The Chairman of Wychavon has urged residents to back the Vale’s growers as British asparagus season gets underway.
Cllr Robert Raphael visited Revills Farm Shop in Defford where he tried his hand at harvesting some asparagus from a nearby field. Afterwards the Chairman’s Consort Diana Raphael demonstrated the traditional method of tying asparagus.
The Revill family have been farming at Birlingham for almost 100 years and George Revill helped found Red Star Growers in 1988, which is now a leading supplier of vegetables.
They grow 100 acres of asparagus, which is all hand-cut. It is then supplied to pubs, farm shops and supermarkets, across the UK.
The farm shop started off in 2003 when Isabel Revill would sell asparagus, grown in a field next to an old stable the family used to use as a game room, from just a trestle table.
Today the shop is run by Isabel’s son-in-law Darren Hedges who swapped a career in fine art photographic printing in London for the role of asparagus promoter and food retailer. The shop stocks seasonal vegetables grown by the Revill family as well as other quality produce from local companies across the country.
British Asparagus season started on St George’s Day 23 April and runs until 21 June.
Cllr Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon District Council, said: “It was fantastic to meet the Revills team and have a go at harvesting some asparagus – 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 by buying British asparagus, preferably from local suppliers, as often as you can during the season.
“If you find a supermarket that isn’t selling British asparagus during British asparagus growing season then please ask them why.”
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 this year but hopefully it will settle soon 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.”
A video of the Chairman’s trip to Revills Farm Shop is available on Wychavon’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The visit was part of the Chairman’s 50th Anniversary Tour to mark 50 years of Wychavon. Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/fifty to find out more.
Pictured: Darren Hedges, Manager of Revills Farm Shop, Chairman’s Consort Diana Raphael and Cllr Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon District Council, celebrate the start of British asparagus season.
