Cleobury Mortimer

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Cleobury Mortimer

Cleobury Mortimer
Cleobury Mortimer shown within Shropshire
Population	1,962
OS grid reference	SO675758
District	South Shropshire
Shire county	Shropshire
Region	West Midlands
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	KIDDERMINSTER
Postcode district	DY14 8
Dialling code	01299
Police	West Mercia
Fire	Shropshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
European Parliament	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Ludlow
List of places: UK • England • Shropshire

Coordinates: 52°22′43″N 2°28′56″W / 52.3785, -2.4821

Cleobury Mortimer is a small rural market town in Shropshire, England. The town's parish has a population of 1,962 according to the 2001 census.^[1] Although often regarded as a village, it is in fact the second smallest town in Shropshire (after Clun), having been granted a Town charter in 1253.^[2]

Several pronunciations of the town's name are in use. In Cleobury itself "Clib-bree" is commonly used, while in surrounding areas such variations as "Cleb-bree" and "Clee-bree" are not unusual.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Landmarks
4 References

[edit] History

The name is believed to derive from the contraction of the Old English clifu meaning a steep place and bury meaning fortified settlement. Mortimer comes from Roger de Mortimer of Normandy to whom the land was gifted after the Norman conquest. He founded the Mortimer dynasty of Marcher Lords who held power in the Welsh Marches throughout the Middle Ages and were closely involved with power struggles with successive English monarchs and other powerful Lords.

[edit] Geography

The River Rea runs to the east of the town. The Clee Hills, the tallest hills in Shropshire, are nearby and the Wyre Forest lies between the town and Bewdley.

The A4117 Kidderminster to Ludlow road runs through the centre of the town. Cleobury Mortimer was formerly served by the now-defunct Tenbury & Bewdley Railway.

[edit] Landmarks

The crooked spire on St Mary's church

There are a number of landmarks in the town, including the 12th century St. Mary's church in the town centre, which is known for its crooked spire, a result of its oaken beams warping over time, and also the town's wells, which, in the past, were used for house water. Adjacent to the church is the recently refurbished tourist information centre, at the Old Market Hall. There are 8 public houses in Cleobury Mortimer, as well as a secondary school and primary school.

The town featured in a series of reports by Declan Curry on BBC Breakfast in June 2006. As part of the series, Curry interviewed a number of local residents and business owners to learn more about the rural economy.^[3]