Growing up in Newham, in a flat with no garden, I appreciated at an early age the parks in the borough.

As soon as my mum thought me old enough, I would pop down to Victoria Gardens in North Woolwich with a book or some friends. The open space, the beauty of the park and the river was something I, and many local people enjoyed, and still do.

Now, when work and the weather permits, I drive out to Kent or Essex to walk and talk with friends. Walking is a good way to keep mentally and physically healthy and alert. Friends of mine do not bother with the drive to the country, but use the local park or pathways, and urge me to save the environment and stay local too.

Frankly they are right. There is much to see and appreciate right here on our doorstep or a little further afield. The impact on our health and the importance and beauty of our natural environment is the reason why I am supporting Wildlife Week, organised by the Wildlife Trust.

Party

It is why I will continue to take every spare moment whenever I can, to get out and about and enjoy any summertime the great British weather allows us. It is also why I will try to get down to a giant open air party hosted by the BBC to celebrate wildlife on Saturday afternoon.

I will be speaking at a conference at lunchtime, but I hope to make it to the latter stages of the BBC's Springwatch Garden Party to be held from 1pm to 6pm at the Memorial Recreation Ground, West Ham. This is a party for London, and it is a sign of the times that it is being hosted in Newham.

There will be butterflies, bees, birds and bats at the event, and the 'Beeb' will be urging residents from across London to see how they can 'Do One Thing' to help the environment.

One local group whose work I know of and support is the Lea Rivers Trust, where volunteers have been cleaning up our river banks and protecting our wildlife in the area for 15 years, supporting the community in improving and enjoying the Lower Lea Valley waterways.

Fabulous

They took me on an exhilarating powerboat trip along the waterways around the man-made Bow Canal. It was a fabulous trip and I found myself transported to a beautiful place that I had not previously known existed in Newham, which is green, quiet and populated with swans, moorhens, heron, coots and mallards.

British Waterways won much-needed Government funding to reinstate Prescott Channel to help to revitalise the area. Given the small glimpse I had of what this area could become, I am delighted that the transformation of these waterways will occur.

I want many more people to have the pleasure I got from my trip on the water. The Bow Back Waterway can provide one of the real and lasting legacies for the Olympic Games - a clean, natural habitat for us to enjoy, whether messing around on the water or walking alongside it.

Whatever the stresses and strains of daily life, whenever I sneak a few hours break in some open spaces I, and frankly everyone around me, reaps the benefit.

Sometimes I take a good book, or sometimes simply walk alone or with a friend, but usually I return refreshed and at one with the world. I would urge everyone to do the same, for as much time as they can spare. Or if you are excited by the notion of a cleaner, greener waterway, why not volunteer for the Lea Rivers Trust by calling them on (020) 8981 0040.

Contact me by writing to Lyn Brown MP, House of Commons, SW1A OAA, or phone my office on (020) 7219 6999.