The sun is out. the birds are singing and the 'Gras' is growing!! Sunday is set to be a fantastic day, here's a little info on what's going on throughout the day to wet your appetite.

Massive apologies as I left out some vital information about the Asparagus event on the 27th May.

This year for the first time ever, Gus, our wonderful Asparagus mascot will be holding storytelling sessions with some exclusive, never heard before tales of his life and life in the Vale.

Jemima Packington, the World famous Asparamancer will be in attendance throughout the day overseeing the King of Asparaus competition and predicting the future for all our asparamad visitors. The question has been asked why she didn’t predict the rainfall and shortage of asparagus – I have been reliably informed that as there was no Worcestershire asparagus available, she had used Peruvian and this obviously weakened her wavelengths …………….  Its only Worcestershire asparagus that works with her predictions!

RAIN IS RUINING EARLY ASPARAGUS CROP

This weekend’s British Asparagus Festival has been cancelled due to a severe shortage of asparagus being available. The incessant rain and floods has had a double whammy on Worcestershire’s quirky festival that normally sees thousands descending on the Vale of Evesham over the festival period.

www.britishasparagusfestival.org organiser, Angela Tidmarsh, explains:

“We were expecting asparagus to be scarce due to the unseasonally good weather at the start of the year followed by the recent deluge. However, this week’s flooding means that the asparagus crop is almost completely dormant. What’s more, the venue for the festival has been under several inches of water when the River Avon burst its banks.

Gus and I are both exhausted from a hectic day at Malvern Show Ground's Countrytastic Kids Event spreading the word of the green speared vegetable. It was a brilliant day for both the kids and parents!

Keep an eye out for more information on the Festival season and events in the area coming soon!

Amongst our choice of 5 cask ales we serve:

Hook Norton Bitter
3.6% ABV

A subtly balanced, golden bitter, hoppy to the nose, malty on the palate - the classic session beer, eminently drinkable

We have just had a new delivery of our handmade leather tankards! Available in brown or black leather and sized at 1/2 Pint or Full Pints these hand crafted items make great gifts for the real ale or scrumpy cider drinker.

They come engraved with a picture of the Fleece Inn and will last forever.

<..Visit our merchandise page to purchase..>

This year on St Georges day (23rd April) the annual Asparagus Festival season will be launched from the Fleece in the early morning. Gus and friends will embark on a journey to Stratford and then onto London with the Hundred Round.

This year our Asparagus Festival Day celebrations will be held on Sunday 27th May from 12pm followed by the infamous Asparagus Auction, raising money for the Bretforton Silver Band - be there or be square!!

This year the festival will have more of a musical element. We plan to erect our largest marquee to house the real ales and ciders leaving the barn free for musical treats.

Morris dancing and mumming will also take place during the weekend!

I will keep you posted.

Sadie

These items will make a tremendous difference to patient safety and care, Gordon will be performing again at the Fleece next year. See you then!!

Gordon Giltrap at the Fleece Inn 2011

Things are really hotting up now, our new Spring Asparagus menu kicks in on April 23rd and plans for this years Asparagus Festival day are coming together well.

Only two weeks left of Pie and Pint night before we change to our summer special....all will be revealed.

Sade