See us on Countryfile!

The Watercress Way trustees and volunteers were very happy to welcome Countryfile to the route earlier this month.

Today’s episode looks at Alresford and its heritage in the production of Watercress, the local railway and footpaths.

We were delighted to have the opportunity to explain how the charity is working to open and maintain the old railway routes. It features interviews with some of our trustees and shows part of the old railway in Martyr Worthy. Please watch or catch up on the iPlayer here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029lcy.

The Watercress Line

Matt Baker and Margherita Taylor commemorate 200 years since the birth of the railways with a journey on the Watercress Line in Alresford, Hampshire. They explore how the advent of steam engines connected rural England to cities, providing farmers with the vital link needed to distribute their fresh produce across the UK.

Matt visits watercress growers gearing up for this year’s crop, helps to get their gravel beds ready for seeding and learns about the role of river invertebrates in modern farming practices.

Margherita meets the people keeping the heritage line alive, helps volunteers clear a disused railway to create a new wildlife corridor, and she meets a local who has set up a community farm shop which sits in the middle of what put this area on the map – watercress beds!

Meanwhile, Tom Heap investigates the system designed to protect farmers selling to big supermarkets and asks how well it’s working.

(From the BBC website)

If you are interested in helping with our work we are always looking for more volunteers. We have a wide range of activities where we would greatly appreciate additional support. Please visit our Volunteer page or send an email to info@thewatercressway.org.uk.

You can also sign up for more information on our events and activities below.