Confluence

More Water Markets

Hampshire Water Festival

Common Ground's Water Market in Blandford Forum in August 2000 was the first of its kind and was initiated to inspire others to organise their own. Mike Bridgeman visited the Water Market and whilst engaged on the Hampshire Water Strategy began to discuss with us the possibility of creating something similar to widen interest in water conservation and wise use.

From the beginning we stressed that Winchester offered a fine choice. The River Itchen runs through the town and near by water meadows and there is a water mill at the bottom of the High Street. St Swithun is buried there, remembered for '40 days of rain' if the weather is bad on his day, July 15. King Canute, also buried in the cathedral, was big enough to want to demonstrate that despite his prowess, the tide still came in. The cathedral high altar is built directly over a holy well, and the crypt is wondrous, the water table fluctuates and the sculpture, by Anthony Gormley, of a contemplative man often has water up to his knees. The other hero is The Diver, William Walker, who at the turn of the century, spent years in a huge diving suit working underwater to shore up a corner of the building.

With assistance from Common Ground and in a partnership of local organisations, Hampshire County Council organised its first Water Festival in 2003 on August 16 in Winchester.

Around 10,000 visitors came to the Festival. At the Water Market in the Cathedral Close companies sold rivery produce such as fish and watercress, drought and water tolerant plants were on sale, the Green Shop advised on, displayed and sold a wide variety of rainwater harvesting goods, water-based paints, books and much more. Common Ground had a stall and display offering advice on conservation and celebration based upon our projects such as Confluence and local distinctiveness and selling books such as our 'The River's Voice' anthology of mainly twentieth century poetry. There were many free events along the River Itchen - guided tours of Winnall Moors Nature Reserve, water history and engineering walks by Blue Badge Tourists Guides, water meadows tours, an open day at the Canoe Club and evening bat walks. There were exhibitions and talks in the Guildhall, and the most popular event by far was The Spurting Man who gave two packed performances in the Abbey Gardens. Nine hundred people visited Winchester City Mill run by the National Trust, twice the day attendance record.

There was a second Hampshire Water Festival on August 14th 2004 and plans are in progress for making it an annual event. For further information please contact Andrew Pitt or Mike Bridgeman on 01962 846810 or email festival [at] hampshireswater.org.uk or visit their web-site.

River Parrett

In 2003 the Parrett Catchment Project, after discussions with Common Ground, put on a festival beside the River Parrett at Langport. On a windy but sunny day on May 11, a couple of dozen elegant flags on long poles perched along the bank streamed out sideways. People gathered around the poet James Crowden who opened the festival, examined the Parrett Flatner, took boat rides, looked at the sluice gate machinery, visited all the displays of relevant organisations in their marquees and bought food at the farmers market.

In 2004 they are planning a repeat event at Langport on Sunday May 23rd: Organiser Caroline Dunn says "The festival's main theme is water and land use within the Parrett catchment (incorporating the Parrett, Tone, Yeo, Cary and Isle). Every activity will link to the theme in some way. The festival will strike a balance between education and entertainment with activities to really get people thinking about the flooding issues and water management in Somerset" More than 60 contributors will make up the programme of events and "there will be opportunities to watch and learn river based skills and join in practical art workshops with a watery theme." For more information please contact Caroline Dunn on 01823 356156.

Totnes Water Festival

Tthe Devon Wildlife Trust approached Common Ground about organising a Water Festival. It was held in Totnes on September 25th 2004. as part of the Cycleau Dart Project which will look at the Dart catchment in the same way we promoted the River Stour as a hydrological and geographical entity. For more information, contact Valerie Brown on 01392 279244, email cycleau [at] devonwt.cix.co.uk or look at their web-site.