Pye Hastings and Geoffrey Richardson of Caravan are to be given honorary fellowships by Canterbury Christ Church University for their services to music.

The long-time collaborators will be inducted at a ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral on November 30.

Hastings tells Prog: “We were informed about the nominations earlier this year, but we weren’t really sure it would come off. It all looks rather grand!”

The university, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year, awards honorary fellowships and doctorates in recognition of outstanding service. Hastings and Richardson’s conferral is a celebration of their contribution to the Canterbury sound, which they helped define after forming in the city in 1968.

Meanwhile, Caravan are preparing to tour the UK in January with special guest Garron Firth. The band are marking the 40th anniversary of their album For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night, and the set will feature a selection of songs from that album alongside tracks from recent release In The Land Of Grey And Pink plus other classics.

The current lineup includes founding member Hastings, Richardson – who joined in 1972 – keyboardist Jan Schelhaas, bassist Jim Leverton and drummer Mark Walker.

Caravan and Garron Firth UK tour 2013

Jan 8: London Queen Elizabeth Hall
Jan 9: Cambridge Junction
Jan 10: Wolverhampton Robin
Jan 12: Gateshead Sage
Jan 13: Edinburgh Queen’s Hall
Jan 14: Salford Lowry
Jan 16: Bridport Electric Palace
Jan 17: Bath Komedia
Jan 18: Tavistock The Wharf
Jan 19: Falmouth Princess Pavilion