The kits, born this summer in Ewhurst Park’s beaver enclosure, were officially named Bobby and Barry following a naming competition run by the 925-acre estate. St Gabriel’s Year 1 pupil Robyn T. was amongst the winners, with her suggestion of Barry selected for one of the young beavers. Representing Robyn, the Year 5 Pathfinders proudly accepted a trophy during the event. The name Bobby was chosen by members of the 3rd Alton Beaver Scouts Kestrel Colony.

The event featured a tour of the beaver enclosure and an awards presentation led by former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), author, and environmentalist Stanley Johnson. Speaking at the event, Mr. Johnson shared his enthusiasm:
"As the former MEP for East Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I am absolutely delighted to be here today for this wonderful beaver naming event. I want to congratulate all those who took part in the naming competition, including, of course, the winners, and the beavers themselves."

The visit was part of activities hosted by Ewhurst Park to inspire young people about nature restoration. St Gabriel’s pupils learnt about beaver ecology, explored the enclosure, and created bug hotels to provide habitats for insects—a key part of the estate’s ongoing conservation efforts.

The Pathfinders, St Gabriel’s Junior outdoor education club, were the perfect representatives for this event. Pathfinders are akin to Scouts or Brownies, offering pupils hands-on experience in teamwork, outdoor skills, and community engagement. Each term, members work towards earning badges in areas like wildlife conservation, outdoor cooking, and environmental stewardship. The club is a much-loved part of the St Gabriel’s experience, encouraging pupils to build practical skills and forge strong connections with the natural world and their wider community.

Mandy Lieu, Ewhurst Park’s director, praised the importance of engaging with the next generation:
"Education and outreach are essential to our ethos here at Ewhurst Park. We love to welcome children on site and are delighted to engage the next generation with the wonderful world of beavers and the importance of connecting with nature."

The event marked a heart-warming milestone for Hampshire’s natural environment and a memorable day for St Gabriel’s Pathfinders, who continue to embody the spirit of adventure and community at the heart of the school’s values.

You can watch the ITV Meridian News Clip here: Stanley Johnson names first beavers born in Hampshire for 400 years | ITV News Meridian.