Join us to explore the elusive wetland inhabitants behind Sam Williams’ The Eel’s Tale through a walk along Faversham Creek led by conservationist Matthew Hatchwell.
Matthew, who features in the film and has over 30 years experience working in wildlife conservation, will talk about the ecology of the critically endangered European eel and its place in European culture. Considering the many threats to European eels, including overfishing, illegal wildlife trade and climate change, we will learn how man-made barriers threaten the migration of eels and how these barriers can be made more permeable to facilitate migration.
Throughout the guided walk, Matthew will also share important techniques for monitoring glass eel that can be used to support eel populations throughout North Kent’s wetlands.
The walk will take us from Stonebridge Pond, a location featured in the film, along Faversham Creek as far as Thorn Creek. From there we will circle back and end at Standard Quay to watch The Eel’s Tale (approx. 24 minutes), which is installed in Faversham till 30 November 2025.
The film, which traces the life cycle of the European eel and its elusive presence in the Kent’s waterways, explores how a creature defined by its journeys across national borders, changing environments, and bodily transformation can redefine how we understand our place in the world.
The Eel’s Tale has been commissioned by Cement Fields and FLAMIN (Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network) for the The Open Road – a series of new artists moving image works reimagining the age-old tale of a journey taken, weaving together new stories loosely inspired by The Canterbury Tales.
The Open Road is commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella, The Amelia Scott, Cement Fields, FLAMIN, Forma, and Three Rivers. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
The walk has a total distance of approx. 3.5km and will take around 2 hours.
Please note that the walk is not circular and will not return to the start point.
While we will be moving through and discussing eel habitats, we are unlikely to see eel’s during this walk due to their ellusive nature and endangered status.
The route covers flat terrain, with no hills, but is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Walking shoes and appropriate clothing is advised, especially if conditions are wet.
There are toilet facilities are available at Standard Quay.
If you have any questions about the route, please contact us at info@cementfields.org.
This event is free to attend, but booking is required as we have limited capacity.
Matthew is an independent consultant with over 30 years of experience with international wildlife conservation organisations including the Zoological Society of London (where he was Director of Conservation) and the Wildlife Conservation Society, where he served as Chief Executive of WCS Europe having previously led programmes in Congo and Madagascar.
Sam Williams is an artist with a practice that intertwines moving-image, collage, choreography, sound and writing. His ongoing research focuses on multispecies entanglements, ecological systems, bodies-as-worlds and folk mythologies and how they propose possibilities for present and future ways of non-human-centric living. Sam is based in London where he is a resident at Somerset House Studios. He has presented work at institutions including Chisenhale Gallery, Arnolfini, Siobhan Davies Dance, Somerset House, Tate Britain, Studio Voltaire and South Kiosk (UK), She Will (Norway); Röda Sten Konsthall (SE); Kino Arsenal, Akademie der Kunst, Tanzhalle Wisenberg and B3 Biennale (Germany).