Eel Fest will be held at the Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough on August 29, running from 10am to 1pm. Organised by ARK, the event aims to raise awareness of the critically endangered European eel and the organisation’s conservation efforts along the River Kennet. The event will offer a variety of free activities, including ARK’s River School, nature walks through the water meadow, eel-themed face painting, an obstacle course, and even an eel-wanging competition. The European eel was once common in the Kennet but is now rare. ARK is a partner in the Thames Catchment Community Eels Project - Development Phase, a multi-partner project, led by Thames Rivers Trust.