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.