting life of towns next to rivers.

Panellists will also address the growing number of ‘red board’ days, when fast river flow halts rowing—a sport which is central to Henley’s identity.

The experts will also explore how businesses can build resilience to climate-related disruptions.

Tickets and more information about the event can be obtained at greenerhenley.org.uk.

Dr Jess Neumann of the University of Reading, one of the event’s panellists, said: “Flash flooding from sudden and intense rainfall can strike anywhere with little-to-no warning.

“Many of us accept that living by the Thames brings flood risk—but surface water flooding can happen even away from the river, and it can happen within minutes.”

Other panellists include Greg Searle MBE, Olympic rowing champion and Royal Regatta Steward leading on sustainability; Jonathan Hobbs, Royal Waterman to King Charles and fifth-generation owner of Hobbs of Henley; and Dr Pete Sudbury from Oxfordshire County Council’s Flooding Taskforce.

The discussion will focus on practical action— what can be done to prevent and prepare for flooding, how to reduce pollution at its source, and how to support community-led resilience.

The event forms part of Greener Henley’s Big Green Conversation series, which aims to bring urgent environmental issues to the forefront and empower local people to take action.

Henley has become a focal point in the national conversation about Britain’s water crisis, having been featured in media across the UK and internationally in recent years.

As a town deeply connected to the River Thames, organisers say Henley represents both the challenges and opportunities facing communities across the country as they adapt to climate change.