RIVER SAFETY DUTY FOR SEVERN UNIT
Tewkesbury based Severn Unit members were extremely busy in July and August as they were requested to carry out river safety duty at two festivals in close succession. The first deployment was to the Pershore River Festival on 19th July and this charity event also incorporated the very popular and well attended Wychavon Games Bell Boat Regatta which was monitored by the Unit’s safety boats. The Unit also did several uniformed ‘flypasts’ during the day when the Pershore Mayor and Civic Dignitaries took the salute.
A fortnight later the Unit went upstream again for a seven hour trip through six locks taking three boats upto Evesham for the 760th Anniversary of the Battle of Evesham which is held alongside the riverbank. This is now the largest 13th century actual battle re-enactment of the year and is attended by upwards of 50,000 spectators. The Unit had an extremely busy weekend constantly patrolling the river ensuring everyone’s safety before returning to Tewkesbury on the Monday when they unfortunately caught the edge of Storm Floris which made boat handling most demanding. Head of Unit Nic Price said “Both events were very successful and the Unit was pleased to play its part at these charity events and help ensure safety on and around the river.”
Picture 1: ‘Three Rousing Cheers’ from the crew of MVS Minerva for the Mayor and Civic Dignitaries on their ‘flypast’ after the Mayor had taken the salute at the Pershore River Festival.
Picture 2: MVS member John Huckvale with one of the ‘soldiers’ who was taking part in the Battle of Evesham re-enactment. In the background is Mike Seaman in the Unit’s Rigiflex safety patrol boat Severn 1.
