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Fly fishing © Rob Jordan/2020VISION

Fly fishing © Rob Jordan/2020VISION

Tales from the Riverbank

For centuries our local chalk streams have been a source of inspiration for residents and visitors alike. Many have expressed their interactions with the landscape through creativity, while others are still waiting for their stories to be told.

These special places have caught the imagination of Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy, and been immortalised in acclaimed novels like The Water Babies and Watership Down. The unique qualities of the streams have been captured in visual form by artists and cherished in the memories of those who live alongside them.

Tales from the Riverbank is a project dedicated to showcasing and continuing this rich creative tradition through literature, photography, and storytelling. It forms part of the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

About the scheme

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Woman writing in nature © Matthew Roberts

Woman writing in nature © Matthew Roberts

Poetry Competition
Reading by a river © Pexels

Reading by a river © Pexels

Literature Festival

Photography Competition (Closed)

In 2021, our Tales from the Riverbank Photography Competition asked Hampshire residents to capture the magic of the Test and Itchen headwaters. The resulting entries were amazingly creative, and show the streams in all their glory.

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Oral Histories

We're seeking volunteers to collect chalk stream stories from community members across our scheme area. Gather their thoughts, memories, and experiences in audio form, discovering how their lives have been touched by the special waters on their doorstep.

Express your interest

Stories from our communities