Blossom Trail Events for 2012
2012 Blossom Trail Brochure
To downloadable version of the NEW 2011 Blossom Trail
Brochure will be available soon!!
The new Spring Time in the Vale tour dates have been announced
along with the British Asparagus Festival and Pershore Plum
Festival tour dates.
Spring Time in the Vale Coach Tours - Weds
11th, 18th & 25th April
Asparagus Coach Tours - Weds 9th, 16th &
23rd May
Plum Festival Coach Tours - Thurs 9th, 16th
& 23rd August
A Spring Time in the Vale Coach Tour brochure will be available
to download soon!!
The Blossom
Now in its 29th year, this ever popular natural
attraction offers even more. A designated coach route, guided
coach tours, blossom walks and even cycle routes.
Taking you through, the historic towns of Evesham and Pershore
and the delightful Cotswold village of Broadway – this signposted
route also includes some of the most delightful scenery and
countryside the area has to offer. And, weather permitting –
Vale Blossom at its best!
BLOSSOM NEWS
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UPDATE : 18th April 2011
The dessert and culinary varieties of apple are flowering well
now with the cider varieties showing pink bud already. The pear and
cherry blossom is coming to an end having lasted no more
than 2 weeks, just like the earlier plums but the large perry pear
trees to be found scattered along the blossom trail are still
flowering well. The real stars this year are the blackthorn which
have kept the hedgerows white since the first plum blossom and are
still flowering!'.
These shorter periods of flowering are down to
the this long period of warm weather aiding the pollination and
fertilisation of flowers, once fertilised the seeds can start to
grow and the flowers are no longer needed to attract
pollinating insects. The cold spell before Christmas encouraged
flower buds to break their winter dormancy together and hence they
have all flowered together. Flower buds in milder winters gradually
accumulate sufficient 'cold degrees' to break dormancy, and the
strength of the buds dictates when they will be ready to open
e.g. flower buds on younger wood will usually be stronger than
those on older wood hence the need to prune fruit trees every year
to encourage a succession of younger wood.
With such good pollinating conditions there is the
potential problem of heavy crops of fruit this year leading to
small sized fruit and much less blossom next year. To avoid these
problems we need to reduce fruitlet numbers by 'thinning' during
the 4 weeks after petal fall for maximum effect. Next year's flower
buds are developing alongside the maturing fruit and hormones
within the fruit's seeds can surpress their initiation and growth
particularly with high numbers of fruits.This timing also
takes advantage of the high level of cell division activity in the
fruitlets ensuring more cells per maturing fruit, and which
will be stronger mechanically so less bruising and a longer period
of storage.
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UPDATE: 15th April 2011
The blossom is now in full swing, with the plum blossom starting
to fade and apple blossom coming out there is a magnificant
aray of colours. There is an abundance of ornimental
blossom and apple blossom throughout the route so now is a
really good time to come and see it.
Countryfile were filming this week around the blossom trail and
orchards and that will be expected to air on Sunday May 1st so
watch out.
Picture right: Countryfile filming
Below: Blossom in Abbey Park: Pershore taken 15th April 2011
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UPDATE: 21st March 2011
Last weekend saw the Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) at
full flower plus a strong showing of blossom from the sloe (Prunus
spinosa). Most of the cherry plums are remnants of trees where the
graft proved to be incompatible and the main variety has
broken off to leave the rootstock to grow hence we now use St
Julien A as a rootstock nowadays. Some growers have been known
to plant cherry plums in hedgerows as a marker for their drain
outfalls to allow for their maintence at an often wet time of
year. The early orchard plum varieties such as Early
Prolific and the new Excaliber are at the white bud stage as are
cherries and should be flowering soon followed by the
Victoria plums also the Herons, Opals, Yellow and Purple Pershores,
Marjories Seedlings and pears (Pyrus communis), providing the
climate is favourable. Unfortunately frost is a threat
like previous years particularly as we currently have high
pressure which is projected to continue for most of next week.
Apples are only at bud burst and blossom is several weeks away
with the cider apples even later. Aswell as the threat of frost
growers will be trying to protect fruit trees from diseases such as
bacterial canker on plums and cherries, and scab on apples and
pears. It is a wonder to think that most of our fruit trees
originated on the Russian Chinese border!
The flower buds of the big flowered Magnolias e.g. Magnolia
grandiflora are still tightly closed but the star-like flowers
of Magnolia stellata can be seen in gardens along the route.
Incidentally the plum trees, all local varieties, planted
along the Wyre Piddle by-pass should be looking good this
year.
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The Story of the Blossoom........
| The Vale of Evesham and its surrounding area is some of the
most productive horticultural land in the country, and is well
known for its apples, pears and plums. For the few short weeks
between mid March and mid May, the road sides are ablaze with
colour - the soft pink tones of cherry and apple blossom contrast
with the white of the pear and plum. The Blossom Trail, now
extended to include the Cotswold Village of Broadway, allows
visitors to explore the natural beauty of the Vale at its best. So,
this spring follow those famous AA signs along the 45 mile route,
and journey through some of the most delightful villages this area
has to offer. There are so many ways in which to enjoy this
beautiful natural attraction. Not only can you travel by car, but
for those of you who prefer ‘the great outdoors’ |
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why not sample one of the Blossom Trail walks.
These are a series of 3 walks designed with springtime blossom in
mind, but they can be appreciated at anytime during the year. If
cycling is more your style how about joining the Blossom Trail
Bikeaway in aid of St.John Ambulance? This event is celebrating its
15th anniversary and will take place on the 10th April
from a brand new venue, Rapheals Restaurant (Hampton Ferry),
Boat Lane, Evesham. With a choice of 4 brand new routes
on offer, there is certainly something for everyone. Or why not put
your feet up and enjoy a fabulous day out on one of the Blossom
Coach Tours (as recently featured on BBC TV’s ‘Countryfile’).
Operated by Dudley’s Coaches Ltd on the 6th, 13th and 20th April,
this value for money tour- with your very own Blossom Tour Guide
allows you to experience the best of the Vale of Evesham. For
further details or to book your seat, please call 01386 792206. If
you are planning to take a group around the Trail, why not book a
Tour Guide to enhance tour visit? Specialising in the area and more
importantly its Blossom Trail, they will certainly make your
journey around the Vale of Evesham one to remember. Call Paul
Chitty on 01386 834313 for more information regarding the Evesham
Vale Tour Guides.
To celebrate its Silver Jubilee in 2008, the
Blossom Trail was extended, and now the famous yellow AA signs will
not only direct you through the delightful Vale of Evesham, it will
also give you the opportunity to explore the Cotswold village of
Broadway.
A 45 mile route of natural beauty at its best.
Explore and enjoy the open countryside and beautiful villages that
the area has to offer. The delights of the Vale of Evesham are sure
to whet your appetite: sample delicious home cooked food at one of
the many pubs, restaurants and cafes along the scenic route. If you
are still drawn to the outdoors, then why not pop in to one of the
many local farm shops, roadside stalls, pick-your-own centres or
Farmers’ Markets for a truly horticultural experience. You can also
enjoy a picnic on the banks of the River Avon or at one of the many
designated picnic sites in the area. Why not leave the car at home,
and walk one of the Blossom Trail Walks, or you could try cycling
along the sign posted route through the lanes and villages of this
beautiful area. If you do cycle or walk then you will experience
the sensual smell of the flourishing blossom, it is a smell that
cannot be matched at any other time of year. You don’t just have to
travel along roads to experience the splendour of spring blossom -
the Evesham Country Park is situated at the heart of the Blossom
Trail. With ample shopping opportunities, a superb garden
centre,The Apple Barn Restaurant, The ArkAnimal Sanctuary and why
not “letthe train take the strain” aboard the Evesham Vale Light
Railway thattravels through old apple orchards,Evesham Country Park
really does have something for all the family, whatever their
interests. If you are looking for a relaxing short break during
blossom time in friendly, comfortable, quality accommodation, the
area has a wealth of choice to suit all budgets. We are sure that
you will enjoy your journey along the Spring Blossom Trail, but
please remember to keep your dogs under control and follow the
country code as it is the season for lambing.
Blossom Walks
A pack of three walks – 3, 4.5 and 6 miles. Especially devised
with blossom in mind but can be enjoyed at any time during the
year. £2.95 + 40p post & packing. To order your pack please
send a cheque made payable to Wychavon District Council for £3.35
(£2.95 for the pack and 40p P&P)
For further information about the Blossom Trail, please
contact:
Angela Tidmarsh
Wychavon District Council
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT
(01386) 565373
Email: angela.tidmarsh@wychavon.gov.uk
