News Archive

08 March 2017
We are moving! From 20th March our new office address will be: Avebury, Elcot Park, Elcot Lane Marlborough, SN8 2BG Tele 01672 512700
02 March 2017
Farmers, Foresters and Land Agents are invited to attend a free 'Burger and Beer' information event to find out how the 'Facilitation Fund' can help farmers. The event is supported by North Wessex Downs AONB and will be held at the Queen's Arms pub at East Garston. Click here to find out more.

The Countryside Stewardship (CS) facilitation fund is a Natural England scheme that supports people and organisations that bring farmers, foresters, and other land managers together to improve the local natural environment at a landscape scale. 
Funding is awarded to successful applications which show partnership and a collective approach across holdings. This scheme offers an uplift in points should you wish to enter or renew your agri-environment agreement. However you do not have to be in an agreement to participate.
The North Wessex Downs AONB is offering to support a group of new or existing land managers (farmers, foresters and/or others) - there is no obligation to sign up, just come and listen.
09 December 2016
The latest Riverfly data for January 2017.

Read the full Riverfly report for the month. [Read more]
11 November 2016
On Monday Action for the River Kennet held it's AGM.  Landscape Artchitect, Kevin Barton demonstrated how rain gardens in towns and villages can prevent river pollution and protect river flows.  There are many applications for these 'Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems' along the Kennet Valley to improve and protect our River.

Entomologist Dr Cyril Bennet explained the importance of understanding exactly the condition of our rivers today so that we can protect them for the future using the latest techniques in invertebrate monitoring. 

Click here for full Press Release on the ARK AGM 2016
21 October 2016
Voting is now open - vote for us and help us secure Aviva Community Funding. 

You can vote directly here - you can vote up to TEN times !

vote for ARK for Aviva funding
18 October 2016

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) was thrilled to accept an award for achieving Outstanding (the highest level) for Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, including Stonebridge Meadow, Marlborough in the It’s Your Neighbourhood awards at a the South West in Bloom ceremony held last week in Taunton.

The meadow is jointly owned by ARK and Marlborough Town Council. The project was described as excellent throughout’. The judges particularly praised the exceptional level of public involvement and community engagement. Their comments included references to the huge diversity of wildlife present, good links with local schools, the conservation grazing sheep, the wetland and the extensive tree planting to create a native hedge for wildlife.

“Stonebridge is a long-term project and has had, and continues to have, input from so many individuals and groups of all ages. Most of it would be impossible without our brilliant volunteers, who muck in to a variety of tasks in all weathers, throughout the seasons. From river restoration to hedge maintenance, litter picking to wildlife surveying. I would also like to acknowledge the input from Marlborough Town Council, particularly Head Groundsman Richard Beale.”, said ARK Project Officer Anna Forbes.   For the full Press Release click here


01 June 2016
A new report released this week has confirmed the poor ecological state of the River Lambourn, one of the Kennet's key tributaries.  However, it is not all bad news as work is being carried out to improve practices.  Click here for the full press release.




10 May 2016
The Wetland area at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve has been officially opened by Claire Perry MP

Press release: Marlborough wetland officially opened
21 April 2016
Enter our Ecover Competition!  
A clean home needn't mean a dirty river.  By choosing low phosphate or phosphate free cleaning products you can kep our rivers cleaner. 

Enter our competition to win a fantastic bundle of ecover products and a year's free membership of ARK.   To enter from this page click here and send us your full name, contact email and contact phone number. 

Click here to find out more about our 'Fewer Phosphates' campaign

No Phosphate competition
05 April 2016
A dead Otter found near the River Kennet in Marlborough has had it's cause of death confirmed as poisoning.