Salford Priors

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A southern part of Salford Priors

Salford Priors is a rural, agricultural village and civil parish about six miles south west of Alcester, Warwickshire, UK. It is found on the Warwickshire border with Worcestershire.

The village is also only 8 miles away from the popular tourist town of Stratford Upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare and the River Avon runs near the it. Evesham lies 7 miles to the west and is an important agricultural centre and soft fruit growing area.

The population of the Salford Priors ward which includes the communities of Abbot's Salford, Dunnington, Iron Cross, Pitch Hill, Rushford and Mudwalls is 1,492 according to the United Kingdom Census 2001.

The village has a number of areas certified as conservation areas. The village is popular with tourists and photographers especially in the summer when the village is full with flowers which are paid for by Salford Priors Parish Council. The village has also recently won Warwickshire Village of the Year, for its services and beauty.

1 Parish Council
2 Local Buildings and Facilities
3 Local Business
4 References

[edit] Parish Council

Salford Priors Parish Council incorporates the communities of Abbot’s Salford, Cock Bevington, Bevington Waste, Wood Bevington,Dunnington, Iron Cross, Pitchill, Rushford and Salford Priors. The Parish Council's responiblity amongstworking with the District and County (Warwickshire County Council) Councils include the Playing Field and Play Area, Public Lighting, Amenity, Grass Mowing, Cemetery Maintenance, Parish Floral Displays, and The Best Kept Garden Competition.

[edit] Local Buildings and Facilities

The manor of Salford Priors belonged, first to Evesham Abbey, then to Kenilworth Priory (hence its name) until the Dissolution. Its history is traceable back to A.D. 708. It is now a restaurant. The village used to have a train station, opened in September 1866 and on the Redditch to Ashchurch Line. However the station close in September 1963 thanks to the nationwide station closures of 'Doctor' Richard Beeching.

The Norman Constructed St. Matthew's Church sits at the bottom of the village and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The Church has regular services and social meetings. The Church is also very closely linked with the local school.

The local school is Salford Priors Church of England Primary School which admits children from the ages of 5-11. The school was originally founded in 1656 by William Perkins as a Free School for all of the children of the parish.

[edit] Local Business

There are three pubs (The Queens Head Public House, The Bell Inn and The Vineyard) and a Post Office in the Parish. For Gliding enthusiasts there is an airfield 2 miles from Salford Priors where national and international gliding competitions are hosted.

There is also two large businesses located in the village that are both connected to the agricultural industry. The one makes agricultural machinery which is sold worldwide and the other is a large farm produce grower and packer that supplies many of the large supermarkets in the UK.