Veteran reporter GERRY BARNETT hitched a lift in a Morgan sportscar as a ‘hundred’ of the Vale’s finest gras was taken to the Queen in London. Here he describes a day full of colour, pageantry and – of course – lots of asparagus A TRIP from Bretforton to the House of Commons via Evesham, Stratford and Buckingham Palace marked the launch of the British Asparagus Festival in the Vale of Evesham on St George’s Day.

“It was a really brilliant day,” said Angela Tidmarsh, chairman of the festival and tourism officer with Wychavon District Council.

“We were well received everywhere we went and brought asparagus to the forefront, benefiting not only the growers but farm shops and restaurants as well as gaining massive publicity nationally for the Vale.”

The historic Fleece Inn, Bretforton, was the venue for the launch where Trevor Harrison, also known as Eddie Grundy of The Archers, read his Ode to Asparagus, and Jack Hegarty, managing director of Wychavon District Council, welcomed the chairman of Wychavon, Coun Tony Miller, and the mayor of Evesham, Coun Jim Bulman. Entertainment included Gus the asparagus man, ‘asparamancer’ Jemima Packington – who predicts the future using asparagus spears, Pebworth Morris Dancers, folk musicians and a brass band.

After Evesham Vale Running Club had set off for their run to Stratford, what was described by Mr Hegarty as “probably the biggest round of asparagus in the world” was towed by a matching green tractor from Chris Tallis Farm Machinery, of Hinton-on-the- Green, followed by a Morgan car and a coach with the official party, into Evesham for the launch by Transition Evesham Vale of its new edition of the Vale Local Food Directory.

Chairman David Haslam, said: “Hopefully most Vale residents are aware of the excellence of local produce and already support our producers. However, last year, at the height of the growing season, we discovered most Evesham supermarkets were selling asparagus from Peru and plums from Spain and elsewhere. Think of all the air miles and lorry miles this creates. During the growing season always think Vale first.”

The giant asparagus then accompanied in procession to Stratford where a bundle of Vale gras was presented to the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire who in turn passed it on to Diane Owen, director of the Shakespeare Birthday Trust, as part of the Bard’s birthday celebrations.

“I am sure Shakespeare would have enjoyed asparagus,” she said. “We are delighted to have this connection with asparagus with our neighbours from across the border. Let’s hope it continues because it is a wonderful thing.”

The giant round was transported back to Evesham as the asparagus festival members went on to London where Gus and Nigel Smith, still in his Morris costume and carrying another bundle of Vale gras, were surrounding by sightseers clamouring for pictures as they walked to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen was not in residence by a private secretary received it on her behalf and said he was sure she would enjoy it the following day. The private secretary and other members of staff were treated to readings by Jemima the asparamancer in the Palace and a policeman on the gate went home with a round given to him by Gus.

“It was rather unusual,” the private secretary said.

At Portcullis House, the asparagus festival contingent was joined by growers from across the West Midlands at a reception hosted by Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, for the launch of the report Getting to the Heart of Horticulture, part funded by Wychavon, highlighting opportunities and challenges for the horticulture and potato sectors in the West Midlands.

Jim Piace, the agriculture minister, was among the guests and congratulated all involved with the report and pledged support for the future of the industry.

Mr Luff said: “I was very pleased with the way it went.

It got a lot of the big players together and provided them with an opportunity to speak with a number of MPs from across the region.”