An old tradition for Evesham's asparagus growing industry took place on St George's Day.

April 23, St George's Day, was traditionally when the first ‘round of gras’ was cut amid much celebration, marking the start of the British Asparagus Festival.  

The British Asparagus Festival heralds the arrival of the green spear to the Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire.

The launch event marks the commencement of two months of celebrations dedicated to all things asparagus.

During the Spring growing season, hundreds of tons of the green crop were once sent from Broadway and Toddington stations to the markets.

This year, the first '100 round of gras,' which is actually 120 spears, was transported from Broadway to Cheltenham on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

Steam locomotive no 7903, 'Foremarke Hall', hauled the train which was bearing the ‘Asparagus Express’ headboard. 

The journey for the asparaguses began at the Fleece Inn in Bretforton.

It then continued on its way via a convoy of Morgan cars to Broadway to catch the 11.35am train.

From Cheltenham Racecourse, the crop was then taken to the National Star College for young people with disabilities, where the students made it into meals.

These meals were then served at the StarBistro.

Over the years, The British Asparagus Festival team has been to Buckingham Palace, Worcester Cathedral, the European Parliament in Brussels, Royal Hospital Chelsea and many more.

The British Asparagus Festival is an annual celebration spanning the traditional Asparagus harvest and celebrating the Vale of Evesham’s most famous produce.

Some of the best asparagus in the world is said to come from this area of the country – also known as the UK’s fruit and vegetable basket.

The path of the first-round of asparagus alternates each year; however, the endpoint is always a charitable organisation.

This year was the second time the route had incorporated the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

The first time the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway was part of the route was in 2018, shortly after its extension to Broadway station opened.