CHART star and actress Toyah Willcox is the new patron of Avon Navigation Trust, with part of her role to try to bring young people to the waterways.
The Worcestershire-based star, who has shone on stage, screen, in the pop charts and more recently on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, has taken time out to sprinkle her magic on the river that has forever flowed through her life.
She is headlining its ANT Squad, which encourages young people to love and protect the waterway, just like she does.
“I am proud to be a patron,” said Toyah, who’s out on the Avon every day she’s at the Pershore home she shares with husband, King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp.
“There are three passions in my life… music, my husband and the River Avon, with all its history and wildlife. This amazing river has served nature and mankind for hundreds of years. Today it needs our nurture and protection.
“It is vital that young people experience the same sense of adventure and connection to this remarkable river as I was lucky enough to have had in my youth.”
Birmingham-born Toyah grew to love the Avon, because her dad Beric had a boat there. “It was the most wonderful time, so the connections to this river are really powerful.”
The ANT Squad is the brainchild of trust’s chief executive Clive Matthews, who also grew up on the river thanks to his dad Dudley, who worked on the Avon restoration and was a founder member of the trust.
Clive launched the ANT Squad to inspire new generations to learn to enjoy and serve the river. The group of 15 – and growing – meets weekly to learn new skills, including boat handling and river safety. They also volunteer on litter picks, festivals and a myriad of events.
“We hope that giving them a love for the river will act as a psychological grounding for their future well-being and lives,” added Clive.
Multi-award-winning performer Toyah – whose career spans 48 years, 15 top 40 singles, 29 albums, 45 movies, 40 plays and four books – releases a limited-edition EP of the Greg Lake classic I Believe in Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.
After a year that also included her second Glastonbury appearance, she reports she’s already booked up for 2025, including a guest star role when the tour of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical stops off in Edinburgh in February.
