Dawn to Dusk Day 2022

The Watercress Way celebrated Dawn to Dusk Day on Sunday 24 April 2022.

The Charity started in 2016, but Covid gaps meant that this year was the 5th Dawn to Dusk Day. The walks, a little shorter this year, were supported by walkers all along the Watercress Way.

As usual, events were held throughout the day to introduce walkers to the ecology, the accessibility and the railway history along the circular route. A small team of local runners completed the full marathon length on the day too!

Thanks to our volunteers who played a key part on the day. Especially Mike who joined us to lead the Dawn Chorus walk with trustee Clive. Starting the walk at 4.30am was a bit of a strain, but our intrepid group walked along the river side, and recorded hearing the songs of 40 birds over the variety of terrain in our loop around Alresford. Trustee Chris captured the beautiful sunrise over Drove Lane too.

Our morning walk in Kings Worthy, showed walkers the ‘before and after’ sections of the railway line. Chris Cornell joined trustees Jackie and Julie to explain the complicated arrangement of railway lines south of Worthy Down Halt. Passenger trains sped through and freight trains trundled obligingly along the main line to give walkers better understanding of this 3km route! Adults helped children to find the ‘mouse house doors’ hidden along the way- but we lost one! If you see this one made of glass (pictured), we’d love it back please!

The afternoon walk started at The Gratton in Sutton Scotney. Walkers heard about the unique environment of the Chalk stream, so well managed by The Gratton Trust, railway expert Chris joined again to describe the significance of the station and plans for the old bridge on Wonston Road. The walk continued on the old droves, stopping along the way at The Wonston Arms, one of The Watercress Way’s sponsor pubs.

Finally, those still standing met at the Plough (in Itchen Abbas- another sponsor pub) .

Dawn Chorus Walk 2022 Listening by the River Arle.JPEG

Dawn Chorus Walk 2022 Sunrise at the Watercress Beds.JPG

Sutton Scotney Walk 2022 Under Wonston Bridge.JPEG

Sutton Scotney Walk by the River Dever.JPEG

Sutton Scotney Walk meeting at the Gratton.JPEG

Sutton Scotney Walk Route of the old Railway.JPEG

Sutton Scotney Walk Site of the Station.JPEG

For the first time, we introduced online booking. Thank you to all participants who kindly donated a total of more than £250 which will be put towards the Wonston Road gates project, and thanks to the walk leaders - and our walkers of course!

Copies of the walk routes will be published in time for the charity’s AGM on the 16th June, when we hope to hold a bat walk if weather is good.

For news of future events, please sign up as a Friend of The Way online at www.thewatercressway.org.uk

You can donate on this site too!

Jackie Porter

Chairman

Help support the restoration of the Wonston Road Railway Bridge

Get involved with Dawn to Dusk Day 2022