Water day: that was the verdict of crowds and organisers after a Hampshire foodstuff was given the festival treatment.
Green was the colour on Sunday, May 19, as around 18,000 people flocked to the 20th annual Alresford Watercress Festival.
The event packs more than a vitamin punch with competitions, food demonstrations, live music and dozens of stalls.
The highlight for many was the annual watercress eating championship with Glenn Walsh leaving his great rival Sam Batho green with envy.
The former overcame an ankle injury to retain his title as champion, devouring 80g of watercress in just 28.98 seconds – smashing the previous record of 37.68.
He was concerned his watercress-eating abilities might be hampered being unable to stand but he made a light lunch of the challenge.
Organisers are chomping at the bit as the competition was registered as an official Guinness world record attempt, but adjudicators have yet to make a confirmation.
Another festival winner was Kate Parker of Horsechestnut Herbals, as she picked up the Barter’s Best award for the most innovative use of watercress in a product.
The registered herbal medicine practitioner wowed judges with her watercress cough syrup, with the remedy including honey and ginger along with the fabled Hampshire salad leaf.
Sun Hill Junior School pupils Arthur Stephenson and Bella Mills were crowned Watercress King and Queen by Tom Amery, managing director of the Watercress Company. The pair also wore crowns made by florists, The Wild Bunch, before parading down Broad Street dispensing freshly harvested watercress to their adoring subjects.
Further winners included official festival charity partners Abby Heroes who distributed more than 4,000 bags of watercress in return for donations. The final tally has yet to be confirmed but the children’s cancer charity is expected to get a healthy sum.
Mr Amery was thrilled with the interest shown in the watercress farm tours with both attracting more than 50 people.
He said: “People seem genuinely interested in seeing how watercress is grown, as it’s a unique crop grown in flowing spring water and not planted on the land – I also think the farm was a relaxing oasis after the hustle and bustle of the festival.”
The event featured more than 130 and food stalls and live music from the likes of the Pete Harris Quartet, Alresford Ukelele Jam, Sussex Jazz Kings and Tuto Tribe.
The foodstuff’s versatility was also showcased in demonstrations by Martin Dawkins, Andy Mackenzie, Phil Yeomans and Suki Pantal while 2023 MasterChef: The Professionals winner Tom Hamblet cooked up his favourite pasta with a watercress velouté while entertaining crowds with his experiences of the show.
Claire May, festival manager, hailed another “fantastic year” before thanking the many sponsors and volunteers who make the event happen.
She added: “It’s a genuine community event which really puts the town and watercress on the map.
“Well done, too, to all our winners, and especially Glenn. We’re all crossing our fingers that he will be confirmed Alresford’s very own Guinness World Record Holder.”