A woman is celebrating her third wedding anniversary with an unconventional partner – the River Avon. Meg Avon, a 29-year-old researcher, activist, and writer from Bristol, tied the knot with the river in a ceremony focused on environmental protection and raising awareness about water pollution on June 17, 2023.
Three years later, Meg, formerly known as Trump, continues to express her deep love for the River Avon. She remains committed to swimming in the river weekly, even during challenging winter conditions, finding each experience in the water delightful. Meg has been exploring new ways to connect with the river, from swimming in different areas along its course to engaging with individuals from various artistic and environmental communities.
As an avid wild swimmer, Meg and her campaign group, Conham Bathers, have been actively advocating for water conservation, especially in light of the recent airing of the documentary ‘Dirty Business’ on C4, which sheds light on the sewage crisis in the UK.
Meg emphasizes the importance of making the water quality issues known to the public and fostering a sense of hope amidst the challenges. Despite acknowledging the river’s poor water quality, she finds beauty in its clearer days and believes in the transformative power of immersing oneself in nature, particularly in a time dominated by technology.
In addition to seeking bathing water status for the River Avon, the campaign group is pushing for personhood rights for the river to enhance protection measures and potentially allow Meg to renew her vows and legally marry the river. Meg envisions a future where the river is recognized as a living entity deserving of rights like any other organism.
She is actively engaging with officials across the country to establish the UK’s first cross-council charter recognizing the River Avon’s rights. This initiative aims to bring legal recognition to the river’s significance and pave the way for a deeper commitment to its preservation and well-being.
