THE AVON at Pershore came alive with boats, canoes and other kinds of watercraft last Saturday (July 18) as hundreds took to the water as part of the annual river festival.
Organised by Pershore Riverside Youth Centre with support from the Avon Navigation Trust, the event at King George’s Fields provided the perfect opportunity for messing about on the river.
This year around 2,000 visitors were able to enjoy the bell boat regatta with former Olympic canoeist Andy Train MBE, which saw more than two hours of hotly-contested racing. Others opted for more gentile river cruises.
Meanwhile on dry land, families enjoyed a variety of community stalls, a traders’ market, children’s activities, live music, dance, drama and workshops highlighting river pollution and wildlife, led by the Avon Vale River Action Group and The Severn Trust.
A highlight of this year’s event was the arrival of Ondine’s Odyssey, a travelling sculpture celebrating the River Avon while raising awareness of water pollution.
Also, in what is believed to be a UK first, the town officially twinned its stretch of the River Avon with the River Nene at Thrapston in a ceremony attended by the mayors of both towns, councillors Julie Hemming and Craig Willcocks.
Councillor Charles Tucker opened the ceremony with a speech and said: “We know how important the River Avon is to Pershore.
“It has shaped our town and its development over the years, its trade and transport and is a vital part of our natural environment.
“It has had a major impact on Pershore’s character. We can say it is part of Pershore’s soul.
“But today it is threatened by pollution, its wildlife by loss of habitats and its wider environment by development and other human pressures.
“We need to protect it to preserve and maintain it so that our children can enjoy it as much as we have.”
A declaration linking the two rivers was read out by the Pershore town crier Tony Wright-Jones.
Bradley Edmunds, youth manager at Pershore Riverside Centre, told the Observer that the purpose of the day was a community celebration to raise funds for the town’s young people.
“It was an absolutely fantastic day. We had something for everybody – it was a real success.”
The centre sees about 220 young people access its services each week which includes SEND provision as well as junior and senior youth clubs.
Pictures by Ian Vaux
