HAT is delighted to support the Watercress Line with a £5000 grant for their project Powering the Past; Steam, Science and Stories from the Watercress Line
This project will develop and deliver an immersive, in-person Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (known as STEM) based educational presentation programme centred on the heritage and archival collections of the Watercress Line. The presentation will be designed for visiting school groups and adapted as an outreach resource for community organisations. The experience will combine live demonstration, storytelling, and interactive learning. It will explore:
The science of steam power, including thermodynamics, forces, and motion
* Engineering principles behind locomotives and railway systems
* Historical development of the railway and its role in Hampshire’s economy
* Personal stories of railway workers, drawing on archival material and research such as the “Railway Work, Life & Death” project which was conducted with the University of Portsmouth and the railway’s archivist to display the personal stories of people who worked on the line from the 1880s to the 1970s
* Social history, including working conditions, safety, and community life connected to the railway
Using archival photographs, documents, oral histories, and artefacts, the programme will bring history to life through engaging narratives and demonstrations. Participants will experience a multi-sensory learning environment incorporating sound, visuals, and physical interaction.
The project will create a portable version of the presentation for delivery in schools, libraries, and community venues, extending access beyond the railway site
This ambitious project starts in September 2026 and is scheduled for completion and a public launch in February 2027
