Making a splash

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.