Bewdley
367817
221640160
2008-06-25T12:23:07Z
Evilandi
517391
/* Town Geography */ Add year to riverside picture (2003)
{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|official_name= Bewdley
|latitude= 52.37524
|longitude= -2.31624
|population = 10,689
|shire_district= [[Wyre Forest (district)|Wyre Forest]]
|shire_county = [[Worcestershire]]
|region= West Midlands
|constituency_westminster= [[Wyre Forest (UK Parliament constituency)|Wyre Forest]]
|post_town= KIDDERMINSTER
|postcode_area= DY
|postcode_district= DY12
|dial_code= 01299
|os_grid_reference= SO785752
|london_distance= 134.2 m
}}
'''Bewdley''' ([[Image:loudspeaker.png]] [[Media:Bewdley pronunciation.ogg|pronunciation]]) is a small [[town]] in [[Worcestershire]], [[England]], along the [[Severn Valley (England)|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.
==History and Government==
[[Image:Bewdley Guildhall.jpg|thumb|left|135px|The Guildhall]]
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 <!--sic--> better".
Bewdley was granted [[borough]] status, as well as a weekly market, by [[Edward IV of England|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)|Wyre Forest]] [[district council]] and Worcestershire [[county council]].
For many centuries Bewdley had its own [[Member of Parliament]] (MP), but in 1950 the [[Bewdley (UK Parliament constituency)|Bewdley constituency]] was abolished and the town was included in the [[Kidderminster (UK Parliament constituency)|Kidderminster constituency]]. In 1983, the Kidderminster constituency itself was absorbed into the [[Wyre Forest (UK Parliament constituency)|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 (UK)|Conservative Party]] stronghold, though the Labour Party briefly won it from 1997-2001.
==Town Geography==
[[Image:Bewdley-bridge-town.jpg|thumb|left|Bewdley bridge and Severn Side Street, 2003]]
The bulk 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-on-Severn|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 [[tollgate]] on the road towards [[Wales]]) climbs steeply up to the west, while a continuation of the B4194 leads north-west towards the [[Wyre Forest]].
[[Image:Bewdley Load Street.jpg|thumb|right|Load Street]]
The former [[quay]]side on the western bank of the river has been much prettified and landscaped over the last few decades, and its rows of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] [[townhouse]]s 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 [[Farmer's market]]s.
To the northeast of the town is the wooded hilltop of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, the southern terminus of [[Shatterford Hill]], while to the northwest is the [[Wyre Forest]]. Both areas provide excellent walking. Bewdley is only a short drive away from the [[Shropshire Hills]], beyond the [[Wyre Forest]], the nearest summit being that of [[Titterstone Clee Hill]] at 533 m.
==River and Bridges==
[[Image:Bewdley Bridge from Severnside North.jpg|thumb|Bewdley Bridge]]
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 McNeil]]. It was erected to replace the 1483 [[medieval]] bridge which was swept away in the floods of 1795. There is some speculation 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 [[tank]]s if necessary.
There is also a modern road bridge, to the south-east of the town at Blackstone, which carries the Bewdley [[bypass (road)|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.
==Local attractions==
[[Image:SVR Bewdley station 03.jpg|thumb|left|Bewdley [[Severn Valley Railway|SVR]] station]]
===Events===
The 'Discover Bewdley' weekend takes place on the May [[Bank Holiday]] weekend, 4th - 5th May in 2008. 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 [[regatta]]s 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.
=== Other Attractions===
The [[West Midland Safari Park]] lies just out of the town, on the [[A456 road|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.
There is also Bewdley museum , housed in the Guildhall (alongside the Tourist Information Centre) which is free to enter but donations would be welcome, it explores the interesting history of the peaceful countryside town and has displays on local crafts such as [[coopering]], [[basket making]], agriculture and [[tanning]].
==Famous residents==
British [[Prime Minister]] [[Stanley Baldwin]] was born at Lower Park House, Lower Park. He served as [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for the [[Bewdley (UK Parliament constituency)|town]] from 1908 for nearly thirty years and later became ''Earl Baldwin of Bewdley''.
Musician [[Karl Hyde]] - best known as a member of British [[techno]]/[[electronic music]] band [[Underworld (band)|Underworld]], was born in Bewdley on 10th May 1957.
TV chef and actor [[Rustie Lee]] has lived in the town and local area for a number of years.
Model [[Kayleigh Pearson]] grew up in Bewdley, and attended Bewdley High School and Sixth Form College.
==Twin towns==
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]], [[Indiana]], [[United States]]
*{{flagicon|France}} [[Fort-Mahon-Plage]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Vellmar]], [[Germany]]
==External links==
* [http://www.bewdley.org.uk/ Bewdley]
* [http://www.bewdley.actinet.net/ The Bewdley Site]
* [http://www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk/ Bewdley Festival]
* [http://www.bewdleybeerfestival.co.uk/ Bewdley Beer Festival]
* [http://www.thewyre.com/ 107.2 The Wyre]
* [http://www.floodforum.org.uk/ National Flood Forum]
* [http://www.wyfopedia.org.uk/index.php/Bewdley_%28town%29 Bewdley, Wyfopedia]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2485153&page=1 Bewdley photographs at www.geograph.co.uk]
* [http://www.underworldlive.com/home.html]
* [http://www.bewdleyparish.org.uk/ Bewdley CofE]
{{River Severn towns}}
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{{Severn from Bewdley to Gloucester}}
[[Category:Towns in Worcestershire]]
[[Category:Towns on the River Severn]]
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