10 great reasons to visit the Evesham Festival this weekend

THE Evesham Festival - on this weekend - is bigger, better and more exciting than ever before with great fishing and lots more. Here is an Angler's Mail guide with the help of our mate at the organising DHP organisation, Tom Scholey...

It’s a great day out over bank holiday weekend. Yes, you pick your day, or go to all – 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th August. There’s something for all the family beside the lovely Warwickshire Avon! A big match takes place each day, fishing 11am to 4pm: Saturday is the Evesham Championship; Sunday sees the Wychavon Championship; and Monday is the Match Fishing Team Championship.
This is a skill fest! You will see a host of angling’s most skilled anglers go into battle on one of match fishing’s most legendary venues. If you want to see how river fishing should be done, then there is no better place to head!
These are proper experts. They are not the guys you’ll see locally winning 10-peggers on ‘easy puddles’. On the bill are five-times World Champ Alan Scotthorne, Will Raison, Des Shipp, Dave Harrell, Wayne Swinscoe and Steve Hemingray. Yes, you’ll see world-beating Drennan Team England aces!
The Avon is a mixed venue. This year, the sport has proved more varied and exciting than it ever has before – and it looks like the mighty River Avon might have more than its fair share of surprises in store for competitors this year.
It’s not just small fish. Up until the last fortnight, the river’s famous population of barbel had been conspicuous by it’s absence so far this season, but now the whiskery critters have really switched on to the feed. The top five in Wednesday’s veterans event all had a barbel!
Pole will be evident at Evesham, but you’ll see various methods deployed – even big pellets for barbel!
The festival show has great tackle. This, again, is promised to be bigger and better than before, Angler’s Mail are told. Confirmed exhibitors include Preston Innovations, Korum, Frenzee, Nash …and a host of retailers with piles of bargain tackle for you to bag.
You can sup super ales! Running alongside the festival is the Evesham Beer Festival, taking place in the on-site beer tent on the Crown Meadow, and run by local landlord, and real ale expert, Nigel Smith. The stand will boast more than 20 real ales, ranging in strength and flavour, to ensure that there is something for every palette.
Tasty food too! If food is your thing, you will also find plenty of good nosh to go at, courtesy of the festival’s new catering partners, Event Street Foods. Alongside premium-quality burgers and hot dogs, these guys have a couple of their own specialities – namely pulled pork and stone-baked pizzas!
It’s a cheap day out . Entry to the festival is free, with gates open from 9am on each of the three days. Evesham’s Crown and Corporation Meadows are the places to head to get involved. On-site car parking is £7 per vehicle.
The location is central. Evesham sits snugly in Worcestershire, in the great English Midlands, and can be reached from all directions… which explains why so many people return year after year. For satnav users, the venue can be found at the postcode: WR11 4SS. Alternatively, just head into Evesham and follow the signs for the festival!