Weave-cycle

River Wandle had been heavily used by the textile industry in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was highly industrialised, which resulted in human modification of the river course and heavy pollution.

At present, the river is still polluted despite community attempts of river clean ups. As climate change intensifies, flood risk of the Wandle also increases.

With the technological and logistic advancement of the global textile industry in recent decades, heaps of fast fashion waste pollute cities all over the world. Workers in the textile and apparel industry also suffer under poor working conditions in sweatshops in less developed countries.

How can we save River Wandle and the world?

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The Adventure of William Morris and the Doctor

By Worker #211

Water was gushing in River Wandle at a dangerous level on a sweltering hot night. Next to it is a dingy alleyway squeezed between some massive prison-like complexes at where used to be Garratt Park near Earlsfield. All of a sudden, a faint light flashed and swoosh! A blue police box materialised out of thin air. Bang! The door of the TARDIS swung open. Out jumped the Doctor and his new companion William Morris.

‘Morris, you asked for a vacation after fighting the Daleks. Well, here we are on Earth in 2042. The planet is doomed with the climate crisis. London is constantly flooded. The world is run by dictators controlled by the social media tycoons and the fast fashion cartel...’

Mr Morris took a deep breath and his sixth sense tingled. ‘Doctor, is this River Wandle? Did you know that I built my workshop here? What are all these ugly concrete prisons doing here? Why is this place flooded?’ ‘Why don’t we go and find out?’ Doctor approached the armed guard at the complex cautiously with his psychic paper.

“Ah. Worker welfare inspectors! Sure, come in. Another formality after the riot this morning. I assume...” The armed guard, who is named Tom on his name tag, did not seem surprised.

Doctor and Morris frowned as armed guard Tom walked them through the heavy gate with a sign above it saying “Welcome to Crimark Manufacturing Hub where we weave your dream outfit CHEAP!”.

The guard started mumbling as they walk. ‘You guys should have been here this morning... Those animals must have listened to that Extinction Rebellion underground radio bullshit. They went wild this morning and started a strike! Those bastards should be grateful that they can work here making clothes enjoying their air-con, not back in their shitty countries diving into flooded landfills digging for fabrics. That’s why we are chaining them to their workstations permanently under the order of our Supreme CEO Zuckerbuger. You know, for their own safety...’

‘I’ve heard enough! ’ Mr Morris yelled with his clenched fist. ‘Don’t you think workers are humans too? Everyone deserves a decent job! And what are these ugly rags that you called clothes? How dare you mass produce these rubbish that barely last a week and sell them to clueless customers? And what are you churning out from the pipes to the river? ...’

‘Nice speech on your art-and-craft movement, Morris. But I’m afraid you have lost an audience.’ Doctor interrupted as armed guard Tom ran in and called for support, in suspicion of security breach.

Little did they know there was another audience. Hiding behind the toilet door in the corridor was worker #211. He had been eavesdropping on this unusual scene while using up his precious 10-minute daily toilet break allowance.

‘Run!’ Doctor screamed all of a sudden as arm guard Tom came back with a security squad. Doctor summoned the TARDUS with his sonic screwdriver quickly and jumped into the police box with Morris. Just as Doctor was closing the TARDUS door, worker #211 made the best decision of his life. He rushed out of the toilet and leaped into the police box. And, swoosh they escaped.

“Doctor, we must go back in time and stop all these from happening!” Seconds after they took off, Morris shouted anxiously without noticing the shock on worker #211’s face.

Doctor smiled calmly. ‘Not so fast, Morris. We must welcome this gentleman aboard. Mr...’

‘Um... hi guys...I’m Marco Mak...’ Worker #211 replied with a shaky voice. ‘I was working as a sustainability manager in Crimark, but they closed down the department last year and “promoted” me to this dreadful manufacturing job. You guys were so right about this evil company. Take me with you please!’

=== And kids, this is how I started my lifelong journey with William Morris on a quest to save River Wandle from the climate crisis and the fast fashion cartel.