YOUNGSTERS from an Evesham school have travelled down the Grand Union Canal on bell boats to help spread awareness of climate change.
Led by former Olympic canoe coach David Train, the Vale of Evesham School children set off on the first leg of their ‘The Main Voyage for Our Home on the Blue Planet’ journey, from the Circus Field Basin of the Grand Union Canal at Aylesbury, on Friday, October 21.
As the birthplace of the Paralympics, David Lidington, the member of parliament for Aylesbury, leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council, named two bell boats, along with Rio Paralympian gold medalists Anne Dickins and Jeanette Chippington.
Called the ‘Spirit of Global Britain and the Climate Revolution’ and the ‘Spirit of Global China and the Climate Revolution’, Mr Train is hoping other countries will get on board to help tackle climate change.
Mr Train said: “With ratification of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, every country needs to focus their people on tackling the issue for many decades to come.
“These Worcestershire ideas provide a way of doing it. The two bell boats will be relayed along the inland waterways by crews from canoeing, scouts, guides and many other groups heading north to Hull, which is the City of Culture 2017.
“We hope to involve many other members of parliament in launches along the way. The boats will eventually be sent to Beijing and with Theresa May’s help, be presented to President Xi.
“This year more than 4,500 children, teachers and parents have taken part in regattas and voyages in Worcestershire and the surrounding counties. Slowly but surely our Worcestershire ideas are being sown throughout Britain, China and the world.”
