On Sunday, the 4th May, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) steam hauled the ‘Asparagus Express’ from Broadway Station.

The Vale of Evesham’s protected asparagus is in its peak growing season, and to celebrate, a special train was created.

Previously, local produce of asparagus was overtaken by imports from as far as Peru, and the railway previously played a huge part in transporting fruits and vegetables to markets.

The trip was organised by the British Asparagus Festival CIC and the GWSR, supported by Worcestershire’s Vale & Spa.

The trip featured Gus the Asparagus Man and Asparagus Evie, where they celebrated the long history of the UK’s premier asparagus growing area.

Nigel Smith, landlord of the National Trust-owned Fleece Inn at Bretforton and Chairman of the British Asparagus Festival CIC, was present and handed out bunches of asparagus.

“On St. George’s Day, the official start of the British Asparagus Festival, the first ‘round of gras’ is auctioned in aid of charity and taken on a promotional trip which last year, included a journey on the GWSR’s steam trains.

“The ‘Asparagus Express’ was so successful that we decided to make a special trip again this year,” he said. “It’s always popular and it is a great way to promote this very special crop and encourage people to make sure they buy British.”

Nigel Smith