A woman is marking her third wedding anniversary in an unconventional way—by celebrating her marriage to a river.
Meg Avon, a 29-year-old from Bristol, tied the knot with the River Avon in the South West of England, embracing a unique bond with nature.
This researcher, activist, and writer shares how she and her beloved river maintain their connection as they commemorate this milestone.
The couple exchanged vows on June 17, 2020, in a joyful ceremony aimed at protecting the river and raising awareness about water pollution.
Meg, formerly known as Trump, expresses that her love for the river remains strong even after three years.
“I still make time to swim in the river weekly, despite the winter’s challenges,” Meg shared, noting the thrill and risks of swimming during wetter months.
“But I am committed, and every experience I have in the water is lush.
“I’ve even been finding new ways to connect with the river – from swimming in various spots along the stretch to meeting people from various art and environmental communities at different points.”
The keen open water swimmer said their campaign for water protection is still “very much” in the public consciousness – particularly with the recent release of the C4 doc ‘Dirty Business’, which explores the UK sewage crisis.
Meg said, “It really is lovely to see the recognition.
“People still really connect with our local story and how much it influences the wider national story.
“A lot of the law feels incomprehensible and hard to reach and understand for a big majority of the population, so having a story that makes it relatable is so powerful.
“We all understand marriage because it’s about love and law – the governing forces!”
The campaign group Meg is also a part of, Conham Bathers, set out to initially obtain designated bathing water status in the river Avon, which they have been unable to acquire due to it’s poor water quality.
Meg said, “I’m not surprised by the water quality results.
“I think a lot of people are angry and upset still, and it is important to make people aware of what’s going on.
“It really is sad, but I still see so much beauty.
“The water doesn’t feel disgusting and awful every day.
“On the days when water is clearer, it makes me hopeful that the river can be like that every day.
“Getting in the water is one of the quickest and easiest ways to completely immerse yourself in nature, which is what young people need now more than ever before, with the rise of technology.
“It’s important to keep raising awareness of how people can use that fear and outrage into something that is motivating and not off-putting!”
Her campaign group also hopes to obtain personhood rights for the river Avon, which would not only help in the fight to protect it, but also enable the two to “renew their vows” and be “officially” wed.
Meg said, “I don’t believe the river is an object.
“I think it is an actual entity that deserves rights like any other living thing.
“Though in legal terms, the river is still viewed as an object and not a subject with rights – so you can’t legally marry an object.
“But if we obtain these rights for the river, hopefully I’ll be able to renew my vows and legally marry the river!
“I might even wear a suit this time.
“We are likely to put the charter forward this year – it would be amazing if it came into effect, and it is possible.”
Meg says she is meeting with councillors across the country in an attempt to bring about the UK’s first cross council charter recognising the rights of the river.
