South Herefordshire grower Wye Valley Produce is auctioning off the first British asparagus of the year in memory of Damian Fowler.

Run by the Chinn family, Wye Valley Produce would normally expect its first asparagus to be available in early March, but it has already begun harvesting, well in advance of the traditional ‘official start’ of the season on April 23^rd.

The Chinn family has developed innovative sustainable growing methods and experimented with varieties to extend the homegrown asparagus season. They also have an established tradition of auctioning off the first boxes of each season, with full proceeds being donated to charity. This year they are supporting the Oracle Cancer Trust, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to head and neck cancer, in memory of Damian, who died in January. He had been a loyal, long-term customer of Wye Valley Produce in his role as managing director of Gilgrove.

Damian’s funeral, on Wednesday February 7^th, was extremely well attended and a poignant and fitting send-off for one of New Covent Garden’s most popular figures. His wife Jess has set up a Just Giving page in Damian’s memory – which has already raised well in excess of £20,000 for the Oracle Cancer Trust.

If anyone would like to make a donation, please click here and for more information about the Oracle Cancer Trust, click here

Wye Valley Produce supplies English asparagus to French Garden.