WARWICKSHIRE AVON RIVER HEALTH FORUM
Saturday 24 October 2026, Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club
Understand the river. Protect the river. Restore the river.
Bringing together river organisations, community groups, clubs, businesses, agencies and authorities from across the Warwickshire Avon catchment to understand the challenges it is facing – and work out what we can do together.
Participants include: Manuela Perteghella, MP; River Hope; SafeAvon; Rugby River Champions; Avon Navigation Trust …and others working for healthier rivers across the catchment. The full list of organisations invited to attend is below – please email sustainablesuabc@gmail.com if we have missed an opportunity!
Provisional Agenda
12:30 – Arrival
1:00 – Welcome from SuABC
Mary Manandhar, River Hope & Mark Barrow, Beneath the Oars
2:00 – DISCUSSION: What’s Coming Down the River?
3:00 – Networking, refreshments & short films
4:00 – DISCUSSION: What Can We Do to Help?
5:00 – Closing remarks
Understanding: A healthier Avon starts with better knowledge
The Warwickshire Avon supports wildlife and biodiversity, provides recreation, connects our communities and is part of the landscape we call home.
But if we are serious about protecting it, we need to understand what is happening in the river. That is why Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club is delighted to announce that we have received a grant from British Rowing’s Thriving Waters Scheme. The grant will help us expand our water-quality testing through Earthwatch, strengthening our ability to collect and understand data about the health of the Warwickshire Avon.
Protecting: One river. Many friends.
The Forum follows on from River Hope’s The Gathering: for water and Nature, held at the Crowne Plaza and other venues across Stratford-upon-Avon in March 2026 – and tInternational Day of Action for Rivers. Today’s event will bring together people and organisations from across the Warwickshire Avon catchment to share knowledge, make connections and explore practical action.
Restoring: Practical actions we can take.
We are delighted that Mark Barrow of Beneath British Waters will join us to present his short film: Beneath the Oars. Drawing on more than 35 years of underwater filmmaking, Mark offers a unique perspective on the changing condition of Britain’s rivers – and a reminder that recovery is possible when communities work together.
Organisations invited to participate
Angling Trust, Avon Boating, Avon Bowls Club, Avon Navigation Trust, AvonVale River Action Group, Canal & Rivers Trust, Crowne Plaza, DeneWatch, Environment Agency, Evesham Rowing Club, FoE, Greener Ettington, Holy Trinity, Leamington Angling Association, Leamington Canoe Club, Methodist Church, MP, Manuela Perteghella, Newbold Sea Scouts, RAAR, River Hope, RSC, Rubbish Friends, Rugby River Champions, Shipston Area Flood Action Group (SAFAG), SafeAvon, Severn Rivers Trust, Severn Trent, Shakespeare Marina, Stratford on Avon District Council, Stratford upon Avon Town Council, Storm Geomantics, Stratford Angling, Stratford Golf Club, Stratford on Avon Kayaks (SOAK), Stratford Sea Cadets, Stratford Sports Club, Stratford Town Trust, Stratford upon Avon Paddle Boarders (SUP), Stratford Wildlife Friends, SWAN, Think Active Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire, University of Warwick Boat Club, Warwickshire Avon Against Pollution (WAAP), Warwick Boat Club, Warwickshire Catchment Based Approach Partnership, Warwickshire County Council Local Nature Partnership, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust