The Pershore Plum Festival

27th July - 31st August 2011

In 1890, Walter Martin successfully crossed a ‘Rivers Early Prolific’ and a Black Diamond’ thus producing another new local variety of the plum. Although originally known as ‘Martins Seedling’ after martin’s nephew who first planted it, it was later to be called “The Pershore Purple” and it is still known as that to the present day.

Egg plums soon became the basis of almost every commercially sold jam- hundreds of tons were transported from Pershore to as far away as the North of England, South Wales and even Scotland.

In 1927- a century after it was discovered, the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum was celebrated by having a locomotive named after it. Remaining a local service until 1946 the “Pershore Plum” is beloved to be the only engine named after a fruit.

At the Pershore flower show in 1920 a poster advertising the event described it as the “largest plum show on earth” and 90 years later the town is striving to recreate this spectacle.

Resurrected in 1996 the Pershore plum fayre aimed to raise awareness and profile of Pershore and its association with plums. Over the next 12 years, the event grew in size and popularity and in 2008 this one day events become a month long spectacle and was one of the most successful events the town has ever seen.

The 2012 Pershore Plum Festival will take place between the 27^th July and 31st August and the  whole town will turn “Plum Crazy”. Starting with the Gala evening on the 27^th July and then the Grand Launch in Plum Alley (Chapman Court) on the 28^th July- there will be many other “Plummy Events” and activities taking place over the coming weeks. These will include markets every Saturday on the month with plum tastings, sales and advice, a touring Heritage Exhibition, art competitions, cookery demonstrations and tastings, concerts, art and craft exhibitions to name but a few. 
Why not visit the website and see for your self all of the up to date news and events. 

Pershore Plum Festival 27th July - 31st August

Pershore will go 'plum crazy' during August, culminating in the Pershore Plum Fayre Day on August Bank Holiday Monday. This month long festival filled with plum events will turn the town purple in its endeavors to celebrate this special fruit! Plum sales, products, tastings and advice in Plum Alley every Saturday throughout the month.

Fri 27th July - Plum Festival Gala Evening

Sat 28th July -  Pershore Plum Festival Launch

Tues 31st July - Pershore Plum Festival Family Race Night

Thurs 9th, 16th & 23rd August - Plum Coach Tours

Mon 27th August - Plum Fayre Day

After the tremendous success following the the ‘Land O’Plums Chase’ at Worcester Racecourse. After 5,000 people flocked to see such races as ‘The Tyddesley Wood Yellow Egg Plum Handicap Hurdle’ and ‘The Roy and Caroline Hirons Prolific Hurdle.’ it will be returning this year on July 31st, for a Family Race Night.  It has now returned to its place on the National Hunt Calendar.

If culinary delights are your forte- you won’t be disappointed, the famous Pershore Plum sausages, Plum ice cream, jams loose leaf tea, puddings, cakes, crumbles, sauces and even beer with some new creations in the pipeline.

The culmination of the festival is Plum Fayre Day on the 27^th August when Pershore will turn purple in celebration of its plums. A park and Ride Service will be available (look out for the AA signs) and the whole town will be involved with events throughout. The Retail Market, shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants will be open serving plum products and a Beer festival serving plum ale and providing musical entertainment such as boat rides ‘The Big Plum’ and ‘Plumstock’ will take place in the town.

One of the largest gatherings of classic and vintage cars the area has ever seen, including Rolls Royce will be on display in Abbey Park, Charity and Craft stalls, oil engines and tool displays and the sales of plums can all be found in St. Andrews Gardens.

Pershore Abbey is the place to be for the teddy bear parachute jump and zip wire races. A farmers market situated in Broad Street bursts with plum delights to sample and take home. River Boat cruises will let you see a different side of Pershore as you rest your legs and take in the sights. Jessica the steam engine was a very popular attraction last year and we hear that this year she will be bringing friends to entertain; the kids will not be left bored with so exciting activities for them to have a go at. Seeing this you will not be surprised why it attracted around 19, 000 visitors last year!