FOOD producers around the Vale will be highlighted on national TV this week when Sir Terry Wogan's latest venture airs his visit to the district in summer in an episode produced and directed by a local man.
Sir Terry and London cabbie Mason McQueen travelled the country following American travel writer Samual Chamberlain's 1960s publication 'British Bouquet: An Epicurean Tour of Britain'.
The series, 'Terry and Mason's Great Food Trip' began its daily airing on BBC2 at 6.30pm each weekday on Monday August 31.
Former Fladbury resident, Tom Richardson, whose family still lives in the district, has filmed seven of the 20 episodes including the Evesham one where Sir Terry and Mason samples dishes in the district including a pork pie wedding cake. He also gets to sample fish pie in Broadway as well as a breakfast a butty at Hampton Ferry and meets local members of Growers United at Bretforton where he plays football. He also couldn't leave the Vale without sampling the local delicacy, asparagus, which was at the height of the season when he visited nor witness the work of a plum charmer.
Mr Richardson, who attended Pinvin Primary School and Pershore High School before reading economics and social history at Leicester University and now lives in London is a freelance producer and director. He said he enjoyed filming his seven episodes.
"Sir Terry and Mason obviously enjoyed their food tasting and Sir Terry brought his great humour into the series. I filmed him around the Vale as well as in places such as Oxford, Birmingham and Bath. We also filmed an episode in Wells where he was mobbed but he took it all in his stride. He really is a national hero, very funny and always in good spirits and generous with his time.
"Each of the half hour episodes explores a town or city and all that is has to offer in terms of cuisine. Evesham does itself proud as they meet the locals and try the regional delicacies. He seemed to enjoy the taste tests," said Mr Richardson.
The Evesham episode is being shown on Thursday September 3 at 6.30pm.
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