Communities Against River Pollution’s monthly column.
BEWDLEY’S First River Festival which takes place between June 7 and September 27 is set to be an innovative and exciting event.
The CARP (Campaign Against River Polluntion) Bewdley River Festival team has been busy planning more than 20 arts and nature based events for everyone’s enjoyment.
They have all been carefully curated to suit all parts of our community.
Festival Opening Event – ‘We Sing the Rivers Voice’ – Sunday, June 7
The festival launches with the Bewdley headline event for SustFest.
It starts with a 90-minute workshop (12pm, St Anne’s Church, Bewdley).
The event is led by the accomplished artistic team of Sipho Eric Ndlovu (performance poet), Ruana Xerri-West (vocal improv guru),
Martin Robson (opera singer) and Liz Dilnot Johnson (composer). This is an impressive line-up and the event is sure to be incredible.
It will provide a unique opportunity for people to use their voice in different and fun ways to express their hopes and fears for the river. No experience is needed.
After the workshop, a procession will be formed to Riverside Park where there will be a performance from 2pm to 3pm. The group will be joined by young singers from Ex-Cathedra Academy of Vocal Music and young people from Bewdley schools.
Anyone who does not fancy raising their voice should come along to the performance and support this spectacular occasion.
Workshop places are limited, so booking is essential. Tickets are £5 (unwaged), £10 (waged) and £20 (donation).
Email: [email protected] to book and for more information.
Petition
The ‘Rights for Rivers’ theme flows throughout the festival.
We aim to secure a Charter to protect our part of the Severn.
We launched a petition asking Wyre Forest District Council to grant it, and, so far, have 1,000+ signatures. But we need more to show the strength of public opinion.
Please visit: change.org/RiverSevernCharter to see the petition and to sign it.
Festival programme
The guide to everything going on during the River Festival will be in shops, pubs and community venues soon and can be found on by visiting: severncarp.org.uk/events/ – the events section of the CARP website.
Be part of the change
Help us make our river healthy and safe for us and future generations to enjoy.
You can support by attending festival events, donating and volunteering.
Please email: [email protected] for more information.
And head to: facebook.com/groups/CARP.Bewdley to follow CARP on Facebook.
