Maria Therese Williams is a local woman using her poetic words to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect the Swanscombe Peninsula.
If you were tuned in to BBC Radio Kent’s Upload Programme at the tail end of 2021 you may have been touched by a poem, a poem that packed a local punch. Titled ‘Choose the peninsula’ the poet of which feels right at home in the Swanscombe peninsula, Maria Therese Williams.
CommunityAd had the absolute pleasure of a chat with the local poet who tells us she “has been writing poetry since my school days but it picked up pace about four years ago, when I was travelling to work by bus – I had more time to think during my walks, waits and journeys. Hence, my first book was called “Poetry from
the bus stop”. Having lived in Swanscombe for almost twenty five years Maria is acting as a sort of celebrity ambassador through her works of poetry and she can’t speak highly enough of the place and the townspeople.
“I first met fellow Swansconiums through work – fellow workers at a local supermarket and then I met more behind doors when I worked as a community carer. After a few locals trying to sway me with the bad opinions, I was relieved to find most people were very friendly and community spirited. I ran the local dance school, “Grooves” from the Swanscombe Church Centre and then Manor Community Primary for nearly twelve years and we all had a fabulous time running or supporting local festivals and fundraisers and taking part in SGRA talent competitions.
“The local people of Swanscombe and the surrounding areas are mostly lovely. I feel very privileged to be living in this community. It is convenient for transport to London or the coast and, despite the over development in recent years, we do have a very small amount of treasured space here. The Heritage Site and the Peninsula being great examples of the historic and natural values of our area.”
Maria’s poetry that the community revels in on social media often draws on the need to Save Swanscombe Peninsula, however, that is just one of the many themes she waxes lyrical about. “I have written other works about Swanscombe but only shared a couple on social media. They have, however, all gone in my books. One of them has featured in the film “When the rare orchid blooms”, expertly produced Documentary by Film Cafe Co-op.”
Why is it so important to the community that the peninsula and the marshes are left alone?
The marshes are home to nearly 2,000 species of flora and fauna and 200 of those are endangered. It is no longer a brown field site as some keep referring to it as – nature has reclaimed it in all her glory and we have a haven – not just protecting us from floods but also providing us with a wonderful, relaxing place with diverse areas to investigate – even a harbour and a beach! How many towns can say that?
If it was to be built on, the extra traffic it would attract would add pollution to an area which is already the worst-polluted area in the UK. We already have Ebbsfleet and Bluewater attracting commuters and the regular accidents and breakdowns around Dartford Tunnel already cause more than a fair share of disruption to our locals trying to get about their daily business. Also, there are nearly 200 businesses on the peninsula who have invested time and money to attract their customer base and we need to support those who provide quality employment for locals.
It is a gem of an area and we need to protect it. Not just for our own wellbeing but for the survival of all the plants and creatures who depend on it for their survival. After all, the world now needs the natural environment to improve. This is ours to protect and enjoy.
Swanscombe and Greenhithe is an area of diverse resources and we’d do right to be very proud and protective of them. We are in danger of losing our identity otherwise and that would be such a shame.
Find more of Maria’s marvellous poetry on her Facebook page @RoamingReflections, or if you’d rather do you’re reading in the physical realm head to Amazon to buy one of her books. In the meantime, see below for a sample.
Save Swanscombe Peninsula
Over 200 species that need conserving
Invertebrates, plants and birds deserving
Of our protection in their established habitat
But have we enough humans who recognise that?
Our peninsula is one of the richest known sites
A safe haven for our creatures of importance
We must protect their rights
Beetles and butterflies, bees and moths
Seals, water voles, the dormouse and harvest mice
Beautiful birds and plants so scarce
Our distinguished jumping spider which is now so rare
How does L(u)RCH dare
To steal away our safe space
Our tranquillity, fresh air, biodiversity?
Replace it with more noise, bright lights, more pollution
Even more traffic jams
Where’s the solution?
Nature has claimed back what man once destroyed
Locals so grateful, it brings us such joy
Our riverside paradise – the only space left
But London Resort would leave us bereft
Would leave us hemmed in without any respite
From buildings and traffic, loud noise and bright lights
We’re in a pandemic which has clearly accentuated
Wellbeing is vital and open space has contributed
To the ease of anxiety, the control of stress
To walk amongst nature and feel the breeze on our face
Our Government vowed to protect our wildlife
The planet depends on it and so do our lives
We have already suffered too much development
We’ll test the morality of our Government
We are a small island and we’re losing so much
Because fat-cat developers are losing touch
With Mother Nature’s Circle of Life
Commercialism killing and causing much strife
Let nature thrive, let locals roam
The marshes need to survive, they are our home
Not just to our birds, insects and plants
But it’s our only free space and it’s close to our hearts.