FESTIVAL WEEKEND IS HERE!!!24th & 25th MayBands’ Bid for record breaking Asparagus Auction
Asparagus Growers in the Vale of Evesham, are this weekend, preparing for the “crowning” event of the British Asparagus Festival – their traditional Asparagus Auction, to be held at one of the oldest pubs in the Country and owned by The National Trust – The Fleece Inn in Bretforton, Worcestershire In aid of the Bretforton Silver Band
In addition to numerous smaller rounds, the famous “100” and half hundred rounds of “Gras” as it is affectionately called – will have been diligently bound in willow by the master of his craft – local grower, Bill Byrd. Throughout the evening they will be auctioned by asparamad auctioneer Colin Jelfs
Sunday nights’ Asparagus Auction is the pinnacle event of many taking place throughout the two month long British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham.
The following day also at The Fleece is the official “Festival Day” To be opened by local celebrity Henry Sandon and complete with cookery demonstrations, asparagus meals and tastings, the Hook Norton dray & horses, Jemima, the Worlds only Asparamcer, Gus, the famous Asparagus Man, local ales, ciders and wines, local arts & crafts, folklore customs & traditions, childrens activities, a farmers market, Jacobean dancers…. and much more to complete a great family day out.
Nigel Smith, landlord of The Fleece says:
“A weekend dedicated to Asparagus ……. What more could asparagus lovers want? From Asparadogs to Asparagus Ice cream …. we will have it all. As well as attracting a lot of local interest – this year we also have visitors who have travelled from as far away as America. Here in the Vale of Evesham we are so proud of our asparagus and our horticultural heritage - what better way to celebrate it”
A full weekend programme of events is available (please click to view) or call Nigel Smith on 01386 831173
‘An Ode to Asparagus’by Trevor Harrison aka Eddie Grundy from "The Archers"
You make no sound, you make no fuss, O great and noble asparagus. Upon this date, to you we hail The finest spears in this fine vale. You are so grand, so pure and able And you can grace any great table. Your flavour is famous but it would be kinder If I knew a way to make asparagus cider! You have got what every vegetable doth desire, To be planted, born and bred it fairest Worcestershire! 2009 British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of EveshamSt George's Day is officially the start of the English Asparagus Season, it also marks the start of The British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham, a two month long event which celebrates the World's finest "Gras" and honours the growing, harvesting and eating of this sumptious delicacy. Organisers, hope that as the Festival gains National and International recognition, English Asparagus will become to St Georges Day what Guinness is to St Patricks' Day!!! To honour the start of this prestigious Festival, the launch event took place from on the 23rd April at the Bell Tower in Abbey Park, Evesham
The Vale of Evesham puts the "spear" into Shakespeare!
Worcestershires' Vale of Evesham celebrated St Georges' Day in style with the great and the good from across the county congregating beneath the towns inconic Bell Tower. Not only does the 23rd April celebrate our Patron Saint, it also signifies the start of the English Asparagus Season and the beginning of the British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham. Launching the two month long Festival , the Great English Asparagus Run - comprising of 3 Morgan Motor Cars who were carrying some very important passengers..... the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire; Mr Michael Brinton, his wife Angela and the "100" round of fine Vale Asparagus (the first outdoor cut of the season from Birlingham Nurseries, nr Pershore) and a group of runners from the Evesham Vale Running Club carrying their "Asparatorches" made their way to nearby Stratford on Avon where the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Evesham Cllr Alan Booth, presented the "Round of Gras" to Cllr Mrs Joyce Taylor, Mayor of Stratford in honour of the Shakespeare birthday celebrations.
Back in Evesham - Asparamania had really hit town ....... St George, Gus the Asparagus man, along with Jemima Packington - the worlds' only Asparamancer and crowds of asparamad wellwishers were enjoying not only music of the Avonbank Band, Morris Dancing with the Pebworth Morris Men
patriotic songs by local artist Bruno Gallone and the premier performance of "The Ode to Asparagus" by Trevor Harrison - better known to addicts as Eddie Grundy from the ever popular long unning BBC radio series The Archers
- they were also having their tastebuds tickled by the new Vale Porker - an Asparagus sausage made by Abbey Butchers from Pershore and Asparagus Scones and Jam made by Wayside Farm Shop from Wickhamford.
Many other asparagus related events and activities will take place throughout the Festival and one of the most popular are the Asparabus Tours - operated by Dudleys Coaches during May and early June. Complete with an "Asparaguide" passengers will enjoy a unique asparagus experience around the Vale of Evesham and have the opportunity to learn about its history, see it growing, taste it and even buy some. For more details and to book your seat, call 01386 792206 To enable locals and visitors alike to enjoy as many aspects of Vale of Evesham Asparagus as possible , many events and activities are planned throughout the two month Festival -
STOP PRESS!!! The Hairy Bikers dropped into Revills Farm Shop at Defford to film for a new series due to be aired later this year. Revills being one of the few places in the Country where you can buy the rare purple variety of asparagus - this was the ideal location for the guys to film. Filming took place at the Farmshop and in the asparagus fields where Si and Dave used asparabuggies to cut the "Gras" The idea behind the programme is to film from the field to the plate and the Bikers later filmed at Belle House in Pershore
Links and further details of all events can be found in the Programme section of this website
Join Our Mailing ListBy joining our mailing list, you will be the first to know about:
To join, complete the form on the Contact Us page.
|
|
– who will be playing throughout the evening - the auction is an opportunity for Vale growers to show that their asparagus is some of the finest in the world. 
who has in previous years sold them for as much as £1200!
