TOWN GUIDE
ALCESTER
ALCESTER TOWN COUNCIL www.alcester-tc.gov.uk
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01789 264362 constituents@zahawi.com
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W E L C O M E
WELCOME TO ALCESTER
I
would like to welcome all new residents and tourists to Alcester, a truly great town in my constituency. Founded by the Romans, the town possesses great architecture from the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods and has close by the fine stately homes of Coughton Court and Ragley Hall. While Alcester rightly holds
Contents
its past dear, it looks towards the future as shown by the town being commended as a "Rising Star" in the 2015 Great British High Street Awards for reintroducing a regular market after a 140 year gap, adding to the town's already thriving small and unique businesses. Alcester is a truly great market town
and a real treasure for the whole of Warwickshire. I know that you will appreciate the town as much as I do. Nadhim Zahawi Member of Parliament, Stratford on Avon
A modern floor mosaic at the entrance to Alcester Market Place, reflecting the town's Roman heritage.
Welcome from the MP............................................................................5 A word from the Mayor...........................................................................6 Introducing Alcester................................................................................8 Town centre shopping / festivals.............................................................9 History: the Romans..............................................................................11 History: the Manor................................................................................12 History: needle-making, hospitality and the Civil War..........................13 Landmarks............................................................................................17 Local government and civic bodies........................................................19 Schools..................................................................................................22 Firefighters Memorial Garden...............................................................22 Street map.......................................................................................26-27 Street index...........................................................................................28 Alcester area map.................................................................................29 Illustrated town centre map.............................................................30-31 Court Leet and Town Hall......................................................................35 Natural environment & flood defences..................................................41 Health & safety.....................................................................................42 Places of worship..................................................................................43 Famous names of Alcester.....................................................................39 Alcester in Bloom..................................................................................45 Litter Free Alcester................................................................................45 Stately homes.......................................................................................47 Information......................................................................................48-50 Clubs & societies..............................................................................50-52
The Alcester Town Guide has been produced on behalf of Alcester Town Council by Heritage Guides Š2016. This publication is copyright and may not be used, reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form, in part or in whole without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all the information contained in this publication is correct at the time of going to print, neither Heritage Guides nor Alcester Town Council can accept any responsibility for unintentional errors or omissions. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the organisations which have advertised in this publication, but their inclusion in this guide cannot be taken as an endorsement of their products or services. Alcester Town Council, Globe House, Priory Rd, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5DZ T: 01789 766084 E: clerk@alcester-tc.gov.uk W: www.alcester-tc.gov.uk Heritage Guides, 7 Romilly Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan CF62 6AZ T: 01446 405298 E: info@heritage-guides.com W: www.heritage-guides.com
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Town council & Alcester Civic Society....................................................18
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W E L C O M E
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A WORD FROM THE MAYOR
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elcome to the Town Guide for Alcester. I am Professor Cllr Clive Neal-Sturgess, and I have the pleasure of being Mayor of Alcester in 2016. Alcester is an historic market Town nestling in the Vale of the Arrow in Warwickshire. It has been a site of habitation since Neolithic times and was a major centre in both Roman Invasions, which is all explained in our free local museum at Globe House; the details of these activities are dealt with elsewhere in this guide. Alcester is a fabulous place to live, work, learn and enjoy yourselves, but I am biased! We have a very active mediaeval Court Leet (again, details elsewhere) who organise many social activities in the town, many with a charitable side. We are a market town and have re-established a monthly market here during the summer months. We have a vibrant High Street, there are a varied selection of shops and businesses in Alcester, from a small supermarket to many The Globe sculpture presented by Severn Lamb Ltd to the town in 1996, erected on the site of the former Globe Hotel.
specialist traders; in fact you can get almost everything you need in Alcester. In addition to the small traders offering a wide variety of products, there are also a number of cafĂŠs and pubs where good quality food can be purchased, as you can see from the adverts in this guide. We are also establishing ourselves as a festival town with many events such as
the 10K run, which this year it is hoped will attract over 1000 runners. Alcester is a 'Health and Wellbeing Town', the first in Warwickshire, and we have a highly successful Dementia CafĂŠ. The town is renowned for its community spirit, and has many architectural attractions such as the mediaeval Malt Mill Lane. Alcester is positioned on the confluence of the rivers of the Arrow and Alne, and has a very desirable micro-climate. We are adjacent to two of the finest Country Houses anywhere, those of Ragley Hall the seat of the Marquess of Hertford, and Coughton Court the seat of the Throckmorton family of Gunpowder Plot fame. Both of these attractions also bring people to the town especially the Game Fair at Ragley Hall. So whether you live here, are visiting, shopping, or just passing through, there are many attractions in the Town and I recommend you read this guide to maximise your stay in Alcester.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
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ALCESTER IN CONTEXT
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lcester (pronounced locally "All-ster") is an attractive and thriving town on the western side of Warwickshire close to the border with Worcestershire. Part of the modern district of Stratford-on-Avon, it has close historic ties with the rest of the Arrow Valley including Redditch and Studley and has a close economic interdependency with the village of Bidford-on-Avon to the south. Once a Roman town, it has been subjected to numerous digs over the last couple of centuries leading to it being referred to as one of the best understood Roman settlements in Britain. The town stands at the confluence of the Arrow and the smaller river Alne and is at the south western corner of what was once the Forest of Arden (a Celtic name related to the French Ardennes) - this used to cover much of northern Warwickshire and was familiar to Shakespeare who used it as the backdrop for the play As you like it. The population of Alcester parish is just over 6,000 rising to around 8,000 if you include housing developments on the east side of the town which for historical reasons lie in the parish of Kinwarton. There are many attractive timber framed
buildings in the town, as well as brick-built 17th-19th century frontages. The town has managed its traffic problems well with by-passes to the south and the west, whilst right in the centre (but tucked out of sight) is a large free car park. This gives easy access to all the shopping areas which comprise Bulls Head Yard and High Street with extensions along Kinwarton Road to Hopkins Precinct and down to Bleachfield Street, Evesham Street and Swan Street in the south. Alcester has survived into the 21st century with a rural feel, despite its proximity to the West Midlands connurbations. It has a substantial and diversified employment base with a number of sophisticated manufacturing companies
based on the Arden Forest Industrial Estate and niche specialists operating from the Minerva Mill Innovation Centre. Rotary International has had its Great Britain and Ireland headquarters here since 1986. The town has a wide range of shops catering for both everyday needs and those of visitors. It was a feather in the cap for local councillors to attract a new Waitrose into the town in 2009, taking the place of a Somerfields. Like most rural towns, Alcester is being challenged by the current difficult economic climate but all the signs are that it will continue to find solutions to those challenges and remain the economic hub of the lower Arrow Valley.
Alcester has survived into the 21st century with a rural feel, despite its proximity to the West Midlands connurbations.
S H O P P I N G
Photograph : Cremetti Com
annual Assizes in May, a huge Food Festival offering wonderful artisan breads, cheeses, oils, pickles, street food, beer and wine and much more, on the 3rd Saturday in May and October, an opportunity to visit many historical gardens in the Garden Walkabout
Keep Alcester thriving by supporting our local businesses.
in early June, the annual Court Leet Street Market on the 2nd Sunday in June, a Duck Race in July, Folk Festivals, a Beer Festival, St Nicholas night celebrations on Dec 6th, and many more. Our Street party for the Royal Wedding was one of the biggest in the country and featured on CNN. Our Town Centre is festooned with flowers and bunting during the summer, thanks to Alcester in Bloom and Alcester Bunting and Lighting. All of our Festivals and events are run almost entirely by volunteers, with all profits going to local good causes. For more information go to www.whatsonalcester.co.uk or www.alcester-tc.gov.uk or phone the Town Council on 01789 766084
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lcester is a wonderful vibrant market town - a quintessential English gem, offering history, culture and great shopping. Our ancient streets have magnificent Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings containing a wealth of mainly independent shops and businesses, offering almost everything you need, lovely pubs, restaurants and cafes providing a wide range of food and drink and a warm welcome. Please support our local businesses and keep Alcester thriving into the future. Alcester is a very busy Festival Town, we love a celebration and have many regular events in the town throughout the year, attracting visitors from near and far, including the Court Leet Pancake race on Shrove Tuesday, the Heart of England Town Criers Competition on Easter Saturday,
mercial
: Cremetti Photograph
Commerci
al
SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
Cllr Alison Brown Business and Tourism Champion 9
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MAKE IT A DA TE:
Meat • Poultry • Artisan cheeses and breads • Veggie & vegan treats • Wines • Ciders & beers • Oils • Preserves • Prepared foods ...and much more For more information visit our website at www.alcesterfoodfestival.org.uk
H I S T O R Y
WHAT THE ROMANS DID FOR US
from the 17th century, but it was a local businessman and keen archeologist, Bernard Wright Davis, who started seriously unearthing items in and around the town in the 1920s. His enthusiasm marked the beginning of a craze. There have been some 100 expert archeological digs in the last 80 years, with over a million individual items in the care of Warwickshire Museum Service. Alcester is as a consequence said to be one of the best understood Roman small market towns in the country. The quantity of finds must be partly due to the fact that the town was continuously occupied over a long period and recent redevelopment of industrial sites have given archeologists numerous opportunities to dig. The finds include significant quantities of decorated
red Samian-ware from the continent, brooches, tiles, and other items. Inevitably, there were pressures to establish a museum in the town which could display at least a small number of these finds. The intention to set up a museum was in fact written into the Local History Society's constitution and has also been an ambition of the Civic Society for some 30 years. There were efforts to find a suitable building and a way of funding the venture. When the Magistrates Court was closed in 1996, space in Globe House became available, and a consortium of local councils, groups and individuals could finally turn the dream into reality. Roman Alcester Heritage Centre, based in Globe House, opened its doors in February 2004 and is a fitting tribute to the town's rich past and current interest in its heritage.
Roman Alcester was occupied from the beginning of the invasion to the decline of the empire.
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lcester's very first inhabitants may well have been pre-Roman for there have been finds of Neolithic and Iron Age artefacts here. It is with the Romans, however, that we have important evidence of a settlement. Roman Alcester was occupied almost from the beginning of the invasion to the eventual decline of the empire. The Romans first built a small fortress on Primrose Hill above Oversley Green, as they pushed north following their invasion of Britain in AD43. After securing the area, it seems they soon settled near the centre of present day Alcester, probably building a new fort whilst a town grew up around it. This location would have appealed because it was at the confluence of two rivers which provided security and rich alluvial lands for crops. The location was also on the important east-west Salt Road from Droitwich to the North Sea and the north-south Ryknield Street which connected the great Roman highways of Watling Street and the Fosse Way. It appears the Romans called the town Alauna and it was probably governed from Cirencester some 30 miles to the south. Roman finds are noted at Alcester
Roman Alcester Heritage Centre Globe House, Priory Rd. Open: Mon & WedSat 10am-4pm; Bank Holiday Mon 1.304pm. Admission free. School & group visits at other times. For more information visit: sites.google.com/site/romanalcester2/
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H I S T O R Y
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MANORS MAKETH THE TOWN
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fter the invasion of England in 1066, William the Conqueror claimed the Manor of Alcester as part of his estates. William's son, Henry I, gave the manor to Robert Corbet of Shropshire at the beginning of the 12th century. In 1140, the Norman lord of Oversley manor to the south, Ralph le Boteler, founded a Benedictine abbey half a mile north of Alcester centre, next to the river Arrow and near present day Ragley Mill Lane. Alcester church was one of a number of churches appointed to serve the abbey. In 1274, the town received a Royal charter to hold a weekly market on Tuesday (there is also mention of one on Thursday). Later in the century the town was awarded the right to hold an annual fair. By the 16th century, there was also a fair for the hiring of domestic labourers. The Mop Fair is still held today on the first Tuesday in October, although these days it takes the form of a funfair. By the 13th century, the manor of Alcester was in the hands of Walter de Beauchamp whose Manor House was near the site of present day Beauchamp Court, a house north of Arden Road.
From early times, much of Alcester's employment was based on the clothing industry. There are records of the existence of a linen industry from the 13th to the 15th centuries, which is the origin of the name Bleachfield Street, as well as knitting and glove making which survived into the 19th century. Henry VIII's reign in the first half of the 16th century is well known for the Dissolution of the Monasteries when the religious houses were literally torn down. The new Lord of the Manor at the time, Sir Fulke Greville, is recorded as taking stones from the abandoned Alcester abbey to enlarge his house at Beauchamp Court. But the manor house was to suffer the same fate. A century later, the third Sir Fulke Greville used some of the considerable wealth he had amassed during Elizabeth I's reign to purchase and restore Warwick Castle, which now became his home. Members of the family continued to live at Beauchamp Court until the late 17th century, but when the rights of Alcester manor were sold to the Marquess of Hertford in 1813, the house was in ruins, his seat being Ragley Hall. Alcester War Memorial Town Hall, Henley Street, and (below) Bishop Egwin from stained glass at Worcester Cathedral.
The Saxon Tau cross from Alcester rectory garden.
Progress from a river to a town
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ollowing the withdrawal of the Roman army from Britain at the beginning of the fifth century, it is not known to what extent towns continued to be inhabited by the British or left to decay by a predominantly agrarian population. Germanic peoples had already begun to move into England, probably initially to help defend the island, but in the latter half of the fifth century, as government crumbled, they seized the reins of power. Thus Alcester came eventually to lie in the central AngloSaxon kingdom of Mercia with its power base around Tamworth. Alcester may well have been a thriving town when the Anglo-Saxons assumed power. Certainly, they were ready to identify it as a Roman-British settlement when they baptised it: 'caester' from the Latin word for fort 'castra') by the River Alne (Latin name 'Alauna') - leading to the modern name 'Alcester'. The Anglo-Saxons left evidence of their life in Alcester through finds such as a fine bracelet unearthed in the 19th century and a Tau Cross, discovered in Alcester rectory garden, which is now in the British Museum. The Mercians were late converts to Christianity, but once converted, exceedingly zealous. By the 8th century members of the Mercian royal family were prominent members of the church. There is a story that in 709 Egwin, Bishop of Worcester and a member of Mercian royalty, called on the wealthy smiths of Alcester to help him pay for the founding of Evesham Abbey. The smiths drowned his words with the sound of their hammers so he punished them by summoning up an earthquake which swallowed the whole town. The land was then apparently given to Evesham Abbey. A possibly related tale tells of Saint Chad being driven from the town by its inhabitants, placing a curse over it and closing its monastery.
H I S T O R Y
HOSPITALITY CALLS
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lcester has always been an important staging post. Salt had been carried through the town from Droitwich since Roman times. The Elizabethan period (16th century) saw the rise of a merchant class and a requirement for more extensive travel. The period of coach travel stretched until as late as the 19th century and brought the hospitality trade to towns and villages along the coaching routes. Alcester was an important station because of its location on the main route from London to Shrewsbury and Holyhead via the good bridge at
Oversley. Coaches were running as late as 1850 before the coming of the EveshamRedditch Railway in 1866 changed travelling habits irrevocably. Alcester's role as a coaching town would have added to the requirement for plentiful supplies of beer. Most towns in former centuries had their small independent breweries, but Alcester was also a major barley malting centre supplying the malt needed for brewing. The Old Malt House on the corner of Malt Mill Lane, dating from 1540, is an obvious reminder of this industry.
Old Malt House
The Arrow Valley became the centre of needlemaking in England.
Needles point way
Butter Street
All quiet on the civil front
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here are no reports of a major battle near the town during the Civil Wars of the 17th century, but as the hostilities progressed, Alcester found itself sandwiched between the conflicting centres of parliamentary influence at Warwick on the one hand and Royalist sympathies in Worcester on the other. Indeed, Lord Brooke, owner of Alcester manor, was on Parliament's side whilst Sir
Robert Throckmorton, whose family owned Coughton Court, supported the King. The people of the town, many of whom were religious dissenters, would have been overwhelmingly parliamentary in sympathy. In 1688 a mob from Alcester even pulled down the east wing of Coughton Court as the Catholic James II fled the country following the arrival of the Protestant William of Orange. 13
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Minerva Mill Innovation Centre Station Rd, Alcester B49 5ET. For business accommodation contact 400446. www.minervamill.co.uk
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
F
rom the 17th century the Arrow Valley began to grow into the centre of needlemaking in England for no more obvious reason than that a London needlemaker, William Lea, settled in Studley and started plying his trade. Originally a cottage industry, needlemaking had spread by the 18th century to Alcester and in the 19th century factory production took over. The largest works in Alcester was the handsome Minerva Works on Birmingham Road which, thankfully, was preserved and has now found a new use as business accommodation (Minerva Mill). Needlemaking disappeared from Alcester in the early 20th century.
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L A N D M A R K S
BRIDGING THE CENTURIES
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e think nothing of throwing road bridges over natural obstacles these days, but in centuries gone by, a good bridge could make all the difference between success and failure for a market town. Alcester had at least one bridge in medieval times. This was the predecessor of Gunnings Bridge over the Arrow on the Henley road which is mentioned as early as Bridge over the Arrow at Oversley
Good neighbours 1274. The present structure dates from the 19th century. The first documentary evidence of the bridge over the Arrow at Oversley on the road to Stratford appears in the middle of the 16th century, when it was in need of repair. It was clearly already an important and heavily used crossing, and the repairs effected then have preserved it to this day.
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ever a populous village even by the standards of the Domesday Book, the hamlet of Kinwarton to the north of Alcester is now little more than a church and a handful of houses, although the civil parish of that name includes a large rural area and the northern part of the Alcester urban area. There was a manor house, of which there only remains part of the moat, but the accompanying dovecote dating from the 14th century is still standing. Inside there is an unusual revolving ladder for reaching the nesting boxes. It is owned by the National Trust.
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Butter Street
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C I V I C
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S C E N E
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WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY
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lcester Town Council has responsibility for the Parish of Alcester which has the most inhabitants of any parish or Town Council outside Stratford, in the Stratford District of Warwickshire. Following the 2015 Boundary Review there were slight changes to the boundary of the Alcester Parish; the wards within the Parish also changed with the Birmingham Road, Priory Road and Stratford Road forming the boundary between the three Wards: Alcester, Oversley and Oversley Green. The Council has 16 Councillors and every year elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who act as the Chairman and Deputy. The Council operates not only with monthly Council meetings, but also with three project based Committees - Strategic Planning, Community Care and Community Facilities. The Council
added a Communications Committee in 2015 to assist in managing communication between the Council, its committees and the residents. The Council also have an executive Presidium, which is made up from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the Chairmen from the other Council committees and two Council-led committees; Alcester Health and Wellbeing Board and Alcester Community Trust. The Council runs the following facilities for the town: • The recreation fields at Moorfields, Westbury Park and the Jubilee Centre and fields • Four allotment sites (Allimore Lane, Bleachfield North and South and School Road) • Two Cemetery sites • Four Play areas (Jubilee Fields, Moorfields,
Bleachfield Street and Collins Way) It has also provided, looks after or continues to look after: • Over 70 benches • Over 500 trees • Many of the town’s litter bins and dog litter bins. Through the Section 137 of the Local Government Act the Town Council annually award grants to local organisations which benefit the residents of the Parish. Alcester Town Council actively works on behalf of the Community of Alcester bringing issues to the attention of its partners as a recognised trusted partner, including Stratford on Avon District Council Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire NHS and others.
Malt Mill Lane
Defending our built heritage
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he Alcester Civic Society (ACS) was founded in 1962 by a group of residents who were in despair at the planned destruction of so much of the town's building heritage. Today visitors and residents alike admire Alcester's hidden gem, the Malt Mill Lane development - it even brought Princess Diana to our Town in 1992. Yet few know that without the determined effort of the ACS, in particular founder member Denis Norman, demolition would have gone
ahead. Likewise, the three foot bridges over the Alcester Bypass were instigated by the ACS, otherwise the town would have been completely cut off from surrounding villages The aim of the ACS is, according to its constitution, "to enhance the buildings, traditions and amenities of Alcester", working hand in hand with other likeminded individuals and organisaions. ACS has no official power, but over more than 50 years its input has won the respect
and due consideration of local authority planners. Alcester is a very special place to live. The society organises bi-monthly talks and topics of general interest with a civic bias. Meetings start at 7.30pm in Church House March, May, September and November. A trip is normally organised for the summer months Details of programme can be found www.whatsonalcester.co.uk. For more information, contact Diane Moss 764371.
C I V I C
S C E N E
YOUR COMMUNITY
Your representatives Alcester Town Council Chris Wright (Clerk) , Globe House, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5DZ. T 01789 766084. W www.alcester-tc.gov.uk E clerk@alcester-tc.gov.uk Councillors: Alison Brown 07763 492821, Chris Gough 762307, Clive Neal-Sturgess 764416, Eric Payne 762577, Jim Kenyon 763975, John Bunting 766753, Julie Styles 07807 894635, Lennox Cumberbatch 766940, Mark Cargill 07988 485050, Mike Gittus 488027, Yvette Morrison 400460, Chris Brannigan 07850 026155, Andrew Foster 766708, Gillian Forman 763828, Mary Nash 07780 478459, Keith Greenaway 766818. __________________________ Stratford District Council Elizabeth House, Church St, Stratford-uponAvon, Warwickshire CV37 6HX. T 01789 267575. W www.stratford.gov.uk Councillors: Alcester & Rural Ward - Susan Adams (Con) 400371 / 766499 / 07767 893886, Alcester Town - Eric Payne (Con) 762577, Kinwarton - Mike Gittus (Con) 488027. __________________________ Warwickshire County Coucil Head Office: Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4RA. Tel 0845 090 7000. County Councillor: (Alcester Division) Mike Gittus (Con) 488027 / 0783 6740485. __________________________ Member of Parliament Stratford Constituency - Nadhim Zahawi (Con). T 292723. W www.zahawi.com __________________________
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lcester Town Council took a major step in 2015 to become a Health and Wellbeing Council, alongside this it established a Health and Wellbeing Board made up of representatives from a number of agencies and organisations. In turn this led to the town becoming recognised as a Health and Wellbeing Town, the first in Warwickshire. Health and Wellbeing Boards are the vehicles by which the NHS, Local Government and Local Communities work together effectively to improve services
Local government
Responsibility for local government is divided between three authorities in Alcester: Alcester Town Council represents local concerns, is consulted by the County and the District on planning issues and cares for allotments, the cemetery and open spaces. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s responsibilities include building and planning regulations, housing, noise abatement, public health, street furniture and refuse collection. Warwickshire County Council’s responsibilities include education, social services, police, fire service, roads, footpaths, street lighting, trading standards, leisure and tourism, and refuse disposal.
Community Forum
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he Alcester and Bidford Community Forum is held four times a year and represents an opportunity to discuss local priorities for councils, policing and other organisations providing public services within the Alcester/Bidford area.
and population health and wellbeing. The Alcester H&W Board has set out to address the structural, material and relationship barriers to individuals and communities achieving their potential, and through partnerships bring about significant contributions towards tackling health inequalities in Alcester. The town faces many challenges, but the biggest of these is the prospect of the aging population and their care in the community. By 2035 the number of over 65’s will have increased by 23%, over 75’s by 66% and over 85’s by 184%. They offer a real opportunity to address health inequalities by identifying priorities for health and local authority commissioning and by focusing resources on improving health and wellbeing outcomes. has set out to focus on the assets, opportunities and strengths in the community to work towards achieving a better balance between service delivery and community building, with emphasis on building community capacity and community resilience. Alcester-Vallet Twinning Association Trevor Wraight (Chairman) E trevor.wraight49@talktalk.net ___________________________ Alcester Bidford Community Forum T 01789 290784. W www.alcester-tc.gov.uk
Twin town close tie has developed between
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Alcester and the town of Vallet in the Loire-Atlantique department in the west of France through the work of the Twinning Association over nearly 40 years. During this period many deep personal friendships have been formed. Even in this fast moving modern age, where it is possible to go abroad at a whim, twinning offers so much more. It gives the opportunity to develop a depth of friendship and understanding with people from another culture that simply doesn't happen when holidaying in hotels. If you wish to be a member of a friendly, energetic association that can make a positive difference to your life please join Alcester-Vallet Twinning Association. 19
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Sports facilities at Jubilee Fields
St Nicholas CE Primary School
Coughton Lane Coughton Warks B49 5HN 01789 762444
St Faith’s Road Alcester Warks B49 6AG 01789 762578
www.coughtonschool.org
www.alcesterstnicholas.co.uk
admin3021@welearn365.com
Promoting co-operation, friendship and consideration for others, Coughton C of E Primary is a village school set in a rural location one mile from Alcester. We can offer: • A fun, challenging learning environment • A curriculum that engages and motivates • Inspirational teachers • Quality outdoor learning opportunities including Forest School • High moral standards based on Christian values • Outstanding behaviour
FIND US ON:
admin3595@welearn365.com
We are a Church of England School in a modern, attractive building with a forward thinking and caring approach. We aim to: • Encourage children to learn both independently and cooperatively • Provide quality learning and teaching in a safe, stimulating, caring environment • Work as a team in partnership with parents, governors, the Church and the wider community • Promote co-operation, friendship and consideration for others
| Alcester Town Guide
Coughton CE Primary School
21
S C H O O L S
| Alcester Town Guide
SECONDARY TO NONE
Remembering our brave firefighters
B
ecause it serves a large rural area, Alcester is well endowed with secondary schools. There are no less than three of them in the town, in fact, and all of them high performing. Alcester Academy, for example, achieved its best GCSE results ever in 2015 and a recent Ofsted inspection rated the school “outstanding” in a number of areas and it narrowly avoided obtaining an overall outstanding rating. It is a specialist technology college. The other secondaries are St Benedict’s Catholic High School which managed to make the only non-selective school in the Times top ten schools in Warwickshire and Alcester Grammar School, which, like Alcester Academy, has academy status and, like St Benedict's, appeared in the Times top ten list. It is a selective school and takes in students from a far wider area than Alcester and its villages. At primary level, there are only two schools in the town itself, St Nicholas Church of England Primary and Our Lady’s RC Primary. Other primary schools feeding mainly Alcester Academy are to be found in the surrounding villages of King’s Coughton, Salford Priors, Haselor, Dunnington, Bidford, Temple Grafton and Great Alne.
Photograph: Izzy Morse, Alcester Academy
22
T
he Firefighters Memorial Garden in Seggs Lane is a lasting memorial to the four firefighters who tragically lost their lives fighting a warehouse fire in the village of Atherstone-on -Stour to the south of Stratford on the 2nd November 2007. The previously unused piece of ground adjoining the fire station has been turned into a beautiful and tranquil garden that can be enjoyed by anyone who wishes to visit.
It has been designed and planted with trees, shrubs and flowers which will give pleasure throughout all four seasons of the year. The garden is open all year round and people are welcome to visit and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere it creates whether it is for a few minutes or a few hours, the choice is yours.
Schools in Alcester and surrounding villages Pre-school For pre-school care, contact Warwickshire Family Information Service on 08450 908 044. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis __________________________ St Nicholas' CofE Primary School St Faith's Road, B49 6AG. Tel 762578. www.alcesterstnicholas.co.uk
Great Alne Primary School School Rd, Great Alne. Tel 488247. www.greatalneprimary.org __________________________ Salford Priors CofE Primary School School Road, Salford Priors WR11 8XD Tel 772497 www.salfordpriorsprimary.ik.org
__________________________ Coughton CofE Primary School Coughton Lane, Coughton B49 5HN. Tel 762444. www.coughtonschool.org
__________________________ Tudor Grange Primary Academy Haselor, B49 6LU. Tel 488211. www.haselor.tgacademy.org.uk
__________________________ Dunnington CofE Primary School Dunnington, B49 5NT. Tel 772200. www.dunnington-school.co.uk
__________________________ Temple Grafton CofE Primary School Church Bank, B49 6NU. Tel 772384. www.tgschool.co.uk
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School St Faith’s Rd, Tel 762555. www.ourladystmarysfederation.co.uk __________________________ Bidford-on-Avon CofE Primary School Bramley Way, Bidford-on-Avon, B50 4QG. Tel 773201. www.bidfordonavon.warwickshire.sch.uk __________________________ Alcester Academy (secondary) Gerard Rd, B49 6QQ. Tel 762285. www.alcesteracademy.org.uk __________________________ Alcester Grammar School Birmingham Rd, B49 5ED. Tel 762494. www.alcestergs.co.uk __________________________ St Benedict’s Catholic High School Kinwarton Rd, B49 6PX. Tel 762888. www.st-benedicts.org
T O W N S C A P E
A FINE TUDOR PEPPERING
A
lcester is peppered with fine timberframed buildings, some of which date back to the beginning of Tudor times. The oldest house in the town - and allegedly the oldest inhabited house in Warwickshire is the timber-framed Cruck House on Henley Street, built in 1385. The jewel in the crown is Malt Mill Lane including the Old Malt House, a fine 15th century structure. The whole east side of this street narrowly escaped a bid to demolish it in the 1960s. The Fine Arts Commission and the Historic Buildings Council
persuaded Alcester Rural District Council to compulsorily purchase the buildings and the whole street was designated a conservation area. In 1973 the east side of the street was restored and in 1975 the project received an exceptional merit award as part of European Architectural Heritage Year. The street is now largely given over to sheltered housing. It would be difficult to imagine Alcester without this priceless architectural survival. How times have changed.
A poor welcome
T
here had been a workhouse for the poor of the town since 1774, but the large workhouse complex on Kinwarton Road was built in 1837 in order to house their rising numbers. The faรงade of the building is unusually grand and, bearing the history of the place, deceptively inviting. It is faced in ashlar paid for by the Throckmortons of Coughton Court. It is now split into far more welcoming flats.
Alcester's alms
A word to kill for
Alcester United Almshouse Charity maintains six almshouses on Stratford Road for people in need who are residents of the town. For more information about availability, please contact the Clerk to the Trustees, Andrew Deeks on 01789 763723.
| Alcester Town Guide
T
here aren't many towns that can boast their own unique word for the alleyways which connect their streets - but Alcester is one. On signs you will see proudly emblazoned such names as Oak Tuery, Nelson Tuery and Priory Tuery. But where can this strange word tuery have come from? Tuerie was being used in French by the 14th century to mean an abattoir, so it is speculated that one of the alleyways in the centre of the town where meat was butchered or indeed where animals were slaughtered (for example Bull's Head Yard) might have been so designated in what was then the language of the ruling class. The word must then have caught on in the vernacular and used to refer to any alleyway.
23
D
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3
AL L IM OR
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ALCESTER RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
T O N CL
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HAS ELO R CL ER A R DR RID OA DEL D L
ROAD FISHER R D
T
S
AM BIRMINGH
N CT ARDE
WAY
BARL ICH W Y
RI V E R A R R O W DR LEY
| Alcester Town Guide
AL THE MILL IND UST RI
M A P S
26
S
RD
R
TIO
EW PO
A46(T)
N
27
WEETHLEY
| Alcester Town Guide
AM SH E EV
HADRIANS WALK
GLOBE HOUSE
NE
ET RE ST ES
S LA
MEMORIAL GARDEN
GG
R
D
A
M O OR FIE L
OVERSLEY MILL PARK
WILLOW CLOSE
R T ORCHARD DR D R IVE
BOTELER CLOSE
GLOBE CT ABBEY MEWS FLAX CLOSE
SWA N
H ST
L U SE ASHO G REC UNIONIST CLUB ST
MI
REC
S T R AT
LL
O
AD
ROAD
A46(T)
Allotments ............ ALCESTER Bus stop................ Car park ................... Cash dispenser......... Children’s play area Conservation area.... Cycle way (marked) Defibrillator..............
OVERSLEY GREEN
RO
MEADOWVIEW CLOSE
Post Office..................... Public conveniences Recycling point ............. School........................... Sports centre................. Superstore..................... Accommodation....
E
ORD
RO A D
TR ATF
F OR D
© Copyright Heritage Guides 2016. No reproduction of this map is permitted without the prior approval of the publisher. The existence of a route on this map cannot be taken as evidence of a right of way.
Key to map symbols Church........................... Community centre ........ Fire station.................... Library .......................... Medical centre .............. Petrol station ................
CORINTHIAN COURT
S
WITH
ARROW
RAGLEY HALL
A422
A435
SE
TOWN OLD HALL ME RECTORY ETIN TIBBETTS GARDENS G L CLOSE A BULLS T S HEAD BOWLS YARD CHU R C MALT MILL LANE COLEBROOK CLOSE CHESTNUT COURT A
GUIDES & SCOUTS
RIV E R A R R O W NE LA SE O R IM PR
ARROW
6
5
4
N CL
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R G IA
SHERWE L
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W PA R K V
CR
LA
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ALCESTER TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Footpath .................. Heart of England Way Letterbox.................. Monarch’s Way ..... Parish boundaries.. Public house.......... Public telephone ...... Other feature ...........
H CL BEEC
RC POPLA
E DRIV ELM
OVERSLEY WOO
M A P S
M A P S
28 | Alcester Town Guide
STREET INDEX Locations refer to street map on centre pages. Abbey Close..............................................2a Abbey Mews............................................ 4b Adams Way.............................................. 2b Alauna Avenue..........................................3c Alcester Heath...........................................2a Alcocks Road............................................ 3d Allimore Lane............................................3a Allwoods Close..........................................3a Alne Bank Road........................................ 3d Arden Court.............................................. 2b Arden Forest Ind Est..................................2c Arden Road.............................................. 2b Arden Rd Business Cen............................. 2b Arrow Crescent......................................... 2b Aspen Close.............................................. 2b Augustus Drive......................................... 4b Avon Crescent............................................2c Barlich Way.............................................. 3d Beacon Close.............................................3c Beauchamp Road......................................2c Beech Close.............................................. 5d Birch Abbey.............................................. 4b Birmingham Rd................................... 1a/3a Blackthorn Way........................................ 2b Bleachfield Street..................................... 5b Boehm Drive............................................ 2d Boteler Close............................................ 5b Bulls Head Yard........................................ 4b Butter Street............................................ 4b Captains Hill............................................. 3d Castle Road.............................................. 2b Chantry Crescent...................................... 5b Chapman Way...........................................3c Chestnut Court......................................... 4b Church Street........................................... 4b Cold Comfort Lane................................off 3a Colebrook Close.........................................4c Collins Way............................................... 3d Corinthian Court....................................... 4b Crooks Lane...............................................3c Cross Road................................................ 4b Devonish Close..........................................2c Eclipse Road..............................................3a Elm Drive.................................................. 5d Evesham Street........................................ 5d Fairwater Crescent.....................................3c Fenwick Close............................................3c Fields Park Drive........................................3c
Fisher Road.............................................. 2d Flax Close................................................. 4b Gashouse Lane......................................... 4b Georgian Close..........................................4a Gerard Road............................................. 3d Glebe Road................................................2c Globe Court.............................................. 4b Globe House............................................. 4b Greville Road.............................................2a Gunnings Road..........................................3c Hadrians Walk...........................................4a Haselor Close............................................ 3d Hawthorn Close........................................ 2b Hazelwood Close.......................................4a Henley Street........................................... 3b Heron Close.............................................. 2b Hertford Road...........................................2c High Street............................................... 4b Hopkins Precinct.......................................3c Horton Close.............................................2c Icknield Row.............................................3a Jephcott Close...........................................3a Jubilee Court.............................................3c Kingfisher Way......................................... 2b Kingley Avenue........................................ 2b Kings Coughton Lane................................1a Kinnerlsey Road....................................... 2d Kinwarton Close....................................... 2d Kinwarton Farm Rd...................................2c Kinwarton Road........................................3c Kinwarton Workshops...............................2c Larch Close............................................... 3b Lea Close...................................................3c Malin Court.............................................. 3b Malt Mill Lane...........................................4c Market Place............................................ 4b Meadow Road.......................................... 2b Meadow View Close..................................4c Meeting Lane........................................... 4b Mill Industrial Park, The.......................off 1a Mill Lane...................................................5c Minerva Mews..........................................3a Minerva Mill..............................................3a Moorfield Road........................................ 4b Newport Drive.......................................... 5b Old Rectory Gardens................................. 4b Old Stratford Road.....................................5c Orchard Drive........................................... 5b Oversley Mill Park..................................... 5b
Park View.............................................off 6a Plover Close.............................................. 2b Poplar Close............................................. 5d Precision Way............................................2c Primrose Lane...........................................5c Priory Road.............................................. 4b Purton Close..............................................2c Ragley Mill Lane....................................... 3b Regency Drive...........................................1a Riddell Close............................................ 3d Riverside.................................................. 3d Roebuck Park............................................3a Roman Way...............................................4a Rope Walk................................................ 4b Rufford Close.............................................2c School Road............................................. 3b Seggs Lane............................................... 4b Seymour Road...........................................2c Sherwell Drive...........................................4a Smiths Way...............................................2c Springfields Road..................................... 2b Station Road.............................................3a St Faiths Road.......................................... 3b St Marys Road.......................................... 3d St Nicholas Close.......................................3c Stratford Road...........................................4c Swan Street.............................................. 4b Ten Acres...................................................3c Throckmorton Rd..................................... 3d Tibbets Close.............................................4c Tything Road (East)...................................2c Tything Road (West).................................2c Vallet Avenue........................................... 3b Wain Close................................................2c Wakefield Way......................................... 2d Weatheroak Road..................................... 3d Wharrage Road.........................................3c Willoughby Close......................................1a Willow Close............................................ 5b Winchcombe Road................................... 3d
SPETCHLEY GARDENS
STOKE PRIOR
A44
WYRE PIDDLE
EVESHAM
ALMONRY
A46
OTTERHAM
BADSEY
AVON
29
WESTON-SUB-EDGE
HONEYBOURNE
U GLO
PEBWORTH
A46
A422
HAMPTON LUCY
BARFORD
SHERBOURNE
ETTINGTON
A29
WELLESBOURNE WATERMILL
WARWICK CASTLE
SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR
TREDINGTON
© Copyright Heritage Guides 2016. No reproduction of this map is permitted without FO RAT of the publisher. The existence of a route on this map cannot be the prior approval (ST taken as evidence of a right of way.
ALDERMINSTER A3400
ATHERSTONEON-STOUR
SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE
STRATFORDUPONAVON
A439
A46
M40
KENILWO
LEAMINGTON SPA
KENILWORTH CASTLE
WARWICK
WELLESBOURNE
NORTH LINDSEY
SNITTERFIELD
WOLVERTON
A4189
HATTON PARK
ALCESTER AREA MAP
AVON
MICKLETON
E SHIR (CO TER
LONG MARSTON
BEARLEY
LANGLEY
AL CAN CLAVERDON
ANNE HATHAWAY’S COTTAGE
A3400
WILMCOTE
WELFORDON-AVON
DORSINGTON
STR
HENLEYIN-ARDEN
MARY ARDEN’S FARM
BILLESLEY MANOR HOTEL
ASTON CANTLOW
ARDENS GRAFTON
TEMPLE GRAFTON
HASELOR
HOGAN’S CIDER
GREAT ALNE
DOMESTIC FOWL CENTRE
BIDFORD BRIDGE
BIDFORDON-AVON
BROOM
OVERSLEY GREEN EXHALL A46 WIXFORD
LITTLETON
N AVO
SALFORD PRIORS
RAGLEY HALL
ARROW
ALCESTER ATTRACTIONS
ALCESTER KINWARTON
COUGHTON
COUGHTON COURT
WOOTTON WAWEN
ULLENHALL
TANWORTHIN-ARDEN
RE SH I ICK ) RW A OLD W TSW
| Alcester Town Guide
CHARLTON
NORTON
A435
KINGS COUGHTON
HARVINGTON
) VON NA
WATER SPORTS CENTRE
A44
CHURCH LENCH
ABBOTS MORTON
A4189
MAPPLEBOROUGH GREEN STUDLEY
SAMBOURNE
(STRATFORD O
THROCKMORTON
BISHAMPTON
FLYFORD FLAVELL
THE BOURNE
ASTWOOD BANK
HEADLESS CROSS
INKBERROW
FECKENHAM
UPPER BENTLEY
A448
ICKSHIRE
A4104
NAL
WOOLMERE GREEN
CA HAM NG MI
MUSEUM
REDDITCH NEEDLE
UR
PERSHORE
PERSHORE GEORGIAN TOWN & ABBEY
A422
CROWLE
TIBBERTON
HANBURY HALL
HIMBLETON
DROITWICH
WYCHBOLD
M5
BIR
WO RCES TER &
A38
AVONCROFT MUSEUM
YCH AVON ) WORCE STERSHIRE (W
H)
(RED
WO RCES TERSHIRE
A441
WAR W
ARROW
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DITC W ARRO
STO
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30
| Alcester Town Guide
| Alcester Town Guide
Town centre illustrated map by local artist Bill Bayley (original in the care of Alcester Town Council)
M A P S
31
32 | Alcester Town Guide
Tel: 01789 400 115 QUALITY MEATS & POULTY
5-7 High Street, Alcester B49 5AE
01789 766768
We are open: Mon to Sat 6.30am-10pm & Sun 7am-9pm l FULL RANGE OF GROCERY l CHILLED & FROZEN FOODS
FANTASTIC SELECTION OF CHEESES
l LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCTS l CHILLED BEERS, WINES & SPIRITS l FRESH MEAT l FRESH FRUIT & VEG
AWARD WINNING SAUSAGES ADVICE ON COOKING METHODS Arden Forest Industrial Est., Alcester, B49 6EP Email: info@apmeats.co.uk Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm www.apmeats.co.uk
l IN-STORE BAKERY l PAYPOINT l NATIONAL LOTTERY l HEALTH LOTTERY l FRESH FLOWERS & PLANTS Convenience just got better www.simplyfresh.info
LOOKING FOR A NEW KITCHEN OR BATHROOM?
We design and install high quality bathrooms and kitchens Our work features in national magazines and we pride ourselves on delivering first class customer service.
Unit 7, Arden Business Centre, Arden Rd, Alcester B49 6HW Tel: 01789 763332 www.ktbgallery.co.uk
❚ Dulux paint mixing service ❚ Key cutting ❚ Gardening ❚ Calor Gas ❚ DIY ❚ Electricals ❚ Housewares ❚ Kitchenware ❚ Loyalty card scheme Swan Street, Alcester B49 5DP
Tel: 01789 762464
Morrisburden@morrismica.co.uk
Unique Pieces. All Jewellery, Watch & Clock Repairs professionally undertaken. Over 50 Years Experience. The Jewellers in the Alley 3 Market Place Alcester B49 5AE T 01789 763715 W www.bonnersjewellers.co.uk
Home & Kitchen Accessories Greeting Cards, Crafting and Giftware sh ing as it p p o h s l Loca
ould be
9 High Street, Alcester
01789 765494 email: hrjtrading@btconnect.com 65 High Street, Alcester Tel: 01789 762692
| Alcester Town Guide
Traditional & Friendly Family Jewellers Specialists in Antique, Vintage & Pre-owned Jewellery.
33
34 | Alcester Town Guide
34 HIGH STREET, ALCESTER B49 5AB TRADITIONAL REAL ALES CRAFT CIDERS • FRUIT WINES PROSECCO ON TAP BY THE GLASS Tel: 01789 508255 Mob: 07772 530 119
“How pubs used to be.” /The-Three-Tuns-102171536513529
12 High St, Alcester, B49 5AD
Furniture
Collectables
Art BOOKS China Monday-Saturday 9.30-4.30 Email: notrawnik@gmail.com
Mob: 07983 334 068
Classic Clutter of Alcester
C O U R T
HOLDING COURT
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
Court Leet Contact John Hill (Steward) 763446 or 764128 / 763828. www.alcestercourtleet.co.uk
Picture - back row: David Parkes (Town Crier), Martin Burden (Constable). Middle row - John Hill (Steward of the Manor), Vaughan Blake (High Bailiff 2015), Tim Forman (High Bailiff 2016), Steven Brown (High Bailiff 2014). Front: Lord Hertford
A
lcester's Court Leet may have begun as far back as 1272 (a Royal Charter from king Edward I in 1292 is our earliest written record). There was also a Court Baron, authorised by the King and presided over by the Baron or landowner which dealt mainly with matters relating to the duties and services owed by the peasants or villeins (not Freemen) to the
L E E T
Lord of the Manor or Baron. The Court Leet had extra powers to those of a Court Baron as it was a recording court granted to a Hundred (district), Lordship, Manor or Borough by the King's Charter. Court Leet judgements from all those centuries ago are often responsible for the base content of today’s local bye-laws. For over 700 years, the Court Leet dealt
with many matters within the manor, such as the punishment of civil disorder, preservation of the peace (the original gaol door and stocks are displayed in the ground floor of the Town Hall) as well as the administration of the manor, the running of the weekly market and checking for fair pricing and the quality of food, ale and other goods sold within the manor. Today’s officers are elected volunteers and can often be seen in ceremonial robes, maintaining the traditions and ancient customs throughout the town. Charitable events are organised each year in the town and bring a glimpse of Alcester’s colourful past as well as promoting the Town of Alcester, raising funds for distribution to local organisations and charities. Some more widely known events are the annual Street Market, Pancake Races, Assizes, Family Funday and other events, parades and Church Services. As a result of our fund raising throughout each year, High Bailiffs have managed to distribute many thousands of pounds each year to our local organisations and charities. Henry Jocelyn Seymour, 9th Marquess of Hertford DL, is the current Lord of the Manor whilst all officers including the High and Low Bailiffs are elected in October each year on the first Thursday following the annual Mop Fair.
A hall for the fallen
| Alcester Town Guide
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
A
lcester's War Memorial Town Hall was built between 1619 and 1641 during the reign of King Charles 1. Originally an open market hall it has had many various uses such as Jail, fire station, court etc. In 1919 the Hall was bought by the town to commemorate the fallen of the 1914-1918 war. Today it is a Grade I listed building which is managed by volunteers as a charity trust. The Hall continues to be a focus for town activities, musical performances, private functions etc. Alcester Town Hall W www.alcestertownhall.org.uk
35
Severn Veterinary Centre is a family business, owned by veterinary surgeons Jock and Caroline Queen. We aim to provide the very best for our patients and their owners. Whether it is your pet’s first vaccinations or a complex orthopaedic case, we have the staff and facilities to provide the very best. We are here to help both you and your pet in a friendly, professional atmosphere. As well as providing the highest standards of veterinary care with excellent facilities and staff, we wish to develop an exceptional relationship with you. We endeavour to achieve this by offering continuity of vet whenever possible, encouraging client feedback and communication and providing excellent and emphatic customer care.
• Experienced dedicated Small Animals Vets • Qualified Veterinary nurses • Full surgical facilities • Free puppy and kitten checks • Open 7 days a week • Pet Passports • Dentistry Find us at:
1, Cross Road, Alcester B49 5EX. T: 01789 764455 www.severnvets.co.uk WORCESTER NORTH EAST
HENLEY-IN-ARDEN 20a, High Street, Henley-in-Arden B95 5AN T: 01564 792444
Berkeley House, Berkeley Way, Warndon
STRATFORD-UPON AVON 14, Guild Street, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6RE T: 01789 292753
Villages, Worcester WR4 9UP T: 01905 756156 WORCESTER CENTRAL Tybridge House, Tybridge Street, St John’s, Worcester WR2 5BA T: 01905 421296
of life ur e h o t or join s f you lub n tC Pe Preventative
Free your vacci p na He et w tion alt he hy
Also at:
care for your pet with the convenience of monthly payments.
38 | Alcester Town Guide
CAR SERVICES LTD AL L M AKE S AND M ODE L S AT VE RY COM P E T I T I VE P RI CE S
SPECIAL OFFERS ON MOTs
• BRAKES • SERVICING • DIAGNOSTICS • REPAIRS • EXHAUSTS • BATTERIES • WELDING • AIR CON • TYRE SALES ALCESTER RUGBY FOOTBALL • HEAD GASKETS and MUCH MORE... CLUB
KINGS
Free courtesy cars available on request WILLOUGHBY COUGHTON CLOSE (subject to availability)
01789 400848 KING S
C O U GH
T ON
LA N
E
REGENCY DR
ARROW OPENING CAR SERVICES HOURS: ROAD ARDEN Mon-Fri 8.30-5.30 Sat ARDEN FOREST IND. ESTATE ALCESTER 9.00-1.00 ARDEN RD, ALCESTER B49 6HN A435
B4090
EST
B4089
ROA
E AN
LA OKS BEA CROCHAPMAN ST NICHOLAS CLOSE
L KS OO
M IL L L
CL LEA
CR
AD
L
O ALCESTER PAVILION
S MIT H S
JUBILEE COURT
SR
CL
KINGLEY AVENUE
IT H
VA
V TA LLE
FA
Y AGLE
CONWAY FIELDS
C CH
ST
K PK R O E B UC
D
LAR
W AY
GH A M
NATURE RESERVE
T HCOT
JE P
A435
OAD W
B IRM I N
Free re-test within 10 days
T Y T HING R
E N V I R O N M E N T
WHERE RIVERS AND PATHS MEET
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lcester's natural environment is very much centred on the facilities along the two river valleys meeting at the
town. The River Arrow Nature Reserve, accessible from is one of these. This twoacre site is managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of the District Council, and is home to kingfishers, ducks, and a variety of other wildlife. Plant specialities include the Small Teasel. In fact the whole length of the river
from Arden Road to the centre of town is accessible, including the Jubilee Fields recreation area, providing delightful walking opportunities at all times of the year. Alcester is also at the meeting point of two long distance paths. The Heart of England Way is a 100 mile long sign-posted walk from Cannock Chase to the Cotswolds, passing through the Forest of Arden (Arden Way), Alcester and Bidfordon-on-Avon. It enters and exits Alcester at Oversley Green and Kinwarton Road.
The Monarch’s Way is a 615 mile signposted walk from Worcester to Shoreham, passing through Alcester, tracing the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This enters and exits the town at Cold Comfort Lane and again Kinwarton Road where it follows the same route as the Heart of England Way. Friends of River Arrow Nature Reserve Holds 3 meetings a year with speakers. Produces newsletter. Conservation work 3rd Sat of month 10am-1pm: all welcome. T 765536 Stephen Godfrey W www.alcester-nature.org.uk W www.riverarrow.org.uk T 02476 302912 Karl Curtis (Reserve Manager) ___________________________ Heart of England Way W www.heartofengllandway.org ___________________________ Monarch's Way W www.monarchsway.50megs.com
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
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he confluence of the Arrow and Alne rivers at Alcester has, in the past, exposed the town to major flooding risk. Following severe flooding in 2007, huge works were undertaken to prevent this from happening again. Severn Trent have funded improvements in the region of £2m to provide a 3.25m Litre storage tank. This work has been completed and has coped exceptionally well with the deluges since their commissioning. Flood pumps were installed at two locations in the town to remove pluvial water, and assist with any future inundations from the rivers. These pumps were joint funded and cost £1.1m. They are fully operational and have already demonstrated their effectiveness during 2012 and 2016. Flood defences (Bunds) throughout the town have been improved and now provide
100-year plus climate change protection. Other measures that have been taken include: Waitrose has replaced a large section of the Old Town Drain as a public-spirited gesture; HSBC has replaced a further section of Old Town Drain for the benefit of the residents of Alcester; Warwickshire County Council has improved drainage throughout the town; the Environment Agency has relined large sections of main drain; many properties have been provided with Individual Property Protection; webcams have been installed in the town to oversee the river pinch points. Alcester Town Council carefully scrutinises all planning applications for new builds, and we engage with developers from an early stage. Cllr Mike Gittus JP, Chairman Stratford District Council
| Alcester Town Guide
Home and dry
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The Billesley Manor Hotel is a beautiful 16th Century manor house set in 11 acres of grounds, just three miles from historic Stratford-upon-Avon (off the main Alcester to Stratford road). n 4 star country house hotel
n 72 bedrooms
n Beauty rooms
n Conference facilities
n Free car park
n Free Wi-Fi
n 1 AA rosette restaurant
n Health club with swimming pool
n Dog-friendly hotel
n Outdoor tennis courts
n On-site 11th century church
n 100 year old listed Topiary Garden
n Library used by William Shakespeare The Billesley Manor Hotel, Alcester, Nr Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Sat nav: B49 6NF Tel: +44 (0) 1789 279 955 *Please note the Billesley Manor Hotel is a listed building and unfortunately the majority of rooms are accessible via steps only as there is no lift. For more information, please contact the hotel directly.
How to find us:
FAT CAT’ S
8 High Street, Alcester, B49 5AD
Cake - Sandwiches Coffee - Snacks - Hot chocolate - Paninis -
Freemans of Alcester Est 1922
FROM FARM TO FORK Local meats and produce
(in no particular order) EAT CAKE, BE HAPPY
1a Hopkins Precinct, Alcester BA49 6AA
Tel: 01789 762607
THEDOG&
PARTRIDGE BLEACHFIELD ST, ALCESTER B49 5BB
Intimate function room available for private hire, telephone: 01789 762421
| Alcester Town Guide
Beer garden - Sky TV - All sports Car park next door - Real ales Log fire - Full bar snack menu Breakfast served Saturday/Sunday 9am-4pm
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H E A L T H
S A F E T Y
| Alcester Town Guide
THE BEATING HEART OF ALCESTER
Photograph: courtesy Bullivant Media
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A N D
Preventing crime
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eighbourhood Watch is the best known and most effective example of the community working together to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of your life. The aim, is therefore to involve as many people in the community as possible by supplying current information about local crime incidents. The more people who are aware of what is going on, the better, and hopefully the more alert they become. Neighbourhood Watch is thriving with over 500 people receiving regular information by email about what is going on in the local community including police contact details, should the need arise. There are three public meetings a year when residents have the opportunity to meet with the police and to hear the latest news from Neighbourhood Watch. Alcester is a relatively crime free area. Neighbourhood Watch works hard to keep it that way.
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n 2013 local resident Ann Delany and Councillor Alison Brown raised over £10,000 to provide additional Automated External Defibrillators (AED) throughout the town to be used in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and were featured on Midlands Today. AEDs are located outside the Unionist Club on the High Street, Alcester Academy, St Benedict's High School, Alcester Grammar School, Alcester Football Club, Alcester Health Centre and Alcester Rugby Club. Internal defibrillators are also at St Nicholas School, Our Lady's School and the Jubilee Centre. Ann and Alison would like to thank the many businesses, schools, organisations and individuals who gave their time, money and support to enable us to achieve this. In an emergency dial 999, the ambulance control room will direct you to your nearest device and provide the code and talk you through how to use it.
Neighbourhood Watch Alcester T 01789 762999 Dorrie Manders E nhwalcester@gmail.com
Church groups Alcester Quiet Garden Located behind the Baptist Church, Church St. Garden opened for reflection and fellowship, alternate Tue 2.30-4pm (Apr-Sep). Occasional Invited speakers on biblical theme. T 01789 778669 Brenda Kirkman T 01789 763068 Jacqui Snowdon W www.alcesterbaptist.org.uk/ quietgarden.htm __________________________ Alcester Churches Together Forum for Alcester’s churches. Organises Easter Parade, children’s holiday club. Committee meets 3 times a year. T 01789 488360 Tim Steel T 01789 764261 Revd Adrian Guthrie __________________________ St Nicholas’ Church Bellringers Practice Thu 7.30pm, service ringing Sun 10.15am at St Nicholas’ Church. T 01789 762577 Eric Payne __________________________
C H U R C H E S
Alcester Baptist Church Church St, Alcester. Pastor: Martin Mills T 01789 766843. W www.alcesterbaptist.org.uk Services: Sun 10.30am. ___________________________ Alcester Methodist Church Priory Rd, Alcester. Minister: Deacon Gwynne Barnford T 01527 852547. W www.brmethodists.co.uk Services: Sun 10.30am. ___________________________ Our Lady & St Joseph (Roman Catholic) Priory Road, Alcester. Priest: Dom Andrew Berry T 01789 762573. W www.catholicalcester.org.uk Mass: Sun 8.30am, 10.30am. ___________________________ Kingdom Hall (Jehovah’s Witnesses) Station Rd, Alcester. T 01789 765313.
HIGH ABOVE THE HIGH STREET
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t Nicholas' Church is the focal point of the High Street, standing at the northern end. It is set at an angle to the street, which is presumably why the clock, built in 1682 (by the local blacksmith rather than a clockmaker), is mounted curiously on the corner of the tower - so that it can be viewed clearly along the whole length of the High Street. The church is built of local lias stone, the oldest part being the 14th century tower. The current nave was rebuilt in the 18th Century, and the chancel and chapel in the 19th Century. The church is open dawn to dusk for prayer and viewing, and guides for both activities can be found in the church. St Nicholas is part of Alcester Minster, a group of eight churches under one rector. Also located in Alcester is the Baptist Chapel in Henley Street, and the Methodist Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Priory Road. All have regular Sunday services and groups. All Alcester churches are linked through Alcester Churches Together, which has an annual programme of special events, services and study groups. The churches work together by running a food bank operating from the Methodist Church, and organizing the Chocolate Run for young people, and recently by support for the Alcester Refugee Fund. More details about the service times and activities can be found on individual church websites.
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St Nicholas (Anglican) Butter St, Alcester. Rector: Revd Adrian Guthrie T 764261; Administrator 07840 248294. W www.stnicholasalcester.org.uk Services: in St Nicholas Sun 8am & 1st & 3rd Sun 11am in St Nicholas, see website for further details of services in the five C0fE parishes / 8 churches in and around Alcester. ___________________________
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
Places of worship
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F A M O U S
N A M E S
The man who is an island
44 | Alcester Town Guide
F
Good boy gets castle
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he Greville family was one of England's richest, and came into possession of Alcester manor through the marriage of Fulke Greville to Elizabeth Willoughby (who was related to the Beauchamp family, the original lords of the manor) in the first half of the 16th century. The third Fulke Greville (15541628), his grandson, was a poet of some accomplishment and friend of Sir Philip Sydney, whose biography he wrote and for which he is best known. Greville was born at Beauchamp Court in Alcester, and the two attended Shrewsbury School together where the young Sydney wrote in his school book: "Fulk Grivil is a good boy". At the court of Elizabeth I, he also associated with Edmund Spenser, Sir Edward Dyer, Samuel Daniel and Sir Francis Bacon. He represented Warwickshire in Parliament for four terms and was Secretary to the Principality of Wales. He was knighted by Elizabeth in 1597 and was a Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was made first Baron Brooke by James I and endowed with Knowle Park and Warwick Castle. He restored the dilapidated castle and took up residence there, being eventually murdered by one of his servants who believed he would be cheated in his will.
chance arrival at Jackson's camp. With the annexation of Franz Josef Land by Russia in 1926, many of the islands changed their names, but Nansen's island remained as Ostrov Dzheksona (Jackson Island). He wrote an account of his expedition entitled 1,000 days in the Arctic. At the ripe old age of 65 he began exploring tropical Africa.
A good egg
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avid Greig (1865-1952) was the owner of a successful chain of grocery stores in the age before the modern supermarket. He reputedly first employed John Sainsbury, then lent him money to set up his own business. At his height, he had 250 stores across the south of England and gave much of his wealth to assist the underprivileged. During the war, he established an egg
packing business in Alcester and packed eggs produced in farms in the countryside around the town. It was known that Greig was seeking to establish a memorial to his late wife in 1947 when Thomas Collins, headteacher of St Faith’s School, approached him with the idea of a welfare centre for young people. This was the spur for the Greig Hall which was finally opened in 1958.
Jumping for joy
S From a Photogragh by Oosoom on Wikimedia Commons
18th century engraving based on a portrait of Fulk Greville (image: Folger Shakespeare Library)
rederick George Jackson (18601938) (pictured below right) was a prominent British explorer. He was born at Alcester Lodge Farm, the former hunting lodge of the manor house that once stood near modern-day Beauchamp Court. In 1893 he made a 3,000 mile sledgejourney across the frozen tundra of Siberia and Lapland. On his return he secured the backing to lead a three year expedition to produce comprehensive mapping of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic. Through his efforts the area was shown to be an archipelago and not a continent. He named one of the islands after his mother, Mary Elizabeth. Another was named after Jackson himself at the request of Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, who had been saved from almost certain death by his
how jumper Nick Skelton, who lives in Alcester, was part of the team that won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London. Born in Bedworth in 1957, he began riding at the tender age of 18 months when he was given his first pony. After a glittering career, he broke his neck in 2000 and all seemed finished. He retired from the sport, but managed to recover and began competing again in 2002. He was awarded an OBE in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to equestrian sport. The postbox outside Alcester Post Office was painted gold in his honour, as was one in Bedworth.
T O W N
E N H A N C E M E N T
BUSINESS IS BLOOMING Flower display at Globe roundabout
Photograph: Cremetti Commercial
businesses and residents get involved when the Britain in Bloom competition comes around each year. Alcester in Bloom encourages residents
Church Street
Alcester in Bloom Organises town centre flower displays. Planting begins 1st week in June and displays are taken down after the Mop fair in Oct. Flowerbed sponsorship opportunities available. Volunteers required. T 01789 762577 Maggie Payne W www.alcesterinbloom.org.uk ___________________________
Here's to a litter-free Alcester
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group of local people have formed the Litter Free Alcester (LFA) group under the auspices of Alcester Civic Society to encourage awareness of the costs and the negative impact of litter and help to keep the town clean. The group undertakes spring and autumn clean-ups of the town and volunteers assist at the two Food Festivals,
to tend and enhance the areas in which they live. Good examples are: Sherwell Drive, Birmingham Road, Church Street, Springfield Road and St Mary’s Road.
as well as doing their own patrols close to their homes. In 2016 the group led the Clean for the Queen campaign in Alcester. The estimated cost to tax payers for street cleaning in Alcester is well in excess of £25,000. Stratford on Avon District Council spends about £22,000 cleaning the streets of Alcester and the Hopkins Precinct play area and emptying litter and dog bins. Alcester Town Council keeps the other open
Litter Free Alcester To volunteer or to find out more: T 01789 762751 Susan Juned E susan.juned@gmail.com spaces and play areas in the town clean. Disposing of the waste to landfill sites adds an extra £80.00 for every tonne collected. The group has received welcome support from Alcester Town Council, the Rotary Club and the Alcester Food Festival committee who have given grants to cover equipment and insurance costs. 45
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I
n 1980, members of the Town Council decided the townscape needed brightening up for springtime. They spent £30 on planting daffodil bulbs. The Chamber of Trade then joined the campaign and brought in sponsorship from local businesses and banks, enabling the purchase of hanging basket poles to bring the High Street alive with flowers. The town was now deemed fit to enter the Britain in Bloom competition, and whilst it did not win the first time it competed, it gained a certificate of merit in 1982. This success led to the formation of the organision Alcester in Bloom, which attracted the support and interest from local residents. Alcester in Bloom has a committe of 20, three of whom are Town Councillors, and the Mayor is also invited to all meetings to discuss improvements and fund raising. There is a working committee which can be seen around the town keeping it litter and weed-free. Numerous organisations,
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| Alcester Town Guide
S T A T E L Y
H O M E S
TWO HOUSES, BOTH ALIKE IN DIGNITY
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ust outside the village of Arrow is Ragley Hall, which has been the family home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford since it was designed by Robert Hooke in 1680. It is one of the earliest and loveliest of England's great Palladian Houses. The
Catholicism, for the Throckmorton family hung stubbornly onto the old faith after the Reformation. Visitors to the house experience their story through the eyes of various family members. Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, who had been Ambassador to France, was imprisoned by Elizabeth I because of his friendship with Mary, Queen of Scots. His nephew, Francis Throckmorton, was executed - he had hatched the 'Throckmorton Plot' to murder Elizabeth and replace her with Mary. Two of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 were the sons of Throckmorton women. The grounds of the house include two churches - St Peter's was built in 1450 and is now Anglican in denomination; when perfect symmetry of the architecture remains unchanged save for the spectacular portico by Wyatt added in 1780. The majestic Great Hall, soaring up two storeys, is adorned with some of England's finest and most exquisite Baroque plasterwork by James Gibbs, dated 1750. The house contains a superb collection of
religious tolerance finally permitted it in the 19th century, the Throckmortons built a Catholic church alongside. Coughton Court Coughton, Alcester. For opening times visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ coughtoncourt or call 01789 400777 opt 2. __________________________ Ragley Hall Arrow, Alcester. Park & gardens open 10am-5pm, house & state rooms 12-4pm. For more informaiton contact 01789 762090. www.ragleyhall.com 18th century and earlier paintings, china, furniture and wonderful ceilings decorated with Grisaille panels and insets by Angelica Kauffman. Ragley is a working estate with more than 6,000 acres of land. The house is set in 400 acres of picturesque parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. There are also working stables designed by James Gibbs in 1751.
| Alcester Town Guide
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oughton Court, one of England’s finest Tudor houses, is located in the village of Coughton (pronounced ‘Coat-un’) just two miles north of Alcester. It is now in the care of the National Trust but the Throckmorton family continues to live in it as their home, as they have done for 600 years, and manage the gardens. The central gatehouse, with its turrets, dates from 1518 whilst the two half-timbered wings to the rear are midElizabethan. These were once joined by a further range, enclosing the courtyard. The façade on each side of the central gatehouse was remodelled in 1780 in “Gothick” manner. Coughton is closely associated with
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I N F O R M A T I O N
48 | Alcester Town Guide
USEFUL LOCAL INFORMATION Public services
Police T 101 / 01926 415000 W www.warwickshire.police.uk ___________________________ Alcester South Safer Neighbourhood Team T 01789 444816 M 0797 9704373 E alcestersouthsnt@warwickshire.pnn. police.uk ___________________________ Registrar Winton House, Church St, Stratford-uponAvon, CV37 6HB. Open: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. T 0300 555 0255 W www.warwickshire.gov.uk/registrations ___________________________ Courts Warwickshire Justice Centre, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV32 4EL. Counter open 10am-4pm. T 01926 682100 (8.30am-5pm) ___________________________ Recycling & Refuse Fortnightly collection by District Council of recyclable materials in blue lidded wheelie bin, garden waste in green lidded wheelie bin. Grey bin for other household waste collected on alternate weeks to recyclable materials and garden waste. T 260616 W www.stratford.gov.uk/community/ refuse-and-recycling-collection-service.cfm Household waste recycling centre: Burton Farm, A46, Bishopton. Open Oct-Mar, Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.15pm, SatSun 8.30am-4.15pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.15pm (Wed 6.15pm), Sat-Sun 8.30am-5.45pm. T 01926 412593. W www.warwickshire.gov.uk ___________________________
Allotments Allotments on Allimore Lane, Bleachfield Street & School Road Managed by Town Council. T 01789 766084 ___________________________
Health
Advice lines T NHS 111 - free-to-call non-emergency medical helpline number. T Smokefree 0800 022 4332. T Quitline (smoking) 0800 002 200 W www.quit.org.uk ___________________________ GPs Alcester Health Centre, Fields Park Drive T 763060 W www.alcesterhealthcentre.co.uk The Arrow Surgery, Fields Park Drive T 763293 W www.thearrowsurgery.nhs.uk ___________________________ Hospitals Alexandra Hospital, Woodrow Dr, Redditch, B98 7UB (A&E) T 01527 503030. Stratford Hospital, Arden St, Stratford, CV37 6NX (minor injuries/clinics) T 205831. Warwick Hospital, Lakin Rd, Warwick, CV34 5BW (A&E and maternity) T 01926 495321 ___________________________ Dentists The Old Tile House, Market Place T 762567 MSC, 19 Priory Rd T 400111 W midlanssmilecentres.co.uk ___________________________
Helplines
Dog Warden Mon-Fri 8.45am-5.30pm / Fri 8.45-5pm T 01789 260839 ___________________________ Family Information Service (childcare) Mon-Thu 9am-5.30pm / 5pm on Fri). T 845 090 8044 (local rate) / 01926 742274 Textphone 01926 736327 W www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fis ___________________________
Emergencies Fire, police, ambulance T 999 / 112 T Hearing or speech impaired 18000 ___________________________ Childline For young people needing to talk T 0800 1111 W www.childline.org.uk ___________________________ NSPCC Child Protection Helpline For adults concerned about the safety of children T 0808 800 5000 W www.nspcc.org.uk ___________________________ Samaritans (24 hours) T 116 123 W www.samaritans.org ___________________________ Floodline (24 hours) T 0345 988 1188 W www.gov.uk/ check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding
Transport Traveline T 0871 200 2233 W www.traveline.info __________________________ Rail travel T 0845 748 4950 W www.nationalrail.co.uk __________________________ Volunteer Transport Service Door-to-door transport to medical appointments at hospitals, GPs and day centres for patients without their own transport. 3 days' notice usually required, cost approx 45p per mile. Volunteer drivers sought. T 763117 W www.vasa.org.uk __________________________
I N F O R M A T I O N
Information
Alcester Library Priory Rd. Open: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9.30am5.30pm; Sat 10am-4pm; closed Tue & Sun. T 0300 555 8171 W www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ alcesterlibrary __________________________ Citizens’ Advice Bureau Globe House. Phone for an appointment. T 01789 200136 W stratforduponavoncab.org.uk __________________________ Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon (VASA) Church House, Butter St. Information about volunteering, services such as the Volunteer Transport Service and wheelchair loan. Open Mon-Fri 10am12.30pm. T 763117 W www.vasa.org.uk __________________________ Business Link Information & advice on running a business. T 0845 113 1234. W www.alcesterchamber.co.uk __________________________
Community venues Jubilee Centre Jubilee Fields, St Faith's Road. T 01789 766084 W www.alcester-tc.gov.uk ___________________________ War Memorial Town Hall Henley St. Marian Buchanan (bookings secretary) T 01789 400868 W www.alcestertownhall.org.uk
Guide & Scout Centre Moorfield Rd W www.westwarwickshire.org.uk ___________________________ Jubilee Court Lounge St Faiths Rd T 01789 764655 ___________________________ Malt Mill Lane Lounge T Contact 01789 762160
___________________________ Church House Butter St. T 01789 763723. W www.alcesterchurchhouse.org.uk
___________________________ Catholic Church Hall Priory Rd. Contact Rev Fr Andrew Berry T 01789 762573 W www.catholicalcester.org.uk
___________________________ Ragley Hall. T 01789 762090 W www.ragleyhall.com
___________________________ Methodist Church Hall Priory Rd. Contact Deacon Gwynne Barnford T 01527 852547.
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___________________________
Artisan Market Takes place in Alcester town centre on a Sunday monthly from March-October. T 01789 766084 W www.alcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/ the-alcester-artisan-market/
Alcester Food Festivals Usually take place usually on 3rd Saturday in May and October in the High Street. Free entrance, stalls. Free park & ride from Adam's Way. T 07707 469649 W www.alcesterfoodfestival.org.uk __________________________ The Game Fair Usually takes place biennially at the end of July at Ragley Hall. Celebrates British field sports and country life. T 01707 252707 W www.thegamefair.org __________________________ Alcester Folk Festival Usually takes place on 3rd weekend of June. Concerts, morris dancing, story telling, singing, etc. Winter Folk Festival in Feb. T 07788 536605. W www.alcesterfolkfestival.org
__________________________ Alcester Garden Walkabout A chance to visit gardens in the town centre not usually open to the public. Normally first Sun in June. T 764756 Sue Blackburn
Mop Fair Funfair in town centre, 1st Tue of Oct. Alcester & Forest of Arden Food Festivals Spring Festival is held on a Sat in May; Autumn Festival is held on a Sat in October. T 07707 469649. W www.alcesterfoodfestival.org.uk __________________________ St Nicholas Night Takes place on 6th December. Lighting of tree at St Nicholas Church, Christmas market, Compline service in the church. T 764261 Revd Adrian Guthrie T 07840 284294 Aministrator __________________________ Christingle Service Raises money for the Children's Society. Takes place usually 2 weeks before Christmas at Arrow Church. T 762638 Bill Baldwin (Churchwarden)
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__________________________ The Court Leet Street Market Held on High St, usually on a Sun in June (to be decided by High Bailiff) W www.alcestercourtleet.co.uk/ street-market.htm
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Regular events
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I N F O R M A T I O N
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Sports facilities
The Greig Leisure Centre Kinwarton Rd. T 01789 400073 W www.thegreig.org.uk ___________________________ Alcester Grammar School Sports Facility Birmingham Rd. Badminton sports hall, dance studio, tennis courts. Open for public use Mon-Fri 5.30-10pm & Sat & Sun 9.30am-1pm. T___________________________ 01789 768401 Broom Swim School The Grange, Mill Lane, Broom, Alcester B50 4HS. 11m x 5m indoor pool. Open Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 7am-6pm (closed Sun). Pre-booking required. T___________________________ 01789 772249
Media
Birmingham Post (daily) T 0121 236 3366 W www.birminghampost.co.uk __________________________ Birmingham Mail (daily) T 0121 234 5000/5430 W www.birminghammail.co.uk __________________________ Alcester Standard (weekly) T 01527 588688 W www.bullivantmedia.com __________________________ Alcester Advertiser(weekly) T 01384 358059 W www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk __________________________ Stratford upon Avon Herald (weekly) T 266261 W www.stratford-herald.com __________________________ The Connection Magazine (monthly) T 01789 491005 W www.connectionmags.co.uk __________________________ Stratford Observer (weekly) T 01789 293 384 W stratfordobserver.co.uk __________________________ The Bear Flag Magazine T 01789 762841 Bill Bayley __________________________ Warwickshire Life (web) T 01242 216050 W www.warwickshirelife.co.uk __________________________ Alcester (web) W www.alcester.co.uk __________________________
CLUBS & SOCIETIES Caring groups
Arden Foodbank c/o Globe House, Priory Rd. T 07733 551926 W www.arden.foodbank.org.uk __________________________ Friends of British Heart Foundation Organises collections. Volunteers needed. T 01789 766707 Christine Pugh __________________________ Alcester Club for the Blind and Partially Sighted Meets alt Thu 2-4pm at Jubilee Court. T 01789 400561 Karyl Rees (Sec) T 01789 763827 Ruth Dutton __________________________ Arrow Action Social group for those with learning disabilities. Meets Thu 7-9pm at the Greig. T 01527 893684 Judy Appleby __________________________
Social
Round Table Meets 2nd and 4th Wed 7.30 for 8pm at the Hollybush, Henley St. T 0121 456 4402 W alcester.roundtable.co.uk __________________________ 41 Club For ex-round-tablers. Usually meets 3rd Thu 7.30pm for 8pm at the Hollybush, Henley St. W www.41club.org/micro/alcester __________________________ Alcester Rotary Club Meets 1st & 3rd Mon 12.30pm at the King’s Court Hotel, Kings Coughton. T 01789 763111 King's Court W 1060.org.uk/alcester __________________________ Alcester Alauna Rotary Club Meets Thu 7.15am for 7.30am at the King’s Court Hotel, Kings Coughton. T 01789 763111 King's Court W 1060.org.uk/alcester-alauna __________________________ Alcester Probus Club Luncheon club for retired and semi-retired businessmen. Meets 4th Wed 12.15pm at Kings Court Hotel, Kings Coughton. T 01789 400679 Jack Winder (Sec) __________________________
Children’s Society Works on behalf of disadvantaged children. Local collections organised and bequests handled. Activities organised throughout year. T 01789 400427 David Malin __________________________ Royal British Legion Supports former members of the armed forces and their families. T 01789 764190 Valerie Huckell __________________________ British Red Cross Runs first aid courses. Volunteers required for High St shop. Open Mon-St 9am-5pm. T 01789 762441 __________________________
RVS Lunch Club For over-60s. Meets Tue & Thu 12.30pm at, Malt Mill Lane Lounge. Phone to book a place. T 01789 762307 Anne Gough __________________________ Alcester & District Lions Club Meets 2nd Tue 8pm at the the Holly Bush. T 01789 772082 Elizabeth Newey T 01789 490759 Roger Pemberton __________________________ Alcester (Shakespeare) Lions Club Meets 2nd Tue 8pm at the Members' Club, Crooks Lane. W www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/alcester __________________________ Darby & Joan Club Over-50s welcome. Meets Wed 2pm at Jubilee Court. T 01789 763494 Mary Spires __________________________ Alcester Unionist Club London House, 46 High St. T 01789 762458 W www.alcesterunionistclub.co.uk __________________________
C L U B S
S O C I E T I E S
Alcester Art for All Mixed ability painting. Meets Mon 1-3pm at the Scout & Guide Centre at the rear of Waitrose car park. T 01789 778937 Wendy Brain T 01386 791369 Lynne Cother ___________________________ Junior Drama Club and Youth Theatre For ages 6-16. Rehearses at Alcester Academy, Greville Rd, Mon 6-8pm, Sep-Feb. Also holds summer workshops. T 07807894635 Julie Styles ___________________________ Alcester Singers Mixed, non-audition choir, classical repertoire. Meets Thu 7.30pm at St Nicholas’ School, St Faiths Rd. T 01789 488410 W alcestersingers.co.uk. ___________________________
Alcester Musical Theatre Company Open to all aged 16 and over. Meets Thu 7.30 at The Greig Centre, Kinwarton Rd. At least 2 shows a year. T 01789 764210 W www.whats-on-theatre.org E chairman@whats-on-theatre.org.uk ___________________________ Alcester Victoria Silver Band Practices Mon 7.30pm at Catholic Church Hall, Priory Rd. New members welcome. T 01789 267678 Sue Bates W www.avsb.co.uk ___________________________ The White Hart Morris Men Dance traditional Cotswold Morris. Meet Mon 8pm at Alcestor Town Hall. T 0121 624 8949 / 07771 827520 Chris Ridley ___________________________
Tarantara Mixed choir. Meets Thu 7.30pm in Arrow Village Hall. W www.tarantara.org.uk ___________________________ Male Voice Choir Meets Mon 8pm & Wed 7.30pm at the the Jubilee Centre, St Faiths Rd. Performs about once every month. New members welcome. T 07886 139781 Judith Land W www.alcestermvc.org ___________________________ St Nicholas Church Choir Practices Tue, juniors 6.45pm, seniors 7.30pm, at St Nicholas' Church. Sings for Eucharist, Church Festivals and by request at weddings and funerals. T 01789 400579 Elizabeth Humphrey W www.alcesterminster.org ___________________________
Hobbies
Angling
Walking
Bridge Club Duplicate Bridge. Meets Fri 7.15pm at Unionist Club, High St. T 01789 763943 Joe White __________________________ Flower Club Flower arrangement demonstrations. Visitors welcome. Meets 1st Mon (except Aug) 7.30pm in the Methodist Church, Priory Rd. T 01789 762968 Elaine Willis (Sec) W www.southmidlandsnafas.org.uk __________________________ Gardening Club Meets 1st Thu in month 7.30pm at Jubilee Court Community Centre. Guest speakers & trips. T 01789 765105 Hilary Morgan (sec) __________________________ University of the Third Age (U3A) Runs variety of interest groups for the retired or semi-retired ranging from art to philosophy to keep fit. Social meeting with guest speaker each month, 1st Tue 2pm at the Jubilee Centre, St Faiths Rd W www.alcesteru3a.btck.co.uk __________________________ Horticultural Society Organises the annual flower show in Sep. T 01789 763591 / 765061 Dave Homans __________________________
Alcester Trades Angling Club Fishing on stretch of the Arrow. Meets 8pm on Fri. ‘Scramble’ held on 1st Wed of month during first six weeks of season, 5.30pm draw, 6-9pm fishing. Pensioners’ fishing on Wed afternoons later in season. T 01789 7641567 Bobby Dean T 0121 475 8782 T Terry (Sec) __________________________ Riverside Angling Club Fishing on a stretch of the Alne and part of the Arrow. Meet 8pm on Thu prior to match at Alcester Members’ Club. Organises pleasure fishing sessions for pensioners. T 07745 358603 Robert Jones (Sec) __________________________
History
Alcester & District Local History Society Meets 2nd Wed 8pm, St Benedict's School. T 011527 892653 Jane Hollington W www.alcesterhistory.org.uk ___________________________ Alcester Heritage Trust Runs Roman Alcester Heritage Centre. T 01789 763279 Trevor Wraight W sites.google.com/site/romanalcester2/ ___________________________ Alcester Heritage Network Curating and digitising community archive. E info@alcesterheritage.org.uk ___________________________
Alcester Tuesday Walkers Meet Tue 10am at Grieg Hall car park for 5-6 mile walk. E jaross@iee.org John Ross __________________________ Arrow & Arden Nordic Walking T 01789 766708 / 07875 609324 Kathrin Foster E nordicwalkers@outlook.com __________________________
Political parties
Conservatives T 01789 292723 W www.stratfordconservatives.co.uk __________________________ Greens T 07740 150285 W westmidlands.greenparty.org.uk __________________________ Labour T 01608 685637 W stratford-on-avon-labour.org.uk __________________________ Liberal Democrats T 01789 295970 W www.stratfordlibdems.org.uk __________________________ UKIP T 07800 900890 W www.stratfordonavon.ukipbranch.org __________________________
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Sport
Alcester Badminton Club Mixed, ladies and men's teams. Meets Mon 8-10pm at Alcester Grammar School. Youth programme 7-8pm. T 01527 893532/07814 785234 Nigel Hawes W www.alcesterbadminton.co.uk __________________________ Tuesday Friends’ Badminton Club Meets Tue 10am-12noon at The Greig. T 01527 854902 Janice Hoy __________________________ Wednesday Night Badminton Meets Wed 8.30-10.30pm at the Greig. T 01789 762346 Richard Taylor __________________________ Alcester (Crown) Bowls Club Ground: Meeting Lane. League Bowling on Wed & Thu night, Fri & Sun morning. T 01789 763624 Jean Bannister (Sec) __________________________ Alcester Short Mat Bowls Club Meets Thu 2-4pm at the Greig. T 01789 763624 George Kenneth __________________________ Alcester School of Boxing At Strong Arms Gym, Arden Road. T 07710 504561 __________________________ Alcester Town Netball Club Trains Wed 6-8pm at Alcester Grammar School, Birmingham Rd. T 01789 772352 Alison Clarke __________________________
Youth
Alcester Youth Club For ages 13-17. Currently meets Tue 7-9pm at the Depot, Jubilee Centre. Volunteers needed. T 762489 Cliff Williams ___________________________ Alcester Army Cadet Force For ages 12-18 years. Meets Mon & Thu. T 01386 421272 ___________________________ Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, & District Explorers Groups meet at Guides & Scouts HQ, Moorfield Rd. For further details or to get in touch see website. E teamdc@westwarwickshire.org.uk W www.westwarwickshire.org.uk ___________________________
Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club Ground: Ragley Park, Arrow. Men’s women’s & junior teams. Social events and fundraising. T Karen Swinburne (Sec) 400756. W www.arpcc.org.uk __________________________ Alcester Town Football Club Ground: Stratford Rd. Runs over 20 sides ranging from under-6s and girls teams to adults and veterans. Links with disabled football providers. T 01789 766944 Dave Taylor (Chair) T 07795 396456 Steve McAdam W www.alcestertownfc.co.uk __________________________ Alcester Rugby Football Club Ground: Birmingham Road, Kings Coughton. T 01789 764061 W www.pitchero.com/clubs/alcesterrfc __________________________ Alcester Tennis Club Courts: Moorfield Rd. W www.alcestertennisclub.com __________________________ Mixed Volleyball Club Trains Tue 7-8pm at Alcester Grammar School, Birmingham Rd. T 01789 262779/07862 733642 Tori Rushton __________________________
JAM (Jesus and Me) Children's Sunday club for primary school age. Meets during 11am service at St Nicholas Church 1st & 3rd Sunday. T 01789 764261 Revd Adrian Guthrie ___________________________ Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Seniors Groups meet at Guides & Scouts HQ, Moorfield Rd. There are also units in Salford Priors, Bidford and Welford. T 01789 764979 / 078 101 414 66 Jenny Holmes (District Commissioner) W www.ggw.org.uk ___________________________
Women's groups
Church Women’s Guild Tidies St Nicholas’ Church and arranges flowers, raises money for restoration. T 01789 764977 Sylvia Palmer ___________________________ Inner Wheel Club For wives of Rotarians. Meets 3rd Tue 7.30pm at the Moat House, Kings Coughton. T 01789 766854 / 765877 Margaret Hood ___________________________ Ladies’ Probus Club Social group for retired professional and business ladies. Meets 2nd Wed at Kings Court Hotel, Kings Coughton, 12.15 for 12.45pm lunch. T 01789 400868 Marian Buchanan ___________________________ Tangent Group for the wives of ex-roundtablers. Meets approximately once a month, various venues. T 01789 765292 Eli Evans ___________________________ Merry Wives of Alcester Invited speakers. Meet alternative Tue 8pm in the Methodist Hall. Programme in Alcester Library. T 01789 488220 Annabelle Duncan T 01789 762536 Linda Beck ___________________________ Mothers’ Union Alcester & Arrow Meets 1st Thu 7.30pm in Malt Hill Lane Community Centre. T 01789 762553 Daphne Cook ___________________________ Mothers' Union Kinwarton with Great Alne & Haselor Meets 4th Thu in members’ homes with prayer group on 2nd Tue. T 01789 763129 Pauline Vining ___________________________ Women’s Institute Alcester Meets 2nd Thu 7.30pm at the Malt Mill Lane Community Centre. T 01789 763525 Angela Watson ___________________________ Women’s Institute Great Alne & Kinwarton Meets 2nd Tue 7.30pm in Great Alne Memorial Hall. T 01789 762404 Zanny Cooper ___________________________
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