British Asparagus Festival gets underway for another year in Worcestershire
The event is held annually and runs until June when the harvest season usually ends in Evesham
It's that time of year again, today marks the start of two months worth of celebrations dedicated to all things asparagus in Worcestershire.
The British Asparagus Festival is held annually and celebrates the traditional asparagus harvest and the Vale of Evesham's most famous produce.
Asparagus grown in the Vale of Evesham has in the past been awarded the European (EU) protected food name status which specifically links it to a particular geographical area and indicates a certain level of quality.
In 2021 it was also announced by the government at the time that it was also now a protected food name with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
This year, celebrations get underway in Bretforton at the Fleece Inn where Morris dancers, classic cars, Gus the Asparagus Man and St George himself are set to be there.
The group will then take the first hundred of asparagus harvested on a journey to the Japanese Embassy in London to celebrate Japan awarding the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status to Evesham Asparagus.
Chairman of the British Asparagus Festival committee Nigel Smith says it's exciting to get the eight weeks of celebrations started once again.
"The launch of the asparagus season is the sign of the summer that is to come," he said.
"It's really important to continue celebrating asparagus growing in the Vale, it basically represents the thing that the Vale's famous for and all the hard work of local growers and horticulturalists to make asparagus such an important part of local tradition."
On how he likes to eat his asparagus, Nigel added: "For me, I like it the way that it's celebrated best in the Vale, which is just slightly steamed or boiled.
"Just celebrating the beauty and flavour of the asparagus without overcomplicating it."
The start of British asparagus season is tied to St George's Day and ends on the 21st June when the cutting season for the vegetable in the Vale traditionally comes to an end.