Bewdley
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Bewdley_Load_Street.jpg
Bewdley is a small town in Worcestershire, England. It lies on the River Severn, just west of Kidderminster, and has a population of 10,689 (2001 census).
The town is an old one, with the settlement of Wribbenhall on the eastern side of the Severn having been 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". The town became a borough in 1472, a status it retained until local government reorganisation in 1974. Bewdley is now part of the Wyre Forest district.
The current bridge over the Severn at Bewdley was built in 1798 by Thomas Telford. 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.
The Severn often bursts its banks in winter, flooding many houses and commercial premises; however work is now underway on flood defences on the western bank. There are currently no plans for such extensive protection on the eastern bank, as this is not considered cost-effective, although some form of temporary inflatable barrier is being considered. Bewdley's long experience of dealing with flooding led to the setting up of the National Flood Forum in the town in 2002.
Bewdley is the site of a well-known privately owned safari park, the West Midland Safari Park, and is also the headquarters of the Severn Valley Railway. 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.
British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin was born in Bewdley, served as MP for the town 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.
External links
- The Bewdley Site (http://www.bewdley.actinet.net/)
- Bewdley Festival (http://www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk/)
- Bewdley Beer Festival (http://www.bewdleybeerfestival.co.uk/)
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