TARCA will once again be in attendance at the Hawk Conservancy's Big Wild Weekend which is taking place on August 8th and 9th. We will have a display showing the activities that we perform on the Anton and the surrounding areas and we will also have bug hotel making.

More details of the event can be found on the Hawk Conservancy website: https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/events/big-wild-weekend/

On Saturday 1st August, TARCA volunteers and TVBC Countryside Officers held another excellently attended Family Fun Discovery Day at Anton Lakes. Among the activities were crafts, such as simple kite making and clay animals, bird box making and pond dipping. Some of the interesting things found in the pond dipping were a water scorpion, water stick insects and a large number of efts (young newts). (Photos: Terry Stevens, Jenny Brain, Brian Cartwright)

It is with great honour that TARCA has been selected as the winner of the Blue Spaces category of the Hampshire Countryside Awards.

In making the award here is what the judges said:

'The Anton River Conservation Association (TARCA) is a local initiative, which has been going strong for over 15 years. The Anton River is an important chalk stream and thus in clear need of conservation efforts. Reliant on involvement of volunteers – members of all ages meet regularly to conduct practical conservation work, improving and managing wildlife habitats: eg scrub clearance, tree-planting, coppicing, hedge-laying, maintaining watercress beds and litter picking. Good to note collaboration with Test Valley Borough Council. Great that children’s nature activities are offered, such as birdbox-making and craft activities. An excellent project.'

'Albeit less well known than the Test, Itchen and Meon, the River Anton is an important part of the chalk stream network within Hampshire, which is nationally and internationally recognised. Maintenance to conserve, improve and manage wildlife along its route is vital to its wellbeing, now and for the future. The work will also educate and train club volunteers. A very worthwhile venture."

There is a short video provided by the Hampshire Countryside Awards

https://youtu.be/9F0xj_7koKw?si=luD19JHnSRY2ZMvE

TARCA along with the other category winners now go forward to the CPRE Centenary National Awards in 2026. 

TARCA are very grateful to the Newbury Building Society for a grant of £300 from their Community Support Scheme.

The grant will support the work and community events of the group. The funding will help purchase tools, PPE (including waders), and resources for the annual free Family Discovery Day, including pond dipping kits, gazebos, and tables.

With TARCA volunteers is Cliff Osborne, Andover Branch Manager, Newbury Building Society.

Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve has once again been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for 2025/26

TARCA volunteers were joined by councilors from TVBC and Andover Town Council to recognize the awarding of the Green Flag Award to Rooksbury Mill LNR.

The Green Flag Award recognizes the quality and value that this green space brings to the community.

For TVBC and TARCA it is great achievement and is a testament to the hard work put in each year into conserving the River Anton and surrounding areas.

Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve has once again been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for 2024/25

TARCA volunteers were joined by councilors from TVBC and Andover Town Council to recognize the awarding of the Green Flag Award to Rooksbury Mill LNR for the 17th year running.

The Green Flag Award recognizes the quality and value that this green space brings to the community.

For TVBC and TARCA it is great achievement and is a testament to the hard work put in each year into conserving the River Anton and surrounding site.