THE cold March this year has held everything back, especially the asparagus, but Ron Tracey, of Pebworth, recalls that in March 1938 his father Bob cut a bundle of gras in March, 1938, causing great excitement among local growers.

Mr Tracey, aged 78, of Chapel Row, Pebworth, said in the 1930s his father grew two-and-a-half acres of gras in Fern Street, Pebworth.

"Eric Hobbies, who was formerly county horticultural officer for Worcestershire and who later moved to Long Ashton Research Station at Bristol, called on us that March and was so impressed with seeing buds that he cut a few to take back to the office because he thought his colleagues wouldn't believe him," said Mr Tracey.

"My father then cut the bundle which was sold by auctioneer WP Bullard, of Guild Street, Stratford. I can't remember what it made but we got a telegram from the auctioneer - we had no phone in those days - telling him the Journal wanted a photograph and he got a friend to take him by motorcycle to Stratford for the picture."

Mr Tracey said: "It was extremely early for gras grown outdoors and by the look of the picture, it was pretty good gras."

He recalled that the two-and-half acres of gras was inter-planted with fruit trees so that as the bed died out there was something there to follow on.

Mr Tracey is a real home lover. In his 78 years he has only ever spent two nights away from Pebworth.