Watercress in Hertfordshire

by John Lea

Short extract, relating to the Sansom family of Watercress growers

Hertfordshire Countryside Winter 1947-8

It is only for a little over one hundred years that serious attention has been given to the commercial cultivation of water­cress in this country, and in the movement Hertford shire occupied a pioneer position. To mention watercress in Hertfordshire is to be immediately reminded of the name of Sansom, for the family has been cultivating the plant for five generations. William Sansom came from Oxfordshire and started growing watercress at Two Waters, Boxmoor, probably in the: year 1837. His younger son Charles succeeded him there, but John, the elder, branched out in a bigger way at Redbourn, and four of John's sons became cultivators of cress at Watford (Cassiobury), Rickmansworth, Whitwell, Hitchin, St. Albans. Welwyn and other place. One surviving son of this third generation, Arthur, continues at Whitwell and Hitchin. The family occupation is being carried on by the fourth generation, and a fifth has become active in it. The Payne family was also among the early growers, and from time to time other growers have become established in the county, some of them having received their training while on the staff of the Sansoms.

See also Tar Damage to Watercress Beds at Hemel Hempstead - in 1914

 

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