29th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 43 v SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES v FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Alresford Watercress Festival - Something To Look Forward To! If the January blues have been getting you down, here’s something to put a spring in your step – the 2026 Alresford Watercress Festival will be back on Sunday 17th May. Now in its 22nd year, the annual celebration to mark the start of the UK watercress season will o er all the popular attractions you know and love but with a few additions to ring the changes. e Watercress Company is opening Manor Farm to tours throughout the day, with live entertainment while you wait. For the rst time, cars can be parked on the farm for £15 which also entitles visitors to a tour, the live entertainment plus a return trip into Alresford on the shuttle bus to enjoy the rest of the festival. All money raised on the farm will go to charity. Only parking tickets for Manor Farm can be pre-booked on the festival website - other car parks run on a rst come rst serve basis on the day. Tom Amery, MD of e Watercress Company says: “We have been involved with the festival from day one and regard it as a vital way to educate the public about this incredible superfood. We ran a handful of tours last year, but they proved so popular we decided to dedicate staff to them for the whole day so hundreds more people can get a better understanding of how watercress is grown. We hope to generate several thousand pounds from the parking fee, all of which will go to Abby’s Heroes, the festival’s official charity.” A er many incredible years leading the Cookery eatre, Davina Tibbetts has retired, leaving behind a hugely respected legacy. Taking up the mantle is Natasha Dochniak of Hampshire Fare, who brings an unrivalled knowledge of Hampshire’s food scene and its outstanding producers. Natasha will welcome local chefs and artisans to the stage for engaging, live demonstrations that educate and entertain audiences, including creative ideas for cooking with Hampshire’s iconic watercress. entertainment, and they hope, the sunshine will all return! As ever the watercress festival remains free to attend but there are car parking charges. is year East Street Parking will be open to more festivalgoers, o ering the chance to park just 200 metres from the festival entrance for only £5. As this is a eld, it may not be ideal for those with mobility needs. East Street Parking will also be home to the visiting goats and hawks, so you can park up and be right on site to see them rst. Alternatively, the popular Park and Ride option from Ropley on the Watercress Line is available; see www. watercressfestival.org for all travel and parking details. Claire May, Festival Manager says: “Plans are well underway to make our 22nd festival the best yet. The organisers, and all our amazing volunteers, can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Alresford for another day of mayhem and wonderful watercress! It’s a fantastic day out for the whole family and we hope to see you there.” For more information and for regular updates about the festival visit www.watercressfestival.org or follow on Social Media. Talking of creative uses for watercress, the hugely popular World Watercress Eating Championships will move from 3pm to 1pm. Organisers hope that potential contestants who previously couldn’t stay until the end of the day will now be able to participate, while the festival will have a musical nale to bring events to a tidier conclusion! Visitors will still be able to explore the hundreds of food and cra stalls lining the streets, watch the crowning of the Watercress King and Queen and their procession down Broad Street as they dispense bunches of freshly harvested watercress, while live music, cookery demos, kids’ Watercress Eating Competition The Ampfield Market e Market is always held on the first Saturday of the month excluding January and August which are holiday months. It takes place in Amp eld Village Hall (SO51 9BJ), between 10am and 12noon. Parking and admission are free. e Market has become a very popular meeting place, o ering the best value, most delicious refreshments in Hampshire! Every e ort is made to keep the sales tables lively and interesting. ere are top quality, locally sourced items for sale including cakes, biscuits, savoury foods, honey, fresh bread, eggs, plants, fruit and veg, cra s, books, cards, wrapping paper, jewellery and collectables. ey order their fruit and veg from Hansards a very reputable local supplier and they endeavour to sell a good variety of fresh, seasonal produce every month. ey are delighted that Matt’s Bakery in Chandlers Ford is now supplying their bread each month. e Market generates almost £3,000 a year towards Village Hall funds. e Market team generously volunteer their time and baking skills to provide a delicious seasonal selection of cakes every month, which are served with co ee and tea throughout the morning. e next Amp eld Market will take place on Saturday 7th February between 10am and 12noon. Here are some more Market dates for your diary: 7th March, 4th April and 2nd May. If you would like to rent a table in the future or would just like more general information, then please contact Julie Trotter via; julie@amp eld.org.uk Waterside Boardgaming Waterside Boardgaming’s next monthly meet up is on Sunday 8th February, 2pm–7pm, at St Andrew’s Church in Dibden Purlieu, with free parking at the front of the church or at the rear in Oak Road. Open to all ages, £3 per person (under 11’s free), a tuck shop will be available or bring your own drinks and snacks. Waterside Boardgaming operate a hosting service and help match attendees to the right games and groups along with game recommendations and can help teach you how to play, or choose from the free-to-play library, they have a great range of games suitable for all ages and preferences. For more information visit: www. facebook.com/groups/watersideboardgaming Minstead Trust and Furzey Gardens Hythe Townswomen’s Guild’s next meeting on Wednesday 12th February will be a talk on Minstead Trust and Furzey Gardens by Julie Baker. On Wednesday 12th March is their AGM. Meetings take place at St Andrew’s Church starting at 2pm. New members are welcome to join this great group of ladies who make it a lovely way to spend two hours. As well as regular meetings they also have interest groups including Knit and Natter, lunch club and a skittles team. For more information about Hythe Townswomen’s Guild please email: dukie9@gmail.com VETERANS BREAKFAST CLUB Hythe Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club takes place on the second Saturday of every month at Hythe & District Social Club, Pylewell Road, Hythe. Go along on Saturday 14th February to enjoy the social interaction and banter with fellow veterans which will help improve your mental health and is good for PTSD. For more details text Graham on 07526 507053 or nd them on Facebook (Hythe Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club).
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