Bridge over the Upper Test near Laverstoke © Ali Morse
Heritage Structure Restoration
The beauty and bounty of our chalk streams can make them seem untouched by time, but in reality they have been moulded as much by human activity as by the titanic forces of nature. Ever since the first floodplain settlements, people have found ways to harness the water's power for their own purposes.
Today, the landscape is peppered with the echoes of this relationship, from sluices and weirs to bridges, mills, and defunct watercress beds. Some are well preserved, but many more are crumbling into remnants. This is especially true of our water meadow systems, several of which have been lost to neglect in recent years.
This degradation leaves onlookers mystified about the structures' origins and unaware of their heritage value. But these fragments of history are crucial to understanding how our lives have shaped, and been shaped by, the streams. They have a great deal to teach us about not only our past, but our future too.
Our solution is the Heritage Structure Restoration project, which forms part of Watercress and Winterbournes. Under expert guidance, our volunteers are learning the specialist skills needed to restore key structures of national significance, as well as smaller structures in their local areas.
Opening of the renovated Alresford Eel House. Pictured left to right: Kathryn Boler (HIWWT), Claudia Arney (landowner), Robin Atkins and Louise Woods (both New Alresford Town Trust), and Steve Brine (MP for Winchester and Chandler's Ford) © Simon Cain
Alresford Eel House
Built in the 1820s to trap eels for consumption, this unusual building is almost unique in the UK. The structure, which spans the River Arle, has been carefully maintained for many years by the New Alresford Town Trust. On some occasions, however, more extensive restoration is needed - in autumn 2020, we were pleased to support crucial repairs to this fascinating heritage feature.
Volunteers restore a water meadow heritage structure at Bere Mill © HIWWT
Bere Mill
The grounds of this historic mill contain several unusual water meadow structures, but their condition declined as the way in which the land was used changed. In summer 2021, our volunteers spent several months on site restoring two bridges and three hatch pools. By repairing the brickwork, we have returned these structures to excellent examples of water meadow heritage.