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26.04.11 Policeman swaps helmet for grass crown at the British Asparagus Festival 2011A wonderful time was had by all at the British Asparagus Festival on Saturday 23rd April, as well as being St George’s Day and Easter Saturday, it was the official start of the asparagus season when the first spears are traditionally harvested. Visitors marvelled at the many asparagus-themed delights on offer. Free tasters of asparagus cake and sausages were dished out to the hungry crowd as well as asparagus soaps, pies, pasties and jams being sold. The Aspara-Fairy even flew in especially for the festivities. As always, Jemima the amazing asparamancer was on hand with her unusual talents, predicting the future using asparagus, and Antique Roadshow host, Henry Sandon, brought his special asparagus-themed version of the programme to the event. But the highlight of this most eccentric of days was the Crowning of the Asparagus King. Onlookers were asked to choose the most worthy Kin based on whose painted green legs were most like asparagus. After rapturous applause, it was clear that Police Inspector Michael Brown from Redditch should be awarded the prestigious Grass Crown and became the reigning King of Asparagus 2011. In addition, visitors also enjoyed a convoy of Morgan cars, Morris Dancers, a brass band, St George himself, Gus the Asparagus man and English Musical Theatre, dance and song performed by local children from Vital Statistics Theatre Company.
April 2011 Have you got legs like asparagus?April 23rd sees the launch of the British Asparagus Festival which, as well as being St George’s Day and Easter Saturday, is also the official start of the asparagus season when the first spears are traditionally harvested. Bigger than ever for 2011, celebrations, supported by Destination Worcestershire, will last the entire day and, as always, look set to capture the essence of true British eccentricity. The highlight will be the Great British Asparagus Run – this year, the season’s first round of asparagus will be taken by a convoy of Morgan Cars to a top secret location to be revealed on the day. The Festival is also reviving the old tradition of crowning the Asparagus King. This involves men painting their legs green and standing behind a screen with only their legs on show. The winner, chosen by the roar of the crowd, is the man whose legs most resemble spears of asparagus, he will then be crowned the Asparagus King and wear the prestigious Gras Crown! The 23rd April also sees an assortment of English goings-on including a village fete feel to the entire centre of Evesham. As well as scores of asparagus-themed stalls, there will be free tastings of asparagus sausages, pasties, scones, jams and cakes by a host of producers. Antique Roadshow host, Henry Sandon, will be bringing a special asparagus-themed version of the programme to the event. A choir will perform the asparagus ode penned by Archer’s Trevor Harrison which has now been set to music throughout Harvington’s Asparagus festivities in May whilst Trevor himself will be getting proceedings on the 23rd underway in his own inimitable style. The unique talents of local asparamancer, Jemima Packington, will once again, be put to the test and there will be displays of asparagus art and children’s trails - just some of the things on offer. In addition, visitors can enjoy a convoy of Morgan cars, Morris Dancers, a brass band, St George himself, Gus the Asparagus man and English Musical Theatre, dance and song performed by local children from Vital Statistics Theatre Company. Celebrations continue throughout the asparagus season which ends on Midsummer’s Day in June. Asparabus Coach Tours - see asparagus being grown, taste different varieties and products, unearth the myths and legends as well as visiting the only asparagus exhibition in the world. Booking is essential on 01386 792206 Sunday 29th May - The world-famous Asparagus Auction at The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, the UK’s oldest inn and now owned by the National Trust Monday 30th May – Asparagus Festival Day also at The Fleece featuring cookery demonstrations, morris dancers, sheep shearing, asparagus tastings and menus, Henry Sandon and his Asparagus Roadshow ENDS For further information and images, please contact Sara Stewart on 07833 467774. To find out more about the Festival, visit www.britishasparagusfestival.org
Kanes Foods Ltd, Cleeve Road, Middle Littleton, Kanes Foods Celebrating Local Produce
The regeneration of horticulture within the Vale of Evesham is being celebrated by the launch of two products by Kanes Foods to coincide with the various events organized for the Asparagus Festival The products, an Asparagus Salad and an Asparagus Stirfry, will be launched on St George’s Day at The Great English Asparagus Run in Evesham and also at local farm shops. All proceeds will be given to Midlands Air Ambulance which currently services the area with three helicopters at an annual cost of £6 million. In order to maximize the contribution to the Air Ambulance local firms have supplied the ingredients and packaging free of charge. One hundred and fifty years ago, with the opening of the Worcester to Oxford railway line, the Vale of Evesham grasped the challenge of supplying produce to a national market. Over the intervening years the Vale has continued to expand its crops of fruit and vegetables with the help of new ideas, technologies and the ambition from local family growers such as Zenith Nurseries, Valefresco, EVG and F.Walker. These ambitions, over recent years, have been encouraged and supported by the large scale processing activities of Kanes Foods Ltd, also a locally owned company. Asparagus Salad 185g - asparagus, baby plum tomatoes, chard, wild rocket, watercress Contributors: Amcor Packaging, Boxes and Packaging, EVG, F.Walker, G’s, Paragon, Valefresco, Zenith Midland Air Ambulance is responsible for funding and operating 3 air ambulances to service Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and the Welsh border regions For more information and high resolution pictures contact:- Jeremy Folkard Press coverage of the FestivalClick here to see Jemima Packington in action The following press coverage is available to view concerning the Great English Asparagus Run BBC NEWS England Fresh asparagus marks the day Details of all forthcoming events and pictures from the Great English Asparagus Run can be found on the Festival website www.britishasparagusfestival.org or by calling 01386 565373.
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