Pershore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pershore | |
  Pershore shown within Worcestershire |
|
| Population | 7,304 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| - London | 104.5mi |
| District | Wychavon |
| Shire county | Worcestershire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PERSHORE |
| Postcode district | WR10 |
| Dialling code | 01386 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| European Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Mid Worcestershire |
| List of places: UK • England • Worcestershire | |
Pershore is a small market town in Worcestershire, England on the banks of the River Avon. Pershore is in the Wychavon district and is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2001 census the population of Pershore was 7,304. The town is best known for Pershore Abbey, Pershore College, and is also known for the plums and pears grown locally.
Pershore is 6 miles west of Evesham and 6 miles east of Upton-upon-Severn. The town lies near the A44 midway from Worcester to Evesham. The nearest motorway junctions are junction 7 of the M5 (South Worcester) or junction 1 of the M50. There is a railway station on the Cotswold Line, enabling direct travel to Paddington station, London, via Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxford, Didcot and Reading, although Pershore station is more than a mile from the centre of the town towards Pinvin.
Pershore is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and important as the centre of a district rich in fruit and vegetable production (it is in the Vale of Evesham). Pershore has been designated as a town of major architectural importance by the Council for British Archaeology, and listed as an outstanding conservation area.
The River Avon runs through Pershore and is a popular stop off for boat traffic and fishermen alike.
Pershore's crowning glory is Pershore Abbey, an architectural gem; parts of the abbey date back to the 11th century. The current structure is far smaller than the original building, which was damaged when the Abbey was plundered during the reign of Henry VIII at the Dissolution when the original nave was destroyed (the north transept collapsed later). The present nave occupies the western part of what would originally have been the choir. The Abbey stands in a large expanse of public grassland close to the centre of the town.
As it is situated within Wychavon District Council Pershore's schools conform to the 3-tier model of First School (ages 5-10), Middle School (ages 10-12), High School (ages 12-18). Pershore has only one High School, Pershore High School which has its own Sixth Form, all weather sports pitches and sports hall. It also has only one middle school: Abbey Park Middle School. There are two first schools in Pershore: Abbey Park First School and Cherry Orchard First School.
Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Primary School, situated on Priest Lane beside Holy Redeemer, Pershore's only Catholic Church, stands outside the 3-tier model. It is a Primary School (ages 5-11) which acts as a feeder school to Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester.
The community arts centre, Number 8, stands on the High Street.
Pershore Volunteer Centre is located on Priest Lane.
Pershore has its own morris dance tradition. [1]
Pershore's football club, Pershore Town F.C., belongs to the Midland Football Combination league.
Pershore is twinned with Bad Neustadt in Germany and Plouay in France.
Pershore is also home of actress and singer Toyah Willcox and her husband Robert Fripp of rock band King Crimson.[1]
