Worcestershire's orchards are known for cranking out a ton of popular plums every year—think varieties like Victoria, Majorie Seedling, Heron, Monarch, Pershore Purple, Pershore Yellow Egg Plum, and Pershore Emblem. These are some of the most sought-after plums around here. Pershore has been linked to plums for ages; the place has been famous for fruit growing since medieval times.
Back in the early 1800s, the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum was discovered growing wild in Tiddesley Wood.
By 1870, over 900 tons of these plums were being sent to market during harvest time! At the Pershore Flower Show in 1920, a poster called it “The Largest Plum Show on Earth,” and now, decades later, the town is still trying to bring that excitement back.
To celebrate these awesome fruits, Pershore throws a Plum Festival every August, where the town gets all “plum crazy.” The highlight is the Plum Fayre and Farmers Market on the August Bank Holiday Monday. With the whole town going purple and fun activities for everyone, the Plum Fayre is the place to be for a fruity good time!
Back in the early 1800s, the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum was discovered growing wild in Tiddesley Wood.
By 1870, over 900 tons of these plums were being sent to market during harvest time! At the Pershore Flower Show in 1920, a poster called it “The Largest Plum Show on Earth,” and now, decades later, the town is still trying to bring that excitement back.
To celebrate these awesome fruits, Pershore throws a Plum Festival every August, where the town gets all “plum crazy.” The highlight is the Plum Fayre and Farmers Market on the August Bank Holiday Monday. With the whole town going purple and fun activities for everyone, the Plum Fayre is the place to be for a fruity good time!
The Plum Fayre kicked off again in 1996 thanks to local environmentalist David Shaw and historian Marion Freeman, who wanted to shine a light on Pershore and its plum roots.
John Edgeley from the local college jumped on board to help answer questions and made sure there were plenty of plums to check out. Ron Jaynes from Norton brought in some cool oil engines for folks to see in St Andrews Gardens and mesmerized everyone with his “Old Pershore” slideshow.
The event also featured charity stalls and caught the attention of some journalists from the TV show 'Heart of the Country.' There were barrel organs and street performers adding to the fun, plus the vicar, Martin Coombs, hosted a ‘Songs of Praise’ type service at the Abbey, complete with readings and a display about the history of plums in the area.
All these activities, along with some new ones over the years, have made this festival a fantastic celebration of Plum history in and around Pershore.
John Edgeley from the local college jumped on board to help answer questions and made sure there were plenty of plums to check out. Ron Jaynes from Norton brought in some cool oil engines for folks to see in St Andrews Gardens and mesmerized everyone with his “Old Pershore” slideshow.
The event also featured charity stalls and caught the attention of some journalists from the TV show 'Heart of the Country.' There were barrel organs and street performers adding to the fun, plus the vicar, Martin Coombs, hosted a ‘Songs of Praise’ type service at the Abbey, complete with readings and a display about the history of plums in the area.
All these activities, along with some new ones over the years, have made this festival a fantastic celebration of Plum history in and around Pershore.
Pershore is crazy about its plums, and every August, the town turns purple for the Plum Festival to celebrate its fruit-growing heritage.
The story of Pershore plums began in the 1830s when the landlord of the Butcher’s Arms pub found a wild plum seedling in Tiddesley Wood, known as the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum.
In the 1890s, Mr. Walter Martin experimented with plums, creating the popular Purple Pershore. Local historian Marion Freeman says the festival started as a way to celebrate the plum industry and has grown every year.
During World War I, Pershore’s plums were shipped across the country, even inspiring the name of a train: The Pershore Plum!
Today, at the festival, you can find plums in all sorts of goodies—chutneys, cheeses, sausages, and even beer! They’re known as a superfood packed with vitamins and nutrients. Plus, the classic drink Plum Jerkin is still made from local recipes.
With ideal growing conditions and generations of knowledge, Worcestershire continues to thrive with plum farming. The town has descendants of the original growers, and new varieties like the Emblem have emerged.
Thanks to local environmentalist David Shaw and historian Marion Freeman, the revived ‘Plum Fayre’ in 1996 has turned into a month-long festival filled with markets, horse racing, orchard visits, and lots of fun. Enjoy your time in Pershore!
The story of Pershore plums began in the 1830s when the landlord of the Butcher’s Arms pub found a wild plum seedling in Tiddesley Wood, known as the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum.
In the 1890s, Mr. Walter Martin experimented with plums, creating the popular Purple Pershore. Local historian Marion Freeman says the festival started as a way to celebrate the plum industry and has grown every year.
During World War I, Pershore’s plums were shipped across the country, even inspiring the name of a train: The Pershore Plum!
Today, at the festival, you can find plums in all sorts of goodies—chutneys, cheeses, sausages, and even beer! They’re known as a superfood packed with vitamins and nutrients. Plus, the classic drink Plum Jerkin is still made from local recipes.
With ideal growing conditions and generations of knowledge, Worcestershire continues to thrive with plum farming. The town has descendants of the original growers, and new varieties like the Emblem have emerged.
Thanks to local environmentalist David Shaw and historian Marion Freeman, the revived ‘Plum Fayre’ in 1996 has turned into a month-long festival filled with markets, horse racing, orchard visits, and lots of fun. Enjoy your time in Pershore!
