Worcestershire
WR13 6NW UK
Tel: 01684 584900
For more information please contact:
Sharon Gilbert
Press & PR Manager
Telephone:
01684 584929
Fax:
01684 584930
E-mail: sharon@threecounties.co.uk
Editor's Notes:
The Malvern Autumn Show is a fund raising event for the Three Counties Agricultural Society (Registered charity no: 511868).
Autumn Show Pear Exhibitors Hope To Set New Record
A dedicated group of farmers, nurserymen and fruit growers committed to raising the profile of the humble perry pear, is hoping to set a new record at next month’s Malvern Autumn Show (26 & 27 September 2009).
Event organizer, the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) is staging ‘The Festival of Perry’ as part of a new ‘Good Life Pavilion’, and is joining forces with local growers and producers to display the largest collection of perry pear varieties ever seen in one place.
Officially, there is no current record to beat, although the Long Ashton Fruit Trials of the 1950’s is probably the closest contender, so TCAS is hoping to register a brand new entry in the famous Guinness World Records book.
The Malvern Showground holds the Plant Heritage National Collection of Pyrus (pear), and there are around 90 different varieties of perry pears planted on site.
In the past, almost every farm and estate in the three counties region made its own perry, which was consumed in great quantities by gentry and farm labourers alike, but during the Industrial Revolution, perry production suffered a decline and corn and cattle became more profitable than fruit growing.
As a result, orchards died out and trees weren’t replanted, heavy stone mills and massive presses were abandoned in farmyards throughout the area, and ancient strains of the fruit were lost for ever.
It looked as though a significant element of local heritage was about to die out, which prompted the three counties group to scour the local countryside for remnants of the once great perry pear orchards of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, graft new stocks from ancient trees and effectively halt the demise of perry production in the area.
This year’s Festival of Perry is the brainchild of Three Counties Cider & Perry Association Chairman, Peter Mitchell – a highly qualified and internationally recognized expert in cider and perry making and tasting.
Visitors can enjoy tutored tastings of speciality and rare perries, take a look at the trees insitu and on display, marvel at the huge number of perry pear varieties and listen to talks by national and international experts throughout the day.
There’s even a chance to choose the best variety of perry on show, and The People’s Choice Award tastings and voting will be held on both days.
Other event attractions include an RHS Flower Show, a big Harvest Pavilion with giant vegetables, celebrity guests Joe Swift and Chris Beardshaw, a farmers’ market, floral art displays, world of animals, countryside pursuits and pastimes, vintage caravans and mowers and delicious food and drink stands.
The Malvern Autumn Show takes place at the Malvern Showground in Worcestershire on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2009. There’s plenty of free parking and discounts for children (under 5’s free), families and groups.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Sharon Gilbert – Press & PR Manager
Three Counties Agricultural Society
Telephone: 01684 584929 (direct dial)
E-mail: sharon@threecounties.co.uk
Show Web Site and Box Office: www.threecounties.co.uk/malvernautumn
Ticket Hotline: +44 (0) 1684 584 900/924
This press release is available by e-mail and via RSS feed.
Released: 24/08/2009