TWO BEAUTIFUL banners have been installed at Bewdley’s St Anne’s Church as part of the town’s first ever River Festival.
The event has been organised by CARP (Communities Against River Pollution) with local volunteers joining forces to produce the wall hangings.
Since March, around 30 volunteers, some from the Wyre Forest U3A (University of the Third Age) textile group have dedicated their time and creativity to producing two handcrafted and hand-painted 18ft tall canvas displays.
The project was lead by Hilary Mueller, Steve Findon and Gail Tutcher.
The striking artworks are now exhibited on the outside of St Anne’s Church and they will be there until September 2026.
Thanks to funding and the generosity of volunteers, essential materials were provided, enabling the project to come to life.
The displays celebrate the natural beauty of the River Severn and the rich variety of wildlife that depends on it.
Much of the material used to create the teeming flora and fauna has been donated or repurposed.
Through the project, volunteers hope to raise awareness of the need for stronger action to prevent pollution entering the River Severn and the need to hold individuals and organisations accountable for protecting the waterway and its wildlife.
Central to the River festival is the theme of River Rights. There is a local campaign for the River Severn to be granted a charter – like the River Wye – to strengthen its protection from pollution.
The unique collaborative artwork is designed to make people stop and think about what is lost from a river when it is polluted by a mixture of toxic chemicals from sewage, horticultural runoff off and forever chemicals.
It will also serve as a powerful reminder of the community’s commitment to protecting the River Severn for future generations.
CARP hopes the display will inspire positive action, particularly as Bewdley prepares for the busy summer season when thousands of visitors come to enjoy the riverside.
Hilary Mueller, from the CARP team, said “It’s been wonderful to see the people of the Wyre Forest come together to create these banners showing the river as we would like to see it – as it should be.
“It feels so lovely to be part of such a creative community.”
Helen Bradley, a volunteer who has supported the workshops said it was a great privilege to be part of the project.
“The care and skill shown was amazing to see.
“It was also a wonderful opportunity for people to share their concerns about the river.
“I am stunned by the beauty of the finished banners hanging outside St Anne’s church in Bewdley to celebrate the River Festival.”
Thanks have also been expressed to Kate Spohrer (Attwood Funerals) for use of her new studio in Load Street, Bewdley.
There, the banner team has been working hard to put the finishing touches to these amazing creations.
For further information about CARP and the River Festival, please visit severncarp.org.uk. Or visit the FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/CARP.Bewdley/
