Bewdley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bewdley (
pronunciation) is a small town in 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 10,689.
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[edit] 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), 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 organization. The seat was previously a Conservative Party stronghold.
[edit] Town Geography
The bulk of Bewdley is situated on the western bank of the 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.
On the other side of the church, Welch Gate (so called because it once contained a toll-gate on the road towards Wales) climbs steeply up to the west, while a continuation of the B4194 leads north-west towards the Wyre Forest.
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 buildings are well seen from the bridge. Since the completion of the flood defences in 2006 (see below), a "Civic Space" has been introduced to replace the old bandstand; however, its repeated use as an unofficial (and unauthorised) car park has led to its temporary marking off with plastic barriers.
[edit] River and Bridges
The Severn often bursts its banks in winter, flooding many houses and commercial premises. 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. There are currently no plans for such extensive protection on the eastern bank, as this is not considered cost-effective, although a temporary inflatable barrier was made available in 2006.
The current road bridge over the Severn in Bewdley 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.[1] It is the only unmodernised Telford bridge still to carry motor traffic; there is, however, some speculation locally that this 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.
There is also a modern road bridge, to the south-east of the town at Blackstone, which carries the Bewdley bypass (opened in 1987 after many decades of campaigning) across the river.
A branch of the Severn Valley Railway, which ran through the Wyre Forest to Tenbury Wells, once crossed the river at Dowles, a little to the north of the town. The bridge itself no longer exists, although its imposing brick pillars remain.
[edit] Local attractions
[edit] Museums and Galleries
Bewdley Museum is situated around the former Shambles area in Load Street and concentrates on local crafts and trades, with several working displays. The public library, situated just off Load Street, contains a small gallery room often used for art exhibitions. Bewdley Craft Centre has been situated in a former school in Lax Lane for some years, but in 2006 the district council put the building up for sale, and the centre's future is uncertain.
[edit] Events
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 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: the 40th such carnival was held in 2006.
[edit] Other
The West Midland Safari Park lies just out of 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. 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, where many footpaths through the forest start from.
[edit] Famous residents
British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin 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.
Other well-known people to have lived in Bewdley include TV chef Rustie Lee.
[edit] Twin towns
Clarksville, Indiana, United States
Fort-Mahon-Plage, France
Vellmar, Germany
[edit] References
- ^ Bewdley Civic Society Town Trail. nd.
[edit] External links
- Bewdley
- The Bewdley Site
- Bewdley Festival
- Bewdley Beer Festival
- 107.2 The Wyre
- National Flood Forum
- The River Severn
| Towns on the River Severn, UK | edit | |
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Heading downstream: Llanidloes | Newtown | Welshpool | Shrewsbury | Bridgnorth |
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| Settlements on the River Severn between Ironbridge and Bewdley (heading downstream) | edit | |
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Ironbridge | Jackfield | Coalport | Bridgnorth | Quatford | Quatt | Hampton & Hampton Loade (chain ferry) | Highley | Alveley | Upper Arley | Bewdley |
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| Settlements on the River Severn between Bewdley and Gloucester (heading downstream) | edit | |
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Bewdley | Stourport | Areley Kings | Worcester | Kempsey | Upton-upon-Severn | Ryall | Tewkesbury | Deerhurst | Gloucester |
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