RESIDENTS are being urged to back their local asparagus growers as harvesting of the popular seasonal vegetable begins.
Wychavon are encouraging those in the district to support local farmers by purchasing asparagus from regional farms and growers this Spring.
During the campaign, Wychavon District Council chairman, councillor Robert Raphael, visited Revills Farm Shop in Defford to try his hand at harvesting some asparagus before the chairman’s consort demonstrated the traditional method of tying aparagus.
The Revill family have been farming at Birlingham for almost 100 years. Revill helped found Red Star Growers in 1988, a leading supplier of vegetables.
They grow 100 acres of asparagus, which is all hand-cut. It is then supplied to UK pubs, farm shops and supermarkets.
The farm shop was later founded in 2003 by Isabel Revill.
Today the shop is run by Isabel’s son-in-law Darren Hedges who left fine art photographic printing in London to become the asparagus promoter and food retailer.
The shop stocks seasonal vegetables grown by the family and other regional produce.
British Asparagus season started on St George’s Day (April 21) and runs until June 21.
Coun Raphael said: “It was fantastic to meet the team and have a go at harvesting – although I don’t think I will be offered a job any time soon.
“Our growers are an important part of our district, and our country’s economy, so please support them as often as you can.”
Darren Hedges, manager of Revills Farm Shop, said:
“I was impressed with the Chairman’s asparagus cutting skills and grateful it remained dry for a change.
“The weather has been challenging but hopefully it will settle and we will get better growing conditions.
“However, you can still find plenty of great British asparagus out there, including the finest spears grown here in the Vale.”
The visit was part of the Chairman’s 50th Anniversary Tour to mark 50 years of Wychavon.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/fifty for more information.
