ALRESFORD WATERCRESS
FESTIVAL 2008
ALRESFORD ∙ SUNDAY 11 MAY 2008: 10am – 4pm
This year’s Watercress Festival is taking place on Sunday 11th May 2008, the 5th annual festival will once again bring together the local community and food lovers from far and wide in a celebration of Alresford’s famous crop and one of Britain’s greatest culinary delights, watercress. In a line-up that recognises both the historic and present day importance of the well known superfood, this year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
The 2008 festival will feature an extensive Hampshire Fare food market offering delicious dishes from local producers, bands and entertainment, an arts and crafts market, street entertainers and activities for children. Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson makes a welcome return to the town to demonstrate some of the many great things you can do with the tasty crop, and to sign copies of a new book celebrating 200 years of watercress farming.
The festival is free to attend, although there is a £2 charge for parking. Further details may be found on a new festival website for this year: www.watercressfestival.org.
The Festival Parade- Led by horse and cart, the ‘2008 Watercress King & Queen’
(children from Alresford’s Sun Hill School) Morris dancers and celebrity chef Antony Worral Thompson will kick-off the Festival with a Festival Parade at 10.30am.
Antony Worrall Thompson- To celebrate 200 years of UK watercress farming, The Watercress Alliance, has created a number of mouth-watering recipes and unveils an exclusive dish courtesy of, Antony Worrall Thompson. Antony will be demonstrating these live at the festival. He will also be signing copies of a 200th anniversary book at 12pm and 2.15pm.
Hook Eagle Morris- The oldest men’s border morris side in Hampshire. Adorned with feathers, foxtails and other magical tokens, they dance ancient traditions and promise to be a sight not to be missed!
Pete Harris Band- A dynamic trio performing a heady mix of good-time blues, rockabilly and skiffle. All highly regarded performers on the local and national blues circuit. Don't miss them on the main stage at 12pm and 2pm.
Sun Hill School- Alresford’s infant and junior school children dance, performing between 11am and 11.30am.
Asha- Listen out for melodeons, violins, whistles, flutes, guitars together with some fantastic saxwork from this imaginative band. Catch them on the main stage at 10am, 12.45pm and 2.45pm.
BasingClog Morris- A mixed team who have danced all over England for more than twenty years. The group believe in dancing to entertain and are renowned for the energy and enthusiasm that they put into their dances.
The World Watercress Eating Championships- Sign up at the main stage from 10.45
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