Saturday 28 February 2026, 10.30am-1.00pm, Wembley Sailing Club, Brent Reservoir
Overview {{Devotional Objects}} is a research-ritual-workshop-gathering designed for grassroots riverbed leaders and active individuals devoted to taking care of London’s waters.
Through art-led reflection and processing we will think about what it means to take on the task of clearing up and caring for troubled waters. We’ll consider the role of hands-on, community-led stewardship in healing and restoring the sacred and reciprocal relationship we once had with our rivers and waterbodies in England.
Whilst there are many public-facing events around rivers there has been less of a focus on who takes care of the caretakers - why do they care and who gets to care? Expect a morning brimming with art making, conversation with peers and plenty of munchies.
There will be max 10-12 of us in total.
This event forms part of my wider research for a PhD chapter entitled “Coming into Contact with a River you Cannot Touch”.
Useful information
✅ What to bring:
Please bring one object related to the place you look after
If you can and if it is safe to do so - please bring me some water from the watery body you take care of (this could be the tap water if needs be!) A small bottle or jar is more than enough.
🎨 We’ll be playing with experimental forms of note-taking, image-making, clay and even some lite metalwork!
⛵️ We’ll convene in the cosy and retro Wembley Sailing Club, located on the Brent Reservoir also known as The Welsh Harp. We will spend a good chunk of time indoors and greet the water of course!
🚌 The nearest train station is Hendon (National Rail), the nearest tube is Neasden (Jubilee). There is car parking available.
☕️ Please let me know if you have any allergies / dietary requirements at least 48 hours ahead of the event so I can accommodate.
✨ Likewise, please let me know if you have any sensory / accessibility needs or anything I can do to make your time more comfortable.
📷 I usually prefer a low/no photo policy at my events however it would be very helpful for me to document the session for my PhD research. I will take photos and notes and ask you to sign a consent form on the day. You can opt in or out of being photographed and ask to be named or anonymised. A preview of this is here: Devotional Objects_Becky Lyon_Information sheet & consent form
🧭 Whilst you are in the area…if the weather is nice, I highly recommend exploring the reservoir. It is a SSSI habitat of woodlands, wildflowers and bee gardens. Canal & Rivers Trust are also restoring a wetlands which is interesting to see. The beautiful Fryent Country Park is close by with views of the famous Wembley Arch. For those who can't help themselves - Birchen Grove Garden Centre is right behind us. For a delicious lunch you could stop by the infamous Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall down the road in Colindale.
❓If you have any questions at all please feel free to email me at beckyl.lyon@googlemail.com or WhatsApp/ text me 07828644678
Thank you and I’m really looking forward to seeing you!
