The Stour

Tarrant

The Tarrant gives its name to a number of villages in Dorset between Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster: Tarrant Gunville, Tarrant Hinton, Tarrant Launceston. The name 'Tarrant' implies 'trespasser' - it often emerges in its upper reaches to flow along the road. Or has the road taken advantage of the winterbourne bed?

Although it is a winterbourne, the Tarrant has been drying up in winter as well: 'The Tarrant is a typical chalk winterbourne and during the summer months the upper reaches of the river have historically dried up. In 1995, the river totally dried up and in 1996 [it] dried up in and downstream of Tarrant Keyneston. There is considerable local concern, particularly about the lower Tarrant. There are two public water supply abstractions operated by Wessex Water Services, one at Stubhampton in the headwaters ... and one at Shapwick in the valley of the Stour. For a number of years there have been concerns about the possible adverse effects these abstractions may have on flows in the Tarrant' (Dorset Local Environment Agency Plan, 1997).

The River Tarrant Protection Society is working to improve the amenity and wildlife value of the river. They have a web-site you can visit.