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Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 2°18′58″W / 52.37524°N 2.31624°W
| Bewdley | |
  Bewdley
Bewdley shown within Worcestershire |
|
| Population | 9,178 (2001) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| - London | 134.2 miles |
| District | Wyre Forest |
| Shire county | Worcestershire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bewdley |
| Postcode district | DY12 |
| Dialling code | 01299 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Wyre Forest |
| List of places: UK • England • Worcestershire | |
Bewdley (
pronunciation) is a town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire, England, along the Severn Valley a few miles to the west of Kidderminster. It lies on the River Severn, and at the time of the 2001 census had a population of 9,178. [1]
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Town geography
The main part of Bewdley town is situated on the western bank of the River Severn, including the main street — Load Street — whose name derives from lode, an old word for ferry. Load Street is notable for its width: this is because it once also served as the town's market place. Most of Bewdley's shops and amenities are situated along Load Street, at the top of which lies St Anne's Church, built between 1745 and 1748 by Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden.
Beyond the church, High Street leads off to the south towards Stourport along the B4194, a road known locally as "the switchback" because of its many undulations. Unlike in many English towns, High Street is so called not because of its importance, but because of its geographical position 'high' above the river. A sandy slope locally known as Bewdley Beach, located on the northern Severn side, is used by local residents as a leisure area. There are several pubs, cafes, and restaurants along the riverside.
On the other side of the church, Welch Gate (so called because it once contained a tollgate on the road towards Wales) climbs steeply up to the west, while a continuation of the B4194 leads northwest towards the Wyre Forest. To the northeast of the town is the wooded hilltop of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, the southern terminus of Shatterford Hill. .
History and government
The settlement of Wribbenhall, on the eastern side of the Severn, and now part of Bewdley, was recorded in the Domesday Book as being part of the manor of Kidderminster. By the 14th century, the town had come to be known as Beau lieu, French for "Beautiful place" - a compliment that fits well with John Leland's statement in his Itinerary two centuries later that "a man cannot wish to see a towne better".
Bewdley was granted borough status, as well as a weekly market, by King Edward IV in 1472, and retained this status until local government reorganisation in 1974. A parliamentary report of 1777 listed Bewdley as having a parish workhouse accommodating up to 80 inmates.
Bewdley is now governed by three tiers of local government; in increasing order of size: Bewdley town council, Wyre Forest district council and Worcestershire county council.
For many centuries Bewdley had its own Member of Parliament (MP), most famously the Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin who represented it from 1907-1937,[citation needed] but in 1950 the Bewdley constituency was abolished and the town was included in the Kidderminster constituency. In 1983, the Kidderminster constituency itself was absorbed into the Wyre Forest constituency, which currently encompasses all of Bewdley. The MP for Wyre Forest is Richard Taylor of Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern (often simply Health Concern), a local organisation. The seat was previously a Conservative Party stronghold, though the Labour Party briefly won it from 1997-2001.
The former quayside on the western bank of the river has been much prettified and landscaped over the last few decades, and its rows of Georgian townhouses and buildings are well seen from Telford's bridge. Since the completion of the flood defences in 2006 (see below), a "Civic Space" has been introduced to replace the old bandstand. It is used on a variety of occasions including the regular local Farmers' markets.
River and bridges
The River Severn often bursts its banks in winter, flooding many houses and commercial premises in Bewdley. Among the worst floods in living memory were those in 1947, 1968 and 2000. Bewdley's long experience of dealing with flooding led to the setting up of the National Flood Forum in the town in 2002.
After the 2000 floods, plans were made for flood defences on the western bank, and this work was completed in April 2006. Temporary barriers are also put up to protect properties on the Eastern side of the river in Wribbenhall.
Bewdley Bridge over the River Severn was built in 1798 by Thomas Telford. It was erected to replace the 1483 medieval bridge which was swept away in the floods of 1795. There is some speculation[citation needed] locally that its continued ability to carry heavy motor traffic may be thanks to secret strengthening work carried out during the Second World War to allow the bridge to bear the weight of tanks if necessary.
A modern road bridge carries the Bewdley bypass, opened to the south-east of the town at Blackstone in 1987 after many decades of campaigning, across the river.
The Tenbury and Bewdley Railway branched off Severn Valley Railway at Bewdley, and ran through the Wyre Forest to Tenbury Wells. It crossed the river at Dowles, a little to the north of Bewdley. The bridge itself no longer exists, although its imposing brick pillars remain.
Education
There are three state schools in Bewdley. Of these, two are primary schools: St Anne's CE Primary on the west side of town and Bewdley Primary in Wribbenhall on the eastern side of the Severn. The single secondary school is The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre.
Local attractions
Events
The 'Discover Bewdley' weekend takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend. The weekend features artists, events, market stalls, a parade and the launch of the Bewdley Heritage Trails. The Bewdley Festival, featuring a variety of artistic performances, is held in the town each October, and Bewdley also hosts one of the largest inland river regattas in the country. The successful Bewdley Beer Festival is held each August Bank Holiday weekend. Bewdley also has a carnival which takes place in June every year.
Other amenities
The West Midland Safari Park lies just out of the town, on the A456 towards Kidderminster.
Bewdley is also the headquarters of the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage railway running the 16 miles between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens (usually abbreviated to simply "Jubilee Gardens") are tucked away between the rear of Bewdley Museum and the River Severn.
Bewdley is surrounded by the Wyre Forest, and there are many footpaths and cycle routes through the unspoilt woodlands. There is a visitor centre situated just outside Bewdley on the road to Cleobury Mortimer, where many waymarked trails through the forest start from. The Bewdley museum (admission free), housed in the Guildhall (alongside the Tourist Information Centre) explores the history of the town and has displays on local crafts such as coopering, basket making, agriculture and tanning.
A regular general market on Saturdays took place until 2008, although specialised markets have continued. In June 2009, Wyre Forest District Council was approached by a former stall-holder with a view to reviving the market close to the bridge.[2]
Famous residents
- Stanley Baldwin, British Prime Minister was born at Lower Park House, Lower Park. He served as MP for the town from 1908 for nearly thirty years and later became Earl Baldwin of Bewdley.
- Karl Hyde, Musician - best known as a member of British techno/electronic music band Underworld was born in Bewdley on 10 May 1957.
- Rustie Lee, TV chef and actor has lived in the town and local area for a number of years.
- Kayleigh Pearson, model and FHM High Street Honey grew up in Bewdley, and attended Bewdley High School, which is now named The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre
- Brian Turner Tom Lawrence, awarded the Victoria Cross in the Boer War, was born in Bewdley.
- Alun Evans, professional footballer who in 1968 became the most expensive teenage transfer in history, moving from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Liverpool FC, was born in the town.
Twin towns
References
- ^ Census 2001
- ^ Nurinder, Johal (25 June 2009). "Market bid to lift Bewdley". Kidderminster Chronicle (Midland News Association Ltd).
External links
- Bewdley.org.uk
- Bewdley Festival
- Bewdley Beer Festival
- 107.2 The Wyre
- National Flood Forum
- Bewdley, Wyfopedia
- Bewdley photographs at www.geograph.co.uk
- Bewdley CofE
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