“Rave on for the Avon”: The Documentary I’m Dying to See (And Why You Should Too)

Clevedon’s Lake and Pier celebrations on 4^th May offer the perfect backdrop for the screening of “Rave on for the Avon,” at the Curzon Cinema Clevedon. This powerful documentary film directed by Charlotte Sawyer and co-produced by Aggie Nyagari illuminates the vibrant spirit of the wild and cold-water swimming community. The film follows campaigners and river lovers through six seasons, exploring universal themes that I am always keen to examine and will resonate strongly with Clevedon audiences and many others.

The transformative power of wild swimming

Like many, I’m drawn to the world of wild and cold-water swimming, and the Clevedon Marine Lake community embodies its incredible benefits. This inclusive, passionate group celebrates the connection to our waters, the health advantages, and the strong bonds formed in a shared love of open-water immersion.

The river’s cry for help: our rivers in crisis

Our rivers are in a dire state. The UK’s Environment Agency has reported an alarming 3.6 million hours of sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas in 2023 alone. Shockingly, only 14% of England’s rivers meet standards for good ecological health, and none are chemically sound. This is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both humans and wildlife. The underperformance of UK water and sewage companies in 2021 underscores the urgent need for immediate action.

Community as a Catalyst

“Rave on for the Avon” is not just a documentary, it’s a call to action. It showcases the power of community in raising vital awareness and can serve as a powerful tool to educate, inspire, and mobilize people around important issues. It’s a reminder of the incredible outcomes that communities can achieve when they unite for a common cause.

The Power of Film and Television

Films, television and, in particular, documentaries like “Rave on for the Avon” have the unique ability to shed light on pressing issues. Similar to how ‘Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office’ exposed a national scandal, “Rave on for the Avon” has the potential to not only raise awareness about the environmental crisis facing our rivers but also inspire real change. Film can be a powerful tool for sparking outrage, demanding accountability, and igniting a movement for change.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

“Rave on for the Avon” offers more than timely subject matter; it has the potential to spark personal and collective change:

Inspiration: Be inspired by those who passionately protect what they love.
Education: Gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing our rivers.
Empowerment: Discover how community action can drive positive change.

I urge you to join me at the Lake and Pier celebrations for the screening of this important documentary. Let’s embrace its message and become champions for our rivers and the communities they sustain.

Film Synopsis

“Rave on for the Avon” chronicles the heartwarming and inspiring journey of Bristol bathers who are “fighting the Bristol way” to preserve their beloved river haven.

Nestled within a bustling East Bristol neighbourhood, a tranquil stretch of the River Avon beckons. Its cool waters draw summer crowds and dedicated year-round cold-water swimmers, providing a haven for mental well-being and free outdoor recreation for low-income families.

Yet, a dark reality lurks beneath the surface. Bristol Council’s swimming ban and the river’s contamination with raw sewage, chemicals, and agricultural runoff create a troubling paradox. The solace the river offers comes with the risk of serious harm.

Recognizing this crisis, three local swimmers – Becca, Em, and Eva – established the Conham Bathing Group. Their citizen-led water testing program exposes the Avon’s alarming pollution levels. The group’s relentless push for Designated Bathing Water Status (DBWS) is a beacon of hope. This designation triggers regular water quality monitoring and forces polluting industries to take responsibility. Currently, the UK has only three DBWS river stretches, all hard-won through grassroots campaigns.

This film delves into the lives of those who cherish and defend the Avon, exposing the dire consequences of its endless pollution. It aims to ignite a sense of urgency within the Bristol Council and a community-driven call for policy change—not just locally but across the UK and beyond.

The Conham Bathing Group, in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and Rivers Trust, champions a growing movement striving for 200 designated bathing waters by 2030. If you’d like to know more about this vital initiative, check out the SAS’s Protecting Wild Waters Campaign.

Wild swimming and mental health: a pathway to resilience and well-being

“Rave on for the Avon” dives into the profound link between wild swimming and mental health. The initial cold-water immersion triggers a physiological response that builds resilience. By learning to manage this stress, individuals develop the tools to cope with life’s challenges. Endorphins flood the body, creating a natural state of euphoria that combats low moods. The act of wild swimming compels us to live in the present moment, focusing on breath, body sensations, and the ever-changing natural world. This potent form of mindfulness acts as a powerful antidote to anxiety and worry.

Beyond these individual benefits, the wild swimming community offers a unique source of support and belonging. Shared experiences and the simple joy of connection further boost well-being. While it’s crucial to approach wild swimming safely and responsibly, the potential rewards are vast. The film highlights the unique ability of wild swimming to nurture a calmer, happier, and more resilient state of mind.

“Fighting the Bristol Way”

Ultimately, ‘fighting the Bristol way’ is about a strong and united community taking action to protect something they care about. They do it in a way that reflects the city’s unique character – a blend of resourcefulness, humour, and an unwavering commitment to their cause.

Resourcefulness: Faced with a challenge, Bristolians don’t wait for solutions – they create them. Whether it’s turning a protest into a street party or finding ingenious ways to reuse and repurpose, their resourcefulness is a force to be reckoned with.

Humour: A cheeky grin and a witty slogan can disarm even the most stubborn opposition. Their light-heartedness not only brings people together but keeps the fight spirited, making it impossible to ignore.

Unwavering Commitment: This isn’t about fleeting passion; it’s a deep-rooted belief in their cause. Whether it takes weeks, months, or years, they never give up on what they believe in.

A Touch of the Unexpected: The Bristol way means embracing the unconventional. From vibrant street art to flash mobs for a cause, they aren’t afraid to take bold, surprising actions that capture attention and ignite imaginations.

“Fighting the Bristol way’” is more than just a strategy—it’s an attitude. It reminds us that when a community stands together, fuelled by creativity, humour, a dash of the unexpected, and an unshakeable belief in its cause, there’s no limit to what it can achieve.

The Bristol premiere event, infused with energy and creativity, perfectly reflects the spirit of ‘fighting the Bristol way’ and the community-driven activism featured in the film.

And if you want another example, watch the trailer and the delightful wedding ceremony.

A Marriage of Heart and Action: The River Awakens

In the trailer, Megan Ruth-Trump, the self-proclaimed River Goddess, takes activism to a whole new level. Through a whimsical yet powerful ceremony, she “marries” the Avon River.

“Do you call on all the courage and determination that you possess to raise awareness of the issues facing this and every river?”

“I do!”

This audacious act is more than just a quirky performance—it’s a creative battle cry. By symbolically granting the river “legal personhood,” Ruth-Trump forces us to confront a crucial question: Shouldn’t rivers, these life-giving arteries of our planet, deserve the same legal protections we afford human beings?

Her act resonates on multiple levels. It’s a vibrant performance, a splash of colour against the backdrop of environmental apathy. But beneath the whimsy lies a profound message. This “marriage” compels us to see the river not just as a resource to be exploited, but as a living entity deserving of respect and care. It’s a call to action disguised as a playful ritual, a way to tap into our emotions and inspire us to fight for the rivers that sustain us.

The issue of River Health

The health of our rivers is in critical condition, and “Rave on for the Avon” dives headfirst into this urgent issue. A shocking 86% of UK surface waters fail to meet good ecological standards, according to the Rivers Trust. Environmental scientist Dr Sarah Jones emphasises the severity, stating:

“Unchecked pollution and habitat degradation threaten not just the rich biodiversity of our rivers, but also the clean water we rely on for drinking, recreation, and healthy ecosystems.”

Raw sewage spills, agricultural runoff, and industrial pollutants all contribute to this crisis, jeopardizing the well-being of aquatic life and posing a risk to human health.

“Rave on for the Avon” sheds light on this fight for clean water, showcasing the passionate communities striving to protect these vital lifelines.

The River Avon

Sadly, the River Avon is one of the ten English rivers with the most sewage spills per mile in their catchment areas last year. The river suffered 6,573 sewage spills in 2023, or 74 spills per mile, making it the third most polluted in England. It is also a huge source of harmful bacteria like E. Coli, posing a significant health risk to swimmers, water sports enthusiasts, and the river’s ecosystem.

Chemicals from industry, pesticides, and fertilisers used in agriculture find their way into the Avon. These pollutants contribute to unhealthy nutrient loads, algae blooms that reduce oxygen levels, and harm to aquatic life.

And like many waterways, the Avon has a growing problem with microplastics. These tiny plastic particles can be ingested by wildlife, disrupting their health and potentially entering the food chain.

English rivers with the most sewage spills per mile in their catchment areas in 2023

According to the North Somerset Times:

“Clevedon Beach did not escape the onslaught and was polluted by spills 211 times in 2023, a total of 2,456 hours, ranking it the 20th most polluted beach in England and Wales.”

“Rave on for the Avon” delves into these pollution issues, showcasing the direct impact on those who seek recreation, connection, and solace from the river. The film explores what’s at stake and inspires action to protect this vital resource for the present and for generations to come.

The film is showing at 6.30 p.m. this Saturday at the Curzon, and there will be a special Q&A session hosted by Clevedon’s own Rowan Clarke, former Chair of MARLENS (the guardians of Marine Lake), with the film’s campaigners Lindsey Cole and Meg Avon Trump. Book here.

And finally, check out this video clip which features Lindsey Cole, who swam the 12 miles across the Bristol Channel, from Penarth, on the outskirts of Cardiff, to Clevedon wearing a mermaid tail and towing an inflatable poo! On board the support boat was our very own Rowan Clarke.

In an interview with the North Somerset Times, Lindsey spoke about why stopping spills is so important. She said:

“Once pollution gets out into the Channel, that’s it. It goes right out into the ocean and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

It promises to be a very lively Q&A with Lindsey, Rowan and the River Goddess! Can’t wait!