A unique horticultural experience around the Vale of Evesham
A unique horticultural experience around the Vale of Evesham
A unique horticultural experience around the Vale of Evesham
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The<br />
Pershore Plum Festival<br />
29th July - 29th August 2011<br />
In 1890, Walter Martin successfully crossed a ‘Rivers Early Prolific’ and a Black<br />
Diamond’ thus producing ano<strong>the</strong>r new local variety <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plum. Although originally<br />
known as ‘Martins Seedling’ after Martin’s nephew who first planted it, it was later to<br />
be called “The Pershore Purple” and it is still known as that to <strong>the</strong> present day.<br />
Egg plums soon became <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong><br />
almost every commercially sold jam-<br />
hundreds <strong>of</strong> tons were transported from<br />
Pershore as far away as <strong>the</strong> North <strong>of</strong><br />
England, South Wales and even Scotland.<br />
In 1927- a century after it was discovered,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Pershore Yellow Egg Plum was<br />
celebrated by having a locomotive named<br />
after it. Remaining in local service until<br />
1946 <strong>the</strong> “Pershore Plum” is believed to<br />
be <strong>the</strong> only engine named after a fruit.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> Pershore Flower Show in 1920 a<br />
poster advertising <strong>the</strong> event described it<br />
as <strong>the</strong> “Largest plum show on earth” and<br />
over 90 years later <strong>the</strong> town is striving to<br />
recreate this spectacle.<br />
Resurrected in 1996 <strong>the</strong> Pershore Plum<br />
Fayre aimed to raise awareness and <strong>the</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> Pershore and its association with<br />
plums. Over <strong>the</strong> next 12 years, <strong>the</strong> event<br />
grew in size and popularity and in 2008<br />
this one day event become a month long<br />
spectacle and is continuing to be <strong>the</strong> most<br />
successful event <strong>the</strong> town has ever seen.<br />
The 2011 Pershore Plum Festival will take place between <strong>the</strong> 29th July and 29th August<br />
and <strong>the</strong> whole town will turn “Plum Crazy”. Starting with <strong>the</strong> Gala evening on <strong>the</strong> 29th July<br />
when <strong>the</strong> new Plum Princess will be crowned, <strong>the</strong> Grand Launch in Plum Alley (Chapman<br />
Court) will take place on <strong>the</strong> 30th - <strong>the</strong>re will be many o<strong>the</strong>r “Plummy Events” and activities<br />
happening over <strong>the</strong> coming weeks. Plum tastings, sales and advice, a touring Heritage<br />
Exhibition, cookery demonstrations, concerts, art and craft exhibitions to name but a few.<br />
The grand finale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Festival will take place over <strong>the</strong> August Bank Holiday weekend and is<br />
an event not to miss with an award winning Farmers Market.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> tremendous success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> resurrection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ‘Land O’Plums Chase’ at Worcester<br />
Racecourse it has now returned to its rightful place on <strong>the</strong> National Hunt Calender. The<br />
Pershore Plum Festival Family Race day will take place on 5th August this year and will strive<br />
to match <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2010 meeting when 3,000 people flocked to see such races as<br />
If culinary delights are your forte- you won’t<br />
be disappointed, Pershore Plum sausages,<br />
cheeses, jams, chutnies, puddings, cakes,<br />
sauces, beer and even plum soap to name<br />
just a few. Visit Plum Alley every Saturday<br />
throughout August for a <strong>unique</strong> Plum<br />
Experience.<br />
‘The Tyddesley Wood Yellow Egg Plum Handicap<br />
Hurdle’ and ‘The Roy and Caroline Hirons Prolific<br />
Hurdle.’ It really is a purple spectacular - Dont<br />
miss it!<br />
The ever popular Plum Tours operated<br />
by Dudleys Coaches and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Evesham</strong><br />
<strong>Vale</strong> Tour Guides will take place on<br />
<strong>the</strong> 11th, 18th and 25th August.<br />
The culmination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> festival is Plum Fayre<br />
Day on <strong>the</strong> 29th August when Pershore will<br />
turn purple in celebration <strong>of</strong> its plums. A<br />
park and ride service will be available (look<br />
out for <strong>the</strong> AA signs) and <strong>the</strong> whole town<br />
will be involved with plum events. The Retail<br />
Market, shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants<br />
will be open serving plum products and an<br />
event serving plum ale and providing musical<br />
entertainment is ‘The Big Plum’ at The Angel Inn. On King Georges<br />
Field <strong>the</strong>re will be The Plum Fun Zone where a host <strong>of</strong> activities such as<br />
Jessica <strong>the</strong> road roller with living van (and friends!), a climbing wall, a 5<br />
gun clay shooting, indoor canoeing at <strong>the</strong> Leisure Centre, canoeing trips<br />
on <strong>the</strong> river, archery, fair rides and river boat cruises. Surely enough to<br />
keep <strong>the</strong> kids entertained and <strong>the</strong> whole family happy.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> largest ga<strong>the</strong>rings <strong>of</strong> classic and vintage cars <strong>the</strong> area has<br />
ever seen, including Rolls Royce will be on display in Abbey Park along<br />
with oil engines and tool displays. A wide variety <strong>of</strong> stalls including<br />
Charity and craft stalls and <strong>the</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> plums and plum products can all<br />
be found in St. Andrews Gardens, Church Walk and Plum Alley.<br />
Pershore Abbey is <strong>the</strong> place to be for <strong>the</strong> teddy bear parachute<br />
jump and zip wire races. The award winning farmers market<br />
situated in Broad Street bursts with plum delights to sample and<br />
take home. River Boat cruises with Avon Leisure Cruises will let<br />
you see a different side <strong>of</strong> Pershore as you rest your legs and<br />
take in <strong>the</strong> sights. With so many plummy ativities<br />
taking place, you will not be surprised that<br />
17,000 people visited last year! See you <strong>the</strong>re!<br />
For details <strong>of</strong> all events, please visit:<br />
www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk<br />
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