Nearly 1,000 Asparagus Spears Head to NHS in Veggie Thanks
National Asparagus Day hits on April 23rd, and this year, the British asparagus harvest comes with a heartfelt twist. To salute the NHS’s tireless work over the past year, the very first cut of asparagus will be delivered to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Chief Nurse Paula Gardner will be on hand to accept almost 1,000 spears from none other than Gus the Asparagus Man. The fresh prize will be shared among hospital staff to say thanks for their dedication.
Why Worcestershire? The Home of Top-Quality Asparagus
Worcestershire Royal was specially chosen for the gift spot. The British Asparagus Festival kicks off in the Vale of Evesham, the undisputed home of Britain’s finest asparagus. This local produce is famed for its thicker stalks and punchy flavour.
St George’s Day Meets Asparagus Season
It’s no accident that National Asparagus Day lands on St George’s Day. The two-month asparagus season officially starts on April 23rd, and the vegetable is the traditional feast for the occasion.
To mark the day, celebrations begin early at The Fleece Inn in Bretforton—the National Trust’s only pub in the heart of the Vale. The first cut asparagus will be blessed, and an ‘asparamancer’ will dish out forecasts for the year ahead.
After the ceremony, the prized spears will be whisked over to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for the big handover.
