The Malvern Autumn Garden & Country Show takes place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, W13 6NW on 29th 30th September 2007.
Ukcider member Tom Oliver of Oliver’s Cider and Perry sent in this press release:
Perry – A Curious Drink for a Slow World
For over 400 years, up until the early 20th Century, perry making was
one of the traditional crafts of the western Midlands and played an
important part in the rural economy. In the late 17th Century the
product was in significant demand and was held in high esteem
throughout the whole Country. Perry was kept for special guests and
family occasions and, when bottle-fermented, certain perries were
accepted as being comparable to a fine Champagne.
Today, in the early 21st Century, ‘true’ perry – made entirely from
genuine perry pears is now only produced in small quantities -
primarily in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. These
counties can therefore be regarded as THE home of perry. It was for
this reason that in 1991 The National Collection of Perry Pears was
established at the Malvern Showground. This unique and valuable
collection contains at least one example of all the accepted vintage
perry pear varieties associated with The Three Counties – some 90
different types – many of which are now very rare indeed.
Pear Cider or Perry?
Although the “Pear Cider” is currently being used as an alternative
name for “Perry”, many would argue that ‘true’ perry should only be
made from traditional varieties of perry pears – as it was during its
17th Century hey-day and up until about 30 years ago. Pear Cider can
be made from any variety of pears, including imported pear
concentrate. A range of other ingredients are also permitted. Some
pear ciders can be primarily produced from fermented apple juice, with
pear juice added as flavouring.
In 1993 EU legislation came into force, which provides a system -
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) – for the protection of food
names on a geographical or traditional recipe basis (similar to the
‘Appellation Controll=E9e’ system for wines). Products named as
Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire perries are PGI
registered and, as such, the pears used for fermentation can only be
locally grown traditional perry pears.
Furthermore, the international Slow Food movement has now formally
recognised and listed, in its “Ark of Taste”, Three Counties and Welsh
Marches Perry. Such products can only be made from 100% fresh juice
from locally grown perry pears, with no artificial flavourings,
colourings and sweeteners being permitted. On behalf of Slow Food – an
organisation that aims to protect excellent gastronomic products that
are in danger of disappearing – the recently formed Three Counties and
Welsh Marches Perry Presidium (working group) oversees production
standards to ensure product quality and authenticity.
To recognise and celebrate the special association between this
esteemed product – perry – and its traditional home in the Three
Counties, the Malvern Autumn Show host’s the International Perry
Festival, which is being held as part of Festival of Food & Wine in
the Avon Hall. A number of participatory events are planned, which
include:
- Tutored tastings of speciality and rare perries in the Cookery
Theatre …. and …. your chance to vote for the products you most like
for the “Peoples Choice – Perry” award; - Perry sales and tastings on a number of producer stands;
- An opportunity to meet and talk to local perry producers and
members of the Three Counties and Welsh Marches Perry Presidium; - A display of all fruiting perry pears in this challenged year
… plus …. an opportunity for anyone to bring in a sample of pears for
possible identification; - Expert-led orchard walk around the National Collection of Perry
Pears with Chris Fairs (Bulmers) and Charles Martell. - Cooking with perry and serving perry with meals – tastings and
recipe ideas.
There will also be a range of other perry related exhibits and
exhibitors on hand to illustrate the wonderful heritage and diversity
associated with these fine products. You will be able to find out
about future perry-related activities, events and even courses to help
you to help you learn more about perry and – indeed – become a perry
maker yourself.
On whichever of the days you are visiting the show, we would like to
welcome you to the Avon Hall. Be there.
Morning!
Thought you might like this article I’ve produced for our weblog at http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/weblog/index.html
The three shire counties of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester have a rich agricultural and horticultural history, celebrated by the ever-popular Malvern Autumn Show.
The two day event traditionally takes place on the last weekend in September and is organised by the Three Counties Agricultural Society. Founded way back in 1797 to promote agriculture, horticulture and food production in the counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, the Society runs three of the areas main events; the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Three Counties Show and the Malvern Autumn Show. The venue for all these popular events is the Society-owned Malvern Showground, a 68 acre perimeter site acquired in 1957.
And although the Malvern Autumn Show is the smallest of the Society’s three main events, it nevertheless attracts in excess of 60,000 visitors each year – almost equivalent to the hillside town’s entire population!
Visitors to the show this coming weekend (29th and 30th September) can be expect a real taste of the farming, fruit and vegetable growing which has made the Malvern area famous. Traditional events such as the largest leek, longest carrot and heaviest onion run cheek by jowl with livestock, vintage tractors and demonstrations of rural pastimes, whilst celebrities such as chef James Martin and BBC Gardener’s World favourite Sarah Raven will also be putting in an appearance. Edible gardens, along with an RHS Flower Show, will also on display and the show plays host to the International Perry Festival – another trade synonymous with this part of the world – and the National Collection of Perry Pears is permanently housed at the Malvern Showground.
Gates at the Malvern Showground open at 9am on both Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of September, and the show closes at 6pm on both days – full details and ticket information are available from the Three Counties Agricultural Society.