Richard's the new man on board

Former Canal & River Trust (CRT) Chief Executive Richard Parry has become an honoured Patron of the river championing Avon Navigation Trust (ANT).

Solihull-based Richard, who’s credited with establishing the CRT as a much-respected national charity, is delighted to join a list of luminaries shining their light on a much older charity, which looks after the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Avon.

“It’s lovely to be asked to be a Patron. I’ve had a connection with, and a huge respect for, the Trust for a long time.  

“I’ve always admired how well it has managed the river, which forms a key part of the inland waterways network, with such a small and dedicated resource,” says Richard who, in the past, has worked closely with key ANT leaders Jack Hegarty, Clive Matthews and Roger Clay.

“It’s an honour to be asked and I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to help ANT to continue its great work.”

“We are very pleased to welcome an chief executive of such stature as Richard on board,” says Jack Hegarty, ANT Chairman.

“We have enjoyed a fruitful connection with him for some years, and very much appreciate being able to tap into his vast expertise.”

Richard joins a sparkling list of Patrons, including Digby Jones; Tony Hales CBE; Toyah Willcox and, until recently, the late Prunella Scales CBE, who served with husband Timothy West CBE.

TOYAH SPRINKLES SHOWBIZ MAGIC ON A BAND OF AVON’S YOUNG FANS

Glittering stage, screen, music, and now Strictly sensation Toyah Willcox has taken time out to sprinkle her magic on the river that has forever flowed though her life.

The ever-busy Worcestershire-based, worldwide-famed lady has become a Patron of the Avon Navigation Trust, headlining its ANT Squad, which encourages young people to love and protect the poplar waterway, just like she does.

“We’re immensely pleased to have Toyah on board. Her media profile and fan base will be a major boost to our youth wing and enable us to reach out to many more young people,” says the Trust’s Chief Executive, Clive Matthews.

“I am proud to be a Patron,” says Toyah, who’s out on the Avon every day she’s at the Pershore home she shares with husband, and King Crimson luminary, Robert Fripp.

“There are three passions in my life… music, my husband and the River Avon, with all its history and wildlife,” she adds.

“This amazing river has served nature and mankind for hundreds of years. Today it needs our nurture and protection. 

“It is vital that young people experience the same sense of adventure and connection to this remarkable river as I was lucky enough to have had in my youth.”

Birmingham-born Toyah grew to love the Avon, because her dad Beric had a boat there. “It was the most wonderful time, so the connections to this river are really powerful,” she told BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing viewers, before dancing her way to the third round with Neil Jones.

The ANT Squad is the brainchild of Clive Matthews, who also grew up on the river thanks to his dad Dudley, who worked on the Avon restoration and and was a founder member of the Trust.

Clive launched the ANT Squad to inspire new generations to learn to enjoy and serve the river.

The group of 15 – and growing – meets weekly to learn new skills, including boat handling and river safety. They also volunteer on litter picks, festivals and a myriad of events. 

“We hope that giving them a love for the river will act as a psychological grounding for their future wellbeing and lives,” adds Clive.

Toyah, currently going on tour with Toyah and Robert’s Xmas Party, joins ANT’s other Patrons: Timothy West CBE, Prunella Scales CBE, Tony Hales CBE and Lord Digby-Jones.

The multi-award winning performer – whose career spans 48 years, 15 top 40 singles, 29 albums, 45 movies, 40 plays and 4 books – releases a limited edition EP of the Greg Lake classic I Believe in Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.

After a year that also included Toyah’s second Glastonbury appearance, she reports she’s already booked up for 2025, including a guest star role when the tour of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical stops off in Edinburgh in February.

Members of the ANT Squad in action, here combining one of their river Avon litter-picks with the nationwide The Big Paddle Clean-up.

A starring role for Timothy West on Shakespeare’s Avon

Veteran stage and screen actor Timothy West CBE is making a world debut… as Avon Navigation Trust’s river trip star.

The popular legend, whose thespian heart is anchored in Shakespeare’s Avon, made special time to record a commentary that’s enthralling passengers aboard trip-boat Corsair, because it’s raising funds for  the charitable Trust (ANT).

Timothy, an ANT Patron along with wife Prunella Scales CBE, waxes most lyrical on riveting local history for Evesham’s very pretty river excursion.

He recalls the glory and gory days the river has run through, as modern-day Corsair cuts a dash between a 17th century lock and the Hampton rope ferry, where once Abbey monks glided to their vineyards.

High points include the Battle of Evesham, a swineherd’s sacred vision, Lady Godiva and ghostly silver bells.

Timothy’s dulcet tones were recorded in Evesham at the iconic triangular lock-keeper’s house, which is being repurposed by ANT’s dedicated volunteers as their training centre and the ANT Youth Squad HQ.

“We’re so very grateful to Tim, who has turned our simple words into a dramatic tour de force, and to the Vale of Evesham Historical and Simon de Montfort societies for their rich historical input,” says ANT Chief Executive Clive Matthews.

“It was a pleasure to help the guardians of our lovely river, and to have the great Timothy West honouring our history,” adds local historian David Snowden.

“I always enjoy my days with ANT and the Avon, and it was lovely to get a sneak preview of the impressive lock-house transformation,” comments Tim, who’s also well known for his Great Canal Journeys adventures with Pru.

“It’s just a shame they don’t want me to drive the boat. Maybe next time!”

The new training centre is being funded entirely by grants and volunteers’ freely-given time.

It will be unveiled in the autumn.

A NEW RIVER AVON MISSION BLOSSOMS

An old Warwickshire Avon favourite is back… on a new mission thanks to a generous entrepreneur who has been moved by a mighty river project.

Former Avon Leisure Cruise vessel Frederick has been reborn as community trip boat Corsair, and she is now supporting Avon Navigation Trust’s youth volunteering ANT Squad and other river enhancing schemes.

Formerly one of the late Dave Smith’s fleet of three, she was bought from Evesham Marina by business and music maestro Stuart Miller, whose Towpath Productions give musicians a free floating stage on the Oxford Canal.

Now Stuart is letting ANT use Corsair whilst it seeks grant funding to buy her at a cut price, because he’s a new fan of the charity’s work.

“The financial return was less significant to me than what she was going to be used for,” says Stuart, who launched successful technological logistics company ByBox in Silicon Valley in 2000 and sold it 20 years later.

“Getting young people involved with the river and learning in such a lovely environment plus providing training for Volunteers of all ages is such a great project, which I am delighted to support.”

The 38ft canopied 12 berth boat will be moored in Evesham with ANT Squad HQ Neptune, which was also refurbished by Evesham Marina.

“We’re proud to have been the conduit between Stuart and ANT,” says Marina MD Steve Smith. 

“We are so grateful to Stuart for transferring ownership to us now whilst we seek grants to enable us to buy her. Corsair is a very valuable addition to our fleet,” adds ANT Chief Executive Clive Matthews.

Now Captain and Curator at Towpath Productions, Stuart established the moving music venture when venues shut during Covid lockdowns, paying musicians, and poets, to perform at free floating concerts.

They continue to entertain on two boats from April to October each year, either travelling the canal or sitting pretty in Mount Place in Jericho.

“It’s wonderful that I’ve got the financial freedom and more time for music,” says Stuart.

“The music community, like the river community, is a lovely place to be.” 

ANT Squad is the brainchild of Chief Executive Clive Matthews, who loved learning and exploring the Avon as a nipper and has long wanted to give new generations the opportunities and inspiration he had. 

“It made me want to protect the river I grew to love and we’re hoping our young people will feel the same,” he says.

Corsair’s first outing is April 28, 29 and 30 as part of The Valley Evesham and ANT’s Blossom Trail River Cruises, launched by The Valley to mark the Wychavon’s Trail’s 40th anniversary. (Tickets).

They will complement Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa’s 55 mile AA signposted walking, driving and cycle trail that enjoys the glorious fragrant vistas from mid March to mid May and Blossom Trail organiser Angela Taylor has big plans for the 40th anniversary.

“We have welcomed thousands of visitors over the last four decades and this year they are in for an even bigger treat with these first themed boat trips, blossom coach tours, specially created food and drink, including a blossom cider, as well as enjoying glorious Worcestershire countryside at its most scenic,” she says.

“We were eager to support the Vale Blossom bonanza and to mark a special year in a special way,” adds The Valley’s Retail Director Phil Maclean, who came up with the Cruise idea.

“The views from the Avon will add a whole new dimension to the spring spectacular,” adds ANT’s Clive Matthews. 

Corsair is all dressed up for her Avon debut on The Valley Evesham and ANT's April 28, 29 and 30 Blossom Trail River Cruises launched to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Trail.

Towpath Productions Captain & Curator (and entrepreneur) Stuart Miller.

The Vale Blossom Trail boasts more varieties of blossom than anywhere else in the world. Pictures: Stuart Purfield.

Evesham Mayor Councillor Mark Goodge - pictured on board one of the colourful dragons with his children Ellie, aged 15, Abigail, 12 and three-year-old Nathanial - says the initiative is a roaring success.

 A ROAR OF APPROVAL FOR BOATING RETURN

A roar of approval has greeted the colourful dragon-spearheaded return of boat hire and cruises to Evesham.

The green and red dragon pedalos have become particularly popular with DIY boating locals and tourists who have been queuing up to chill out on the beautiful Avon. 

Laid back cruises on board Easy Tiger have also been a big hit thanks to Avon Navigation Trust (ANT) and Wychavon District Council working in partnership to bring back pleasure boating to the town’s crowd-pulling parks.

ANT has engaged delivery partners Bonkers Activities and Severn Leisure to operate from the Abbey Park and Workman Gardens’ moorings.

“The Trust is very happy to support our river users and towns, which are promoting the River for the benefit of both communities and visitors,” says Clive, Chief Executive of ANT, which has launched the William James mobile River Avon Welcome Centre and has sited its youth and volunteering flagship Neptune in Evesham. 

“We have had such a lot of positive feedback from people who are delighted to be able to enjoy being on the river as part of their day out.”

Evesham Mayor and father of three, Councillor Mark Goodge, says his family is amongst those loving being able to mess about on the river.

“As a riverside town, the Avon is a really important part of our leisure industry and economy and it’s great to see people enjoying the river again at weekends and in school holidays,” he says.

Severn Leisure’s 12-seater Easy Tiger offers 45-60 minute trips on a first come first served basis from Hampton Ferry and Abbey Park.

Bonkers’ Evesham Dragon Watersports team is hiring out pedalos, paddleboards and katakanus with more activities planned. Wychavon District Council has also welcomed the success.  

Cllr Mark Ward, Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism for Wychavon District Council said: “It’s great to see Evesham’s fabulous River Avon being used for leisure activities. 

“This underpins the first strategic objective of the Evesham Town Centre Investment Prospectus which is to develop Evesham as a leisure destination, a great day out and making the most of its picturesque River Avon setting in the Vale of Evesham.”