A Day on the River Test for Our Annual Volunteering Day

This year's volunteering day took us to the Upper Test Valley in Whitchurch, where we spent the day helping to control the spread of invasive Himalayan Balsam across the water meadows of the River Test.

We also tackled the Monkey Flower that had completely clogged a stream in the Orchid Meadow, and by the end of the day it was flowing freely again. As architects we spend a lot of time thinking about and influencing the environment around us, so it was particularly rewarding to spend a day looking after one, and to see the difference a group effort can make in just a few hours.

Despite the heat, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day out of the office. Paddling in the river afterwards was a very welcome way to cool off, though a few of us were rather tempted to go in for a proper swim.

Our thanks to Lucie Follett Maitland, Chair of the Whitchurch Conservation Group, for making the whole thing happen and looking after us so well, including a delicious lunch, and to David Oakley, Conservation Officer at the Wild Trout Trust, for leading the day. His instruction and guidance made all the difference. Thanks also to the Whitchurch Conservation Group, the Whitchurch Millennium Green Trust and the Wessex Rivers Trust for making us so welcome.

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