Event highlights Marlborough resilience to floods and drought

Waters of Change was launched following the Storm Henk floods that devastated the town in January 2024.

Storm Henk hit Marlborough on January 5 after an extended period of rain. Large parts of the town were underwater, and many homes and businesses suffered internal flooding.

Residents of Town Mill, a retirement complex on an island in the Kennet, were evacuated to Marlborough Town Hall, and the A4 had to be closed after some drivers attempted to drive through floodwater, creating bow waves that pushed more water – including, rain water, river water and raw sewage – into properties on both sides.

The incident led to improved flood defences, including the appointment of 13 flood wardens, who are trained to respond to flood emergencies.

Their routine tasks include regular checks for blocked gullies.

But the project also looks at the resilience of the town to drought, and how the community might cope with a dry River Kennet.

The upper reaches of the rare chalk river - which is today rich in wildlife, and famous for its trout fishing - dried up in the 1990s, leading to the formation of the campaign group Action for the River Kennet (ARK).

Waters of Change - Marlborough's Journey Toward Resilience was a collaboration between Erika Peklanska, a postgraduate researcher at the school of environment at the University of the West of England, and 'local champions' including Marlborough Town Council, Action for the River Kennet, Transition Marlborough, Wiltshire Council, the Environment Agency, and local farmers, businesses and residents.

At the showcase event, visitors will be able to explore local experiences of floods and droughts, discover some of the science in accessible ways.

Erika told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "At a time when so much news about the environment can feel overwhelming, this project shows that people are not powerless.

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"It reminds us that communities have agency, that they can shape their own future, become advocates for the places they care about, and inspire positive change. 

"It offers a positive example of what can happen when science, creativity, and community come together.

"Above all, it is a story of hope, one that reminds us that positive change begins with people coming together to imagine and shape a better future."

The showcase will be held at Marlborough Town Hall between 1pm and 3pm.