BUOYANT TOP AVON TEAM SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD

Avon Navigation Trust volunteers are feeling super buoyant after scooping top prize in a national competition.

The river squad has been voted Top Team by both a panel of judges and the readers of the Towpath Talk publication.

AVON LITTER PICK TEAM JOINS WAR AGAINST PLASTIC

A river-mad Worcestershire paddle boarding club has teamed up with Avon Navigation Trust to help keep its stretch clear of plastic and other litter.

Bonkers Activities’ members have already hauled out a heap of carelessly cast off rubbish, including plastic bottles, cans and a bike.

ROCK FESTIVAL youngsterS' HEAVY METAL MENTOR

WHEN one of the youngest bands at the big Midlands August 3-5 Drunken Monkey Rock Festival polish off a new recording they run it past someone very special before sharing with their growing list of followers. 

World-renowned Black Sabbath icon Tony Iommi has become unofficial mentor to the Devon teenage three-piece Ethyrfield, whose drummer was just 10 when they formed four years ago.

Handsworth-born Tony clicked with lead guitarist Ben Cornish, now 16, when the legendary luminary did one to one sessions with the finalists in the 2015 Sky Arts Guitar Star TV show.

“Ben didn’t win but Tony has continued to mentor him and the band. For a young band, that’s amazing. As an adult, I have to pinch myself,” says dad Roger, whose other son Zach, 17, is bass player and lead vocalist.

The Ethyrfield line up is completed by fellow Devon teenager Dan Aston, now 14. All three are grade 8 musicians and live in Newton Abbot. 

They will be playing alongside 50 big bands at this year’s three day blast at Worcestershire’s Upton-upon-Severn. 

Tickets are already selling fast for the two stage Festival, which rocks for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) in memory of Ian Downton, who died in 2009 after a car accident. To date, more than £25,000 has been donated to the charity.

The 2018 gig fest includes Wizards of Oz, Pearl Jamm, Van Hailen and Gage, who are hot footing it from South Africa. Check out the Drunken Monkey Rock Festival's webpage here for more details.

The Ethyrfield lads will play their own music and some covers on the main stage on Sunday and it will be the latest in an impressive list of achievements.

The band has already played the American Ambassador's residence, after winning the under 19s category of the Rock the House competition just a few months after they got together.

Ethyrfield also smashed this year’s Giants of Rock Festival at Butlins in Minehead. As the audience’s winners they will be back to play the main stage in January 2019.

In June they rocked the Devon and Cornwall Metal 2 The Masses, scooping a place in the 2018 Bloodstock Open Air festival, also in August.

“They may look like kids, but once they start playing, audiences’ jaws drop and they are blown away,” says Drunken Monkey Rock Festival Main Stage organiser and Music Director Stu Evans.

“This band is really going places and we look forward to watching them wow our crowds, along with the other top performers.”

Get ready to be rocked by Ethyrfield. Pictured from left from left are Zach Cornish, Dan Aston and Ben Cornish.  

Puppy Love A-plenty at Tewkesbury Lock

BANDS BATTLE FOR BIG FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT 

TALENTED Worcestershire bands are limbering up to do battle for a hot festival date, thanks to two musicians who know exactly how crucial a big spotlight can be.

Four groups of hopefuls will play their hearts out in the Drunken Monkey Festival Battle of the Bands, at Evesham’s The Valkyrie Bar from 7pm on May 11, with the hope of winning a coveted spot alongside more than 50 big bands at this year’s August  3-5 blast at Upton-upon-Severn.

Tickets are already selling fast for this year’s Festival, with a line-up that includes Wizards of Oz, Pearl Jamm, Van Hailen and Gage, hot footing it from South Africa. Check out www.drunkenmonkeyrockfest.co.uk for the full line-up and tickets.

The organisers had to turn away scores of would-be performers and places are already filling up for next year. But Festival volunteers, and musicians, Stu Evans and Chris Harvey kept three 2018 places free for the winners of the Battle of the Bands.

“We wanted to give a mix of up and coming bands, and those who narrowly missed out on a place this time, the chance to get their talent showcased at the Festival,” says Chris.

Chris plays in four bands, including The Stone Cutters who appear at the Drunken Monkey on Sunday, runs the big event’s Tower Stage and tutors and talent spots performers at his Tower Studios, in Pinvin near Pershore.

Stu Evans, who runs the main stage, is a process engineer by day and a singer in an AC/DC tribute by night. His band Soul Stripper is soaring after getting a try-out session at Worcester’s Marr’s Bar eight years ago.

Stu’s band will also be playing at the ever-growing Festival, which was launched in memory of Ian Downton, who died in 2009 after a car accident. To date, more than £25,000 has been donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).

Stu, a father of three who works for a cold storage company and lives in Worcester with civil servant wife Debbie, had only ever sung in front of family, friends and the bathroom mirror when he spotted a Facebook post in 2010.

Scott (Fast Fingers) Pinchin, from Pershore, gave him a try out and the Marr’s Bar-gifted chance to drop in and perform one song turned into belting out all of the six they had ready and they never looked back.

AC/DC fan Stu perfects the sound of Bon Scott. So how was it the first time?

“I was more nervous about whether we could pull it off as a band, but we did,” smiles Festival Music Director Stu, whose band is now in big demand and often offers support slots to up and coming sounds.

Hate.System, Ranstone, Vintage Inc. and Voodoo Stone will be battling it out for the Festival on May 11.

The fierce competition will be judged by audience reaction plus the verdicts of Stu, Chris and The Valkyrie Bar owner - and Festival fan - Steve Richford, who says: “It will be a great night that will also raise money for MAAC.”

Evesham (Worcestershire) based heavy metal 14-15 year old three piece Ranstone have been talented spotted by Chris. They are eager for the chance to shine.

“We have been practising really hard for this and I'm ready to tear up that drum kit,” says drummer Zack Morris, aged 14.

It will be a first playing in Evesham for Hereford-based modern metal outfit Hate.System, whose members are also raring to glow.

“We’re very happy to be included on the bill for this battle of the bands,” says vocalist and guitarist Dan James, whose brother Ben is the drummer.

“Ben went to Drunken Monkey last year and witnessed first hand how great the Festival is, furthermore how important it is for local music and rock music in the area! So for Hate.System to be part of this years event would be a huge privilege.”

Worcester-based Vintage Inc.’s four highly experienced musicians bring together 150 years’ gigging experience and belt out rock and blues classics with a unique twist.

“We may not be the youngest or have the most hair, but we are really excited and honoured to be invited and will be giving all we have to gain a place at the Festival,” says drummer Rich Beard.

Last, but definitely not least, popular Voodoo Stone, who rock audiences with their own music, can’t wait to get playing.

“We’re very excited about the prospect of getting a Festival slot,” says singer Claire Clements, from Alcester, near Redditch.

“The Battle of the Bands at The Valkyrie will be a fantastic night and we're very much looking forward to sharing the stage with three amazing bands.”

“We wish all the bands well,” says Festival Chairman Steve Coyne. “Let battle commence.”