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The Vale of Evesham lies
between the Cotswold hills, Bredon Hill and the Malvern
Hills in south Worcestershire. The region is well known
for its fruit and vegetable market gardening, in
particular asparagus or 'gras' as it is know locally.
The asparagus season starts on St George's Day and ends
on Midsummer's Day because traditionally growers would
'never cut beyond the midsummer bud'.
The first Asparagus Festival took place in 2006 and the
2010 British Asparagus Festival will run from 23rd April
until 21st June when 'Asparamania' and 'Asparamadness'
will once again hit the Vale of Evesham.
Last year's Festival attracted record crowds to the
various events during the season. The launch took place
beneath Evesham's 16th century bell tower (one of the
few surviving parts of Evesham Abbey) on a sunny St
George's Day morning. Crowds gathered to watch a trio of
Morgan motor cars carry a 'Round of Gras' (100 asparagus
spears) from Evesham to Stratford-upon-Avon accompanied
by a group of runners from the Evesham Vale Running
Club. On arriving in Stratford the 'Round of Gras'
was presented to the Mayor of Stratford in honour of
Shakespeare's birthday celebrations. Other events during
the 2009 Festival included an Asparagus Auction at the
National Trust's Fleece Inn in Bretforton and asparagus
cookery demonstrations.
Broadway is an ideal base from which to tour the Vale of
Evesham, visit the British Asparagus Festival and
tour the Cotswolds. Our holiday cottages at
The Willows and
The Stables and our
self-contained apartment, Rafters,
are situated just a few minutes' walk from the centre of
village of Broadway in the picturesque north Cotswolds.
 
‘An Ode to Asparagus’ written by Trevor Harrison aka
Eddie Grundy from BBC Radio 4 '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!
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