Alresford basked in beautiful sunshine as the 20th Annual Alresford Watercress Festival took place yesterday (Sunday 19 May) and to cap it all the town could soon claim to be home to a genuine Guinness World Record holder!
Glenn Walsh, the reigning Watercress Eating Champion, just managed to pip his great rival, Sam Batho to the title yet again to retain his position as Champion. However, this year’s competition was registered as an official World Record attempt and as Glenn’s time of 28.98 seconds smashed the previous official record of 37.68s, Alresford holds its breath as it waits for the Guinness World Record adjudicators to confirm it.
Other winners at yesterday’s festival were Kate Parker from Horsechestnut Herbals. Kate was the winner of Barter’s Best – an award named after one of the founders of the Festival, Charles Barter, which celebrates the most innovative use of watercress in a product. Kate, a registered herbal medicine practitioner, won with her Watercress Cough Syrup, made from such natural goodies as honey, ginger and, of course, watercress, all known to soothe the throat and irritating coughs.
The team for Abby’s Heroes, the official charity for the festival, distributed over 4,000 bags of watercress in return for donations – the final tally is yet to be announced but it is looking to be a healthy contribution for the children’s cancer charity.
This year tours of the watercress farm were back! Tom Amery said: “It was great to see how popular the tours were with over 50 people on both. It’s definitely something we will consider doing more of next year. People seem genuinely interested in seeing how watercress is grown as it is a unique crop growing in flowing spring water and not planted on the land. I think the farm was a relaxing oasis after the hustle and bustle of the festival!”
It is believed that around 18,000 people came to the festival to enjoy the more than 130 craft and food stalls and the live music from local favourites, Alresford Ukelele Jam and Pete Harris Quartet and bands from further afield, Sussex Jazz Kings and the exuberant Sambar Rock group, Tuto Tribe.
Foodies also came to watch as a raft of chefs demonstrated the versatility of watercress in a variety of dishes, from Martin Dawkins, the Rustic Chef cooking with seasonal local ingredients to a three-course meal in just 45 minutes from Andy Mackenzie and Phil Yeomans from Lainston House. There were Indian recipes from Suki Pantal showing how to combine delicious spices with watercress while 2023 MasterChef The Professionals winner, Tom Hamblet cooked his pasta favourite with a Watercress Veloute regaling the audience with tales of the show at the same time.
Claire May, Festival Manager summed up the success of the Festival: “It’s been another fantastic year attracting huge crowds to Alresford. I’m immensely grateful to all our sponsors, old and new, and to the incredible band of volunteers who make it all happen. It’s a genuine community event which really puts the town and watercress on the map. Well done too to all our winners, especially Glenn, we’re all crossing our fingers he’ll be confirmed Alresford’s very only Guinness World Record Holder. See you all next year!”
