Tuesday, July 9 was eel release day on the River Kennet for Ramsbury Primary School’s Year 3 pupils. The eels were released on the beautiful Avington Estate near Hungerford after being carefully tended by the pupils for several months in the school classroom.
Mrs Hinder is the Class 3 teacher at Ramsbury Primary School: “The project has been absolutely marvellous. We used it in a cross curricular way. Not only have the children learned about the amazing lifecycle of the European Eel but with Anna and ARK’s (Action for the River Kennet) support they have learned about the importance of saving water and keeping our water ways free from pollution.”
“They have written poems, created fabric hangings, designed posters and used eel shapes to print. The children have been enthusiastic about all their learning and produced high quality work as a result of their interest.”
Anna Forbes is ARK’s Project Officer: “The pupils have been highly committed to the project which promotes a greater understanding of the critically endangered eel and its lifecycle. A phenomenal number of eels survived because the pupils put a proper effort into maintaining water quality in the eel tank. This is one of the highest success rates we have seen.”
The 2019 ARK Eel Project has involved five primary schools in Wiltshire and Berkshire: Great Bedwyn, Ramsbury, Stockcross, Welford and Wickham, St Michael’s Aldbourne.
The aim of the project is to connect children with the river in a hands on way. It promotes understanding of the local wildlife that depends on a healthy flowing chalk stream.
The project also helps pupils understand that we can all play a part in being water smart leaving more water to reach our rivers.
The Ramsbury pupils spent the whole day on the Avington Estate. After releasing the eels they went on a river bank walk to spot wildlife that lives by the river and to fill in their ARK passports.
ARK are grateful to the Avington Estate for hosting the eel release days. 
Second Defibrillator arranged and installed by Marlborough Youth Football Club at the Bowls Club
