v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 19TH NOVEMBERv 29th October 2026 • The HERALD • Page 81 Poets Corner The copyright of all poems that are published in The Herald belong to the author and must NOT be reproduced without their permission THE WATERCRESS LINE RECOGNISED WITH PRESTIGIOUS SANDFORD AWARD FOR HERITAGE LEARNING e Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust has been recognised with a prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Learning, celebrating the railway’s outstanding work in providing engaging, inspiring and curriculum-linked learning experiences for children and young people. e award recognises e Watercress Line’s distinctive approach to bringing history, engineering and the local environment to life through its historic railway, conserved stations, working restoration facilities and dedicated education team. e Sandford assessors praised the railway as “an inspiring place to learn”, highlighting the experience provided by its education o cer and volunteers. eir o cial citation states: “The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust is an inspiring place to learn. The experienced education officer enables children to study national curriculum related topics whether riding on a magnificent period steam train or visiting any of four conserved stations.” e assessors particularly highlighted the railway’s Operation Pied Piper programme, which explores the experiences and emotions of children evacuated during the Second World War. A combination of a steam train journey, workshops, archival material and practical activities allows pupils to engage with the subject in an immersive way. e report found that the learning programme was “well met” in engaging, informing and inspiring visitors. Assessors noted that children were absorbed throughout the day, with one pupil asked about their best memory simply answering: “the train.” e railway’s education o er also connects national history with the local area. Programmes including Operation Pied Piper, Victorians and the Railway, e Watercress Line through time and Travel and Transport use archival photographs, maps, the railway landscape and the knowledge of local volunteers to help children understand the heritage around them. Alongside history, the assessors recognised the potential of The Watercress Line’s working engineering environment to support STEM learning. e railway’s conservation workshops provide pupils with opportunities to explore steam, engineering and industrial heritage, while the report highlights the Faraday Challenge hosted at the railway as a strong model for developing opportunities for older pupils. e award also recognises the contribution of the railway’s volunteers. Sixteen education volunteers work alongside the Education O cer, bringing a wealth of experience and local knowledge to the learning programme. e assessors praised their warm welcome, careful preparation and commitment to providing safe, engaging experiences for visiting schools. e Sandford report described e Watercress Line’s learning o er as a “vibrant and unusual” provision with clear bene ts for children, recommending that its excellent progress should continue. e assessors’ o cial citation concludes: “Railway One Way Ticket by David K Wilson© For most the poppy points the way To memories of long gone days To the brave young men who went to war On a way ticket through a one way door Proudly worn November days For every soul lost and torn away A symbol of our violent past Such a high price paid but can peace last? Vibrant poppies clean and bright Bring memories of darker nights Thoughts cascade of darker days Such memories can’t be erased Some see it now through rheumy eyes Tears held back but undisguised On land at sea or in the air Death ruled life beyond compare We must never let those memories pass These sacrifices of the past They mean much to many still today Never should they fade away Buy a poppy wear with pride Give for those who stepped aside Stepped aside for us all today That we all might live without affray No one way ticket through a one way door Unlike those lads who went before Memories now of long gone days Where vibrant poppies point the way. Click-clack, rat-a-tat-tat, e pickleballers have come back. How annoying is that. ey make such a racket It’s hard to focus my attack, Or angle my racquet For a clever shuttle. When graphite bats hit holy balls eir sport sounds as subtle As a submachine gun’s Rattle at the end of our hall; But they seem to have fun. The Badminton Player’s Lament by Dave Martin© repair workshops provide information for STEM learning and knowledgeable volunteers give a warm welcome. Children are enthralled by the experience of the railway; it is an unforgettable visit.” Dan Ball, Learning Coordinator at e Watercress Line, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the Sandford Award for Heritage Education. As Learning Coordinator, it is particularly rewarding to see the dedication of our education team and volunteers recognised. The Watercress Line provides a unique opportunity for learners to experience history firsthand, bringing the past to life through our railway, people and collections. This award is a wonderful recognition of the meaningful learning experiences we strive to create for every visitor and school group.” Find out more about the Education experiences at e Watercress Line at: https://watercressline.co.uk/visit/ group-education/education-experience/ Educational School Visits at The Watercress Line The West End Comes To Colbury Totton Sing For Life Choir are staging a concert at Colbury Memorial Hall on Sunday 22nd November, 2.30pm, where they will be joined by the brilliant West End Musical eatre cast member Tim Morgan. Tim has appeared on stage in countless West End shows from Les Misérables to Moulin Rouge covering many of the main characters. He will be joined by Totton Sing For Life Choir and A Cappella group Fortuitous with a variety of well-known songs from the stage. is is a show not to be missed, with all proceeds going to Wessex Cancer Support. Tickets are available from Wessex Cancer Support call: 023 8067 2200 or from Dudley, the show’s producer: 07904452082. Please go along and join e West End in Colbury and help support this vital charity. Holbury Manor WI Holbury Manor WI is a friendly group that meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Fawley Rugby Football Club (RFC), Newlands Road, Fawley SO45 1GA at 7.30pm. On Monday 23rd November will be in-house Christmas cra making, simple ideas for ornaments and gi s, followed on Monday 14th December with their Christmas Party. Visitors are always welcome to go along to see (and hear) what they do and what being in the WI is all about! Please contact: holburysec@hampshirewi. org.uk for more details, or do go along to a meeting. Dancing in Hythe If you enjoy dancing, go along to Hythe and Dibden Parish Hall in West Street, Hythe, on Wednesday afternoons, 2pm–4pm for Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dancing. Admission £5. Refreshments provided.
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