Ewelme.info

Nature Notes

For the first time since the cress beds closed in 1988, the High Street has been rebuilt and planted with cress, so once again it is an attractive feature of the village and an example of a once thriving industry. As Jeremy Irons said, 'We all enjoy living in the Chilterns, with their beautiful countryside and historic towns and villages. But they will not stay that way unless we look after them. As a member of the Chiltern Society, I am pleased to act as patron to the Ewelme Project.'

Once established the cress will grow very rapidly, but because of the low water level frost may be a problem. If this happens it will only be a minor setback. About eighteen months ago, after taking advice from Gerald Smith, I selected cuttings from the best watercress on site and planted two beds of cress down stream below Yew Tree House. The reason being that there are three springs in that area which keeps the water deeper and warmer so that the cress will probably not get the frost. This I can use to replant in the High Street if necessary.

As part of our commitment to an Education programme, I am pleased to say that Ewelme School was the first school to visit the site. This was very successful. The children were very interested and asked a lot of questions. The theme of their visit was the ‘food chain’.

Desmond Dix