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The Alresford Watercress Festival owes a huge amount to the many local volunteers who work tirelessly during the months leading up to the festival and on the day itself.
Teams and individuals will be busy booking performers, children's entertainers, celebrity chefs and stall-holders, inviting entries for the Eateries and Food Awards, liaising with the Emergency Services and licensing authorities, issuing press releases, designing artwork and writing copy for the programme, flyer, poster and website. Some will be pounding the pavements selling space to advertisers and seeking sponsors. Others will arrange the logistics including traffic signs, loos, stage, cookery demo unit, power supplies, walkie-talkies, etc. Car parks will be booked and the traffic management plan agreed with the Police and other authorities.
On the day of the festival, over 100 volunteers will act as marshals to manage car parks, man traffic barriers, assist set-up the markets, ensure the site is neat, tidy and litter-free, provide assistance to many of the 10,000 visitors and perform numerous other tasks...always striving to ensure that visitors have a happy, enjoyable and truly memorable time at the festival.
Their efforts, dedication and happy disposition serve to ensure that the festival continues to feature as such an important event in the town's calendar. They also give a very good impression of a group of people who are enjoying themselves!
The organisations involved are
- Alresford Rugby Club
- Old Alresford Cricket Club
- Alresford Young Farmers
- Alresford PIGS Association
- Alresford Rotary Club
-
Alresford & Cheriton Scout Group
-
St John's Church
The same sentiments can also be expressed of the sponsors, partners and advertisers without whose generous help we could not offer such an amazingly good FREE day out.
Principal Sponsor: The Watercress Alliance
The Watercress Alliance, principal sponsor of The Watercress Festival, comprises Vitacress White Salads Group, Alresford Salads and The Watercress Company. The companies joined forces in 2003 to raise the profile of this great British ingredient, a major part of which was the development of the Alresford Watercress Festival.
www.watercress.co.uk
www.watercress.co.uk
Alresford Chamber Of Commerce
Established over 70 years ago, the Alresford Chamber of Commerce is a thriving organisation dedicated to supporting and representing businesses around the town with over 120 members, from sole-traders to large businesses. The Chamber plays an active role in the organisation of the festival as well as providing financial support. Look out for the Alresford Bag for Life, a popular way to help the town do its bit for the environment!
www.alresford.org
www.alresford.org
New Alresford Town Council
NATC is actively involved in the organisation and management of the festival and provides generous financial support. NATC is responsible for promoting tourism in the town and will be ensuring that the hanging baskets and floral displays will be in place on the festival day.
Hampshire Farmers Markets
Local food for local people – that’s what Hampshire Farmers’ Markets are about. All produce being sold must have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed in the county or within ten miles of its borders. This means everyone benefits. The produce is always of the highest quality and freshness with no premium for food miles. So it's a chance to get the very best produce, direct to you, at the very best value.
Lainston House Hotel
Just two miles outside the ancient cathedral city of Winchester, Lainston House is a beautiful 17th Century country house nestling in 63 acres of stunning countryside. With 50 individually designed guestrooms and breathtaking views down the mile-long avenue of lime trees from the 3 AA Rosette restaurant, it is a tranquil haven of quintessential Englishness. There has never been a better time to visit as Executive Head Chef, Andy MacKenzie, was voted "Hampshire Food & Drink Chef of the Year" for two years running!
The Co-operative
Southern Co-operative genuinely believe that they are a unique local business and more than just a local shop. At the 'heart of our communities', they are involved in fundraising events, run Community Support Card schemes in various stores and develop working partnerships with organisations that clearly do a lot of good! They are delighted to continue with their support of the Alresford Watercress Festival.
Hildon Natural Mineral Water comes from beneath the chalk hills of the beautiful Hampshire countryside. The water is bottled at source and has long been the water of choice at prestigious venues such as The Savoy, The Royal Opera House, Guards Polo Club and the House of Commons. It is now possible to have this fine water delivered to your door, to enjoy in your own home.
Hampshire, The County Magazine is Hampshire's premier monthly magazine. Founded in 1960, the magazine is proud to be the only publication which has been granted permission to carry the prestigious county coat of arms. The magazine is renowned for its diverse range of articles and features, covering every aspect of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – past, present and future. Each month, it focuses on different towns and villages throughout Hampshire.
