2008 Asparagus FestivalI The 2008 British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham started with "The Great English Asparagus Run" on St Georges Day, when a "Round" of the finest Vale Asparagus was transported in a Morgan car to the House of Commons to celebrate the "Enjoy England - Celebrate St George's Day Campaign" “Gus” the Asparagus Man made his debut to the World on St George's Day and Jemima Packington - the UK's only "Asparamancer" also joined us, divining people's future by throwing asparagus spears onto the floor and making predictions based on how they land. The following press coverage is available to view Click here to see Jemima Packington in action Click here to read what the Daily Telegraph had to say about Jemima Packington Click here to see Jemima at the 2008 British Trade and Travel Fair
The following press coverage is available to view concerning the Great English Asparagus Run (Click individually to view) BBC NEWS England Fresh asparagus marks the day Official Video coverage produced by The British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham
The pinnacle events of the 2008 Festival were the Bretforton Silver Band Asparagus Auction and the Vale Festival Day held at The Fleece Inn in Bretforton. Despite torrential rain, hundreds of asparamad people attended the events over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The historic auction was held on Sunday evening, when more than £1,300 was raised for the Bretforton Silver Band. Auctioneer Colin Jelfs worked tirelessly selling some of the finest "Gras" in the world for record prices and "Gus" the asparagus man was more than happy to help!!! ! Festival Day (Bank Holiday Monday) dawned windy - but dry! Sadly this didnt last very long, and soon the heavens opened. However, true British spirit soon took over, packamacs came out, umbrellas went up, wellies were pulled on and the camaraderie among all those who had travelled from as far away as Scotland was a joy to be part of. A Farmers Market had set up in the Village square, numerous country crafts could be found in the Grand Marquee - ranging from beekeepers to wood turners . Antiques Roadshow star and local celebrity Henry Sandon opened the event and also hosted "Henrys' Roadshow" where visitors bought their own pots for him to look at and value. This proved to be a great crowd puller and Henry and his lovely wife Barbara were busy all afternoon
TV Celebrity Chef, Rachel Green - star of "Farm of Fussy Eaters" entertained a packed house with her mouthwatering asparagus food demonstrations and once again "Gus" helped out. Jemima Packington - the Country's only Asparamancer proved to be an enormous success giving predictions using asparagus spears.
The scheduled outdoor entertainment by the Pebworth Morris Men was hastily brought indoors, due to the heavy rain, but, as always they gave a crowd pleasing performance. Event organiser Nigel Smith said he was delighted with the weekends events, despite the weather. A survey of visitors to the Festival (carried out by Gus) revealed that almost 2/3rds of people attending were visiting for the first time - and they had travelled from all over the Country
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