A unique horticultural experience around the Vale of www.worcestershires-heritage-garden.org About the Vale Trail

Watered by the River Avon History of Vale and bound by the Cotswolds, and the Malverns, Horticulture lies the horticultural Vale of The Vale of Evesham has long been famous Evesham. For centuries the for its high fertility. Labelled as the ‘Garden of ’ and ‘Eden of Fertility’ the horticulture in Vale of Evesham has been the Vale of Evesham can be tracked as far back regarded as the fruit and as the early 19th century. In 1805 it was evident vegetable basket of England that asparagus, cucumber and onions were grown in considerable scales within the Vale and has provided fertile soil of Evesham before being sent to that supports the growing markets for sale. From 1825 gardening spread to the villages on the east side of Evesham and communities. became the new centre of development. At the same time the railway came to Evesham Evesham and its surrounding area have gained and in 1852 the Worcester to line a much sought after reputation for producing opened, marking the beginning of the ‘modern’ the highest quality produce. To help you enjoy period of Evesham horticulture. By 1845 it the incredible quality of the Vale’s produce, the was believed that the Vale’s garden ground Vale Trail has been designed to give you an amounted to over 500 acres providing the enhanced horticultural experience – just a taste foundations for its growing horticulture. Before of what the area has to offer. the 14th century, the climate in Western Europe was much warmer than today. Many orchards would have been covered with varieties of plums, apples, almonds, grape vines, cherries, Content chestnuts, pears, walnuts, 3 About the Vale Trail mulberry trees, gooseberries and strawberries some of 4-5 Vale of Evesham Produce which can still be seen! 6 Places to visit 8-9 Vale Trail Events Grateful thanks to 10-11 The British Asparagus Glynis Dray for our Festival cover picture 12-13 The Plum Festival ©Glynis Dray 2013 3 Vale of Seasonality Evesham FruitFruit: : Jan Jan FebFeb MarMar AprApr MayMay JunJun JulJul AugAug SepSep OctOct NovNov DecDec Produce ApplesApples BlackberriesBlackberries CherriesCherries CurrantsCurrants GooseberriesGooseberries PearsPears PlumsPlums RaspberriesRaspberries StrawberriesStrawberries Just about everything grows in Horticulture across the West is a dynamic and growing sector. A 2011 study, ‘The VegetablesVegetables the Vale of Evesham! Protected Heart of Horticulture’, found that it is efficient && Salads: Salads: Jan Jan FebFeb MarMar AprApr MayMay JunJun JulJul AugAug SepSep OctOct NovNov DecDec and an important economic driver. by the Cotswold escarpment and AsparagusAsparagus with light alluvial soils watered It is estimated to be worth £350 million at ‘farm BroadBroad Beans Beans by the River Avon, it has long gate value’ and this can be doubled when you BrusselsBrussels Sprouts Sprouts been associated with fruit and include food processing. Add the impact on to the supply chain, distribution and retail, and the CabbageCabbage vegetable growing. figures move into billions. Over 20,000 people CalabreseCalabrese work in horticulture and yet it only uses 3% of Carrots/ParsnipsCarrots/Parsnips Traditionally the growers were market gardeners the land. It’s a great success story, and driven with small plots of land in Badsey, the Littletons by the success of areas such as the Vale of CauliflowerCauliflower and . There are still small growers in Evesham and crops like asparagus, the region ChilliesChillies the Vale who operate in this way – literally market accounts for 65% of all UK asparagus with 820 gardeners growing for the wholesale markets hectares dedicated to this wonderful crop in CourgettesCourgettes or for local customers – but the demands of the . And the best, of course, comes CucumberCucumber modern supermarket customer have led to a from the Vale of Evesham! modernised, cutting edge horticultural sector. LeeksLeeks Tomatoes are now grown hydroponically, planted Other parts of the country may claim to be the LettuceLettuce in January, they produce fruit until November. Garden of England, but there isn’t anywhere MarrowsMarrows New strains of asparagus mean it can be grown else that has the diversity of the Vale, where the much longer than the traditional season from gentler pace of traditional growing living side PeasPeas St. George’s day to Midsummer’s Day. New by side with the modern methods necessary PeppersPeppers and exotic crops such as Pak Choi and a range to satisfy today’s sophisticated 24/7 Pumpkins/SquashesPumpkins/Squashes of micro herbs supplement Brassicas, field customer. vegetables and the abundant apples and plums. PurplePurple Sprouting/Broccoli Sprouting/Broccoli Runner/DwarfRunner/Dwarf Beans Beans SpringSpring Onions Onions Did you Know? SweetcornSweetcorn TomatoesTomatoes Walkers Prawn Cocktail and Tomato Ketchup flavoured crisps use Vale of Evesham 4 Tomatoes! 5 Places to visit

keep them busy; and culture vultures will revel Pershore in the art-deco Regal cinema, arts centre and The idyllic town of Pershore is situated on the historic buildings. Evesham is an ideal touring banks of Shakespeare’s Riven Avon and is centre with extensive road links to neighbouring renowned for its beautiful 13th century Norman famed attractions; the site of the battle of Abbey that sits in the award winning Abbey Evesham and the start of the famous Spring parklands. Pershore High Street boasts a Blossom Trail. wealth of independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants providing you with the perfect day out to browse for that special something Broadway and then enjoy locally sourced food, wines, Broadway has a unique position as it is nestles ales and ciders. Other attractions not to be between the Vale of Evesham and the Cotswolds missed include the award winning Number 8 making it an ideal base to visit both these Community Arts Centre and Pershore College. extraordinary places. Broadway sits comfortably Number 8 offers an exciting programme of at the foot of Fish Hill, 1206 feet high and at the events including live productions, cinema highest point of the northern Cotswolds, while on films and art gallery, while Pershore College the summit stands Broadway Tower which was is internationally renowned for its abundance built in the 18th century by the Earl of Coventry. of unrivalled resources and is the base for the Often referred to as ‘the Jewel of the Cotswolds’ Royal Horticultural Society and national centre and ‘the show village of England’ Broadway of horticulture. is home to one of the longest High Streets in England surrounded by honey coloured stone and flanked by a village green. The village Evesham provides an array of activities and is home to two At the heart of the horticultural Vale, the award museums - the Gordon Russell Design Museum, winning market town of Evesham stands on celebrating the Cotswold Craft heritage, and the Farm Shop and Vintage Style Tea Room the banks of the River Avon where fishing and newly opened Ashmolean Museum Broadway boating prove to be popular pastimes. The which brings an internationally recognised name Fresh local produce. Own-made preserves, cakes and light lunches. renowned Evesham Angling Festival celebrates to Broadway. Menus themed to Vale of Evesham blossom trail, asparagus and plum festivals. the leisure of fishing over the August Bank Come and try our Blossom Trail treats, Asparagus Jam Holiday weekend every year entertaining both and Plum Preserves! locals and travelling visitors. As featured on the Good Food Channels Shoppers are well catered for with a wide range ‘Bill’s Tasty Weekends’ and BBC Countryfile! of independent traders; active types will find plenty of sports and activities to Find us on the A44 at between Evesham and Broadway. WR11 7RT. Tel 01386 830546 www.waysidefarmshop.co.uk Follow our blog, twitter and Facebook 7 6 7 Vale Trail Events

Saturday 12 & Thursday 8 - Saturday 7 & Sunday 22 June Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 Saturday 20 & Sunday 13 April Sunday 11 May Sunday 8 June The Vale First Food July Sunday 21 September and District RHS Malvern Spring Pershore Open Festival Droitwich Spa and District Droitwich Spa and District Horticultural Society: Horticultural Society: Horticultural Society: Festival Gardens All Saints Church Yard, Spring Flower Show Three Counties Showground, 18 gardens in Pershore Evesham Summer Flower Show Autumn Flower Show Val Jancey 01905 778384 David’s Nurseries, Ash Lane, Malvern Jan Garratt 01386 553197 www.transitioneveshamvale. David’s Nurseries, Ash Lane, [email protected] Three Counties Agricultural www.ngs.org.uk org.uk Martin Hussingtree Val Jancey 01905 778384 Val Jancey 01905 778384 Society 01684 584924 Sunday 21 September [email protected] www.threecounties.co.uk Friday 13 - Friday 27 - [email protected] Sunday 29 June Specialist Plant Fair Sunday 27 April Sunday 15 June Saturday 26 July Sunday 18 May Royal Three Spetchley Plant Gardens, Specialist Plant Fair Spring Plant Fair Badsey Flower Worcester Counties Show Flower Festival Chris Pattison 01531 650480 Spetchley Plant Gardens, Hanbury Hall Show Three Counties Showground, The Church & Village Hall www.plantfair.co.uk Worcester Alison Cross 01527 821214 The Recreation Ground, Sands Malvern Jane Powell 01386 871811 Chris Pattison 01531 650480 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Lane, Badsey Three Counties Agricultural www.archbenefice.org.uk Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 www.plantfair.co.uk hanbury-hall Adrian Barradell 01386 830036 Society 01684 584924 September Saturday 28 June [email protected] Sunday 4 May Sunday 1 June www.threecounties.co.uk Malvern Autumn Transition Pershore Monday 25 August Tiddesley Wood Open Saturday 14 & Show - Food Group, Open Droitwich Spa and District Spring Open Day Gardens Three Counties Showground, Sunday 15 June Kitchen Gardens Horticultural Society: Tiddesley Wood Nature Bretforton Manor and various Eckington Flower Malvern Reserve, Pershore Graham Gooderham Annual Flower Three Counties Agricultural village locations Festival and Bob Gillmor 01386 556685 Rita Booth 01386 640696 01386 553930 Show Society www.tiddesley.org.uk www.bretforton-gardenclub.co.uk Open Gardens www.transitionpershore.org Droitwich Sports and Leisure 01684 584924 Centre www.threecounties.co.uk Monday 5 May Veronica Colling 01386 750893 Saturday 12 & Saturday 7 & www.eckington.info Val Jancey 01905 778384 Plant Heritage Sunday 8 June Sunday 13 July [email protected] Plant Fair Sunday 15 June Flower Feast - NGS Pershore College Open Gardens Open Garden for Weekend Margaret Stone 01905 830370 Ashton under Hill Plant Heritage Hanbury Hall www.plantheritage.com Alison Cross 01527 821214 John Dodge 01386 881487 Brockamin, Old Hills, www.ashtonopengardens.co.uk Callow End www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Margaret Stone 01905 830370 hanbury-hall www.plantheritage.com 8 9 Or if you would prefer to experiment in cooking Asparafest returns for the 2nd up a tasty treat with asparagus then visit a year running as this boutique wealth of local farm shops that are situated in The British festival provides an A-Z of the Vale of Evesham? You can buy it almost weekend entertainment with straight from the fields from farm shops such Asparagus a mix of magical music, the as Wayside and Revills! Or why not attend the freshest of food, fascinating Asparagus Night Cookery Demonstration at Festival farm and country crafts, Eckington Manor Cookery School on 14 May? frolicsome fun, barrels of beer and awesome This provides a great chance to get involved in the Vale of Evesham asparagus! Asparafest will take place on in a culinary masterclass and discover some Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June at fantastic asaparecipes. Ashdown Farm near Badsey. For information regarding Asparafest visit www.asparafest. If none of this takes your fancy then try co.uk or email [email protected]. and grow your own asparagus? Many local garden centres and nurseries sell asparagus crowns so you can take home a As well as taste of the Vale and savour it for years to all these come. asparagus related events 2014 welcomes back the Or if your taste buds cannot wait until mid 23 April – 21 June 2014 ’s Coaches Asparabus Tours to enjoy April, then why not pay a visit to an “Asparagus Experience” and deliver a nurseries near Pershore. They hold a The Vale of Evesham is renowned of the finest Vale asparagus transported in true value for money day out around the Vale of reputation for the earliest asparagus of “Asum style”. This year the Asparagus Festival Evesham. Complete with an asparaguide to the season from early March as it is for its production of this delicious welcomes an aspara-treasure hunt as Morgan and provide you with an entertaining insight into grown under glass. Experience vegetable – asparagus or ‘Gras’ other Classic Cars will travel in and around the Vale this majestic green vegetable. The tours take the intriguing purple range of as it is locally known. According in search for aspara-clues - leading them to the place on Wednesday 14, 21 & 28 May. asparagus from Revills farm picturesque Broadway Tower. shop where you will be to tradition the Asparagus season able to enjoy the special begins on St George’s Day and New for 2014 is the Meet Gus on variety and have a AsparaWriting Festival – a Saturday 21 June chance to purchase ends on Midsummer’s Day as your own for home relaxing, fun and uniquely writer-led series of two- at the Droitwich Spa Food cooking. local growers would ‘never cut day events throughout the asparagus season where and Drink Festival. beyond the midsummer bud’. individuals can learn about writing, Worcestershire,

This year from 23 April to 21 June asparagus and all things related. This new event also includes a short story competition open to all If you fancy tasting this luxurious delicacy then the Vale of Evesham will be going aspiring writers. Visit www.AsparaWritingFestival. why not pop in to one of the local pubs and Asparamad once again with co.uk for further information. restaurants in the Vale? Raphael’s Restaurant and The Fleece Inn, to name a few, launch numerous events taking place Another tradition is the World Famous Bretforton extensive asparagus menus throughout the throughout the area providing Silver Band Asparagus Auction on Sunday 25 festive period to tempt the palates of locals the opportunity to taste, buy, May. Taking place at the Fleece Inn, a National and visitors alike. Various accommodation Trust property, the auction is an extremely popular providers, hotels, farmhouses and guest cook and learn about one of annual ritual that sees hundreds gather in the houses will even be offering asparagus the nations most sought after courtyard to bid for the season’s largest freshest on their breakfast delicacies. local Asparagus. The Fleece Inn provides a heart menus! warming venue for all visitors throughout the entire The Great English Asparagus Run kick-starts the Asparagus season and will be welcoming families Asparagus Festival & celebrates St George’s on Monday 26 May for their Asparagus Family Fun day. This seasonal tradition sees a “100” round Day to follow the auction.

@AsparagusFest The British Asparagus Festival www.britishasparagusfestival.org [email protected] 10 11 the event grew in size and popularity and in 2008 the one day event became a month famous fruit. New for the 2014 tours is an The British long spectacle and is now one of the most added stop at Pershore College, a national The Pershore successful events the town has ever seen. centre for horticulture. You can be sure the Asparagus Plum guides will produce the ‘Plum goods’ Plum In 2014 the town will turn plum crazy for your entertainment throughout the day! Festival throughout the month of August to celebrate Festival the fruit for which it is famous. 23 – 25 August 2014 in the Vale of Evesham This August Bank Holiday weekend join the Plum Festival for a three day weekend 27 July 2014 of plum fun. Over the long weekend The From the 27 July Pershore will begin to Angel Hotel will be hosting the Big Plum, celebrate its strong plum heritage with the Beer, Food & Music festival. Plum Princess Garden Party. This unique themed garden party includes fancy dress, On Bank Holiday Monday Pershore will music, games, refreshments and the 2014 be full to the brim with plummy pleasures Plum Princess will be crowned. providing a plum crazy day out for visitors rshor Pe e coming from far and wide. The Plum 29 July 2014 Festival Fayre Day is a fun day out for all On Tuesday 29 July the festival resurrects the family at Pershore’s three time award 27 July – 25 August 2014 its prestigious history to return with the winning event with attractions throughout Plum Festival Pershore Plum Festival Family Race Night. the town including Plum Alley (plums, www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk Winner of the Best Festivals & Event Award 2011, 2012 and 2013. An evening full of Victorian and Edwardian tastings, and plum products including history of the Land O’ Plums Chase, a horse soaps, sausages and jams), During the food shortage of the First World War race ran many years ago in celebration of classic and vintage cars, History of The Pershore fruit and plums were transported by train the famous Pershore Plum. award winning farmers’ throughout the country. This was commemorated market, boat trips, arts in 1927 with Great Western Railways naming the Pershore Plum and crafts, childrens’ first and only train after a fruit… The Pershore 2 August 2014 activities and a food The Pershore plum story started Plum! The juicy reputation of the area’s plums Following two historic events, the festival village. in the 1830s when a landlord was also remembered in a horse race, the officially opens its doors on Saturday 2 popular ‘The Land O’Plums Chase’. Several August with the Pershore Plum Festival Think Pershore, of the Butcher’s Arms pub in decades later, in celebration of the continued Official Launch. Prunella the Pershore Think Purple, Church Street discovered a success of the area’s plums – Worcester Purple Plum will be present alongside a Think Plums! seedling of a wild plum growing Racecourse revived this historic race which is host of entertainment and plum fun to kick now run as part of The Pershore Plum Festival start the month long festivities. in the ancient Tiddesley Wood celebrations. on the outskirts of Pershore. The Pickled Plum will be carrying on the At the Pershore flower show in 1920 a poster plum fun with their very own Plum Factor This became known as the advertising the event described it as the “largest singing competition from 4pm. Pershore Yellow Egg Plum. plum show on earth” and 90 years later the town is striving to recreate this spectacle. 7, 14 & 21 August 2014 Then in 1890 Mr. Walter Martin of Drakes With the help of the Evesham Broughton tried a plum experiment in which he The festival was resurrected in 1996 by four Vale Tour Guides and transferred pollen from the ‘Old Black’ or ‘Purple locals, Environmentalist David Shaw, Historian Dudley’s Coaches, the Diamond’ to the ‘Rivers Early Prolific’. It was Marion Freeman, John Edgeley and Ron Jeynes Pershore Plum Festival is named ‘Martin’s Seedling’ but soon became all sharing the passion for the famous Pershore pleased to offer a unique experience better known as the hugely popular ‘Purple plum. The Pershore Plum Fayre aimed to raise for plum lovers of all ages with an Pershore’ to which it is still known. awareness and profile of Pershore and its exciting guided tour of the beautiful association with plums. Over the next 12 years, Georgian town of Pershore and its

@PlumFestival Pershore Plum Fest www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk [email protected] 12 13 Visit PERSHORE

Tourist Information Centres

Broadway T: 01386 852937 E: [email protected] Droitwich Spa T: 01905 774312 E: [email protected] Evesham Tel: 01386 446944 Email: [email protected] Pershore T: 01386 556591 E: [email protected]

Market Dates

Broadway • Italia in Piazza – Sunday 4 May Droitwich Spa • Farmers Markets, Victoria Square - first Saturday of every month • St Richard’s Festival Markets (Italian Market & Farmers and Craft Market) – Saturday 3 May • Salt Fest Markets (Farmers and Craft Market & Retail Market) – Saturday 13 September Evesham • Charter Market – every Saturday • Farmers Market – last Friday of every month Pershore • Pershore Carnival Market – Monday 26 May • Pershore Plum Festival Market – Monday 25 August • Christmas Market – Sunday 21 December

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