Official Alcester Town Guide by Tim Pearce

ALCESTER

OFFICIAL TOWN GUIDE

WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF ALCESTER TOWN COUNCIL

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PARTRIDGE BLEACHFIELD ST, ALCESTER B49 5BB

Beer garden - Sky TV - All sports Car park next door - Real ales Log fire - Full bar snack menu Breakfast served Saturday/Sunday 9am-4pm

Intimate function room available for private hire, telephone: 01789 762421

• Residential & Commercial Property Sales • Residential & Commercial Lettings • Full Property Management Service • Tenant find only service • Block Management • Free Valuations Tel: 01789 764 768 E-mail: Alcester@stevenwoodley.co.uk

Home & Kitchen Accessories Greeting Cards and Giftware be d l u o h s t i as g n i p p o h Local s 9 High Street, Alcester

01789 765494 email: hrjtrading@btconnect.com

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL-OUT

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: • All Aspects of Tree Work • Tree Stump Removal CORRECTLY • Tree & Hedge Planting INSURED FOR • Firewood & Wood Chip Sales TREE WORK • Estate & Woodland Maintenance • Hedge Trimming, Height Reductions & Re-Shaping • Health & Safety Work • Highway / Roadside Work • TPO & Conservation Area Applications Multi-Local Authority Approved Private & Corporate

Contact: Mike Hamilton M: 07778 575093 E: info@rootstoshoots.net

www.rootstoshoots.net

t: 01789 763081

 GIRL FRIDAY  Stylish Corner Greeting Card & Gift Specialist

1 Church Street, Alcester Tel: 01789 763052

Up-to-date styling Wedding hair

31 High Street, Alcester B49 5AF

Tel: 01789 762922



www.theatticalcester.co.uk

tanning, toning and beauty centre 5 Market Place, Alcester Tel: 01789 764734 Email: the.attic@alcester.co.uk ♥ Stockists of dermalogica, OPI & NEW CID ♥ Toning tables for inch loss & well being ♥ Facials & body care for men & women ♥ Vibrating power plate ♥ CACI non-surgical face lifting ♥ Waxing & electrolysis ♥ Manicures & pedicures ♥ Wedding make-up ♥ Botox, dermal fillers & chemical peels ♥ Universal contour wraps ♥ Tanning tubes ♥ Spray tans - 3 shades to suit skin colour Open: Monday & Wednesday 9.30am-7pm Tuesday & Thursday 10am-7pm Friday 9.30am-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm

Everything from nail clipping to the full pamper, clip and style for your breed of dog. Based at Bidford Boatyard, with ample free parking. Come and see my purpose-built parlour. The best shampoos and equipment used to suit your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual needs. Fully insured. Boatyard Drive, Holland Close, Bidford-on-Avon B50 4JJ Tel: 01789 773615 Mob: 07765 385282 Email: riversidegrooming@gmail.com web: riversidegrooming.co.uk

The no.1 dog grooming parlour in Bidford.

BIDFORD BOAT SERVICES

Narrow boat day hir e

Fancy a day out on the river? With a picnic or pub lunch... Special occasion? Or just a day out with family and friends? Luxury narrow boats with full kitchen facilities, hot and cold running water, central heating and flush toilets. Day hire available from only ÂŁ15 per person! Contact David Bidwell Tel: 01789 772124 or 07796 520825 Email: bidforddayhire@gmail.com Web: www.bidfordboats.co.uk

- Transport - Removals - House Clearance See website for all of our services:

www.sanddenterprises.co.uk sales@sanddenterprises.co.uk

M:07966 540453 T:01789 488446 s job r f f a e-o ul n On d reg tatio an spor cts. n ra tra cont

The purrfect holiday home... Why not treat your cats to a 5-star holiday of their own! n Clean, fully equipped and spacious accommodation n Special needs and diet catered for n Grooming at no extra cost n Collection service available n Inspection invited n OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

West Grove Cattery West Grove House Haselor Hill Nr Alcester B49 6ND Telephone:

01789 763133 www.westgrovecattery.co.uk

CONTENTS

CONTENTS Introducing Alcester........................................................................ 9 A history of Alcester.................................................................10-12 Oversley Bridge............................................................................. 11 The Romans in Alcester................................................................. 12 Street index..............................................................................16-17 Town map................................................................................18-19 Area map...................................................................................... 20 Court Leet / St Nicholas' Church / Town Hall................................ 21 Alcester Town Council................................................................... 25 Globe House................................................................................. 25 Malt Mill Lane............................................................................... 26 Kinwarton dovecote...................................................................... 26 Workhouse.................................................................................... 26 Tueries........................................................................................... 26 Ragley Hall & Coughton Court...................................................... 27 Local services...........................................................................29-31 Clubs & societies......................................................................31-33 Sport & youth facilities.................................................................. 34 Famous names.............................................................................. 35 Businesses................................................................................35-36 Church Street

The Alcester Town Guide was produced on behalf of Alcester Town Council by Heritage Guides ÂŠ2011. We wish to express our thanks to David Mouson, John Hill, John Bunting, Ralph Baker and Ross Greig for their advice on the historical sections and to Chris Wright and Paula Haggerty of the Town Council for their encouragement and input. The photograph of Minerva Mill Innovation Centre is courtesy of Jo McGahan. The illustration of the Roman enamelled fish brooch on page 12 is by permission of Warwickshire Museum Service. We gratefully acknowledge the support of our advertisers without whose help we would not have been able to produce this town guide. 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. Alcester Town Council, Globe House, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5DZ T: 01789 766084 E: clerk@alcester-tc.gov.uk W: www.alcester-tc.gov.uk

Pictured on the cover: Malt Mill Lane; St Nicholas' Church

Heritage Guides, 7 Romilly Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan CF62 6AZ T: 01446 405298 F: 01446 461792 E: info@heritage-guides.com W: www.heritage-guides.com

Hopkins Pharmacy Tapcast is a family business, based in Inkberrow, with over 25 years experience, supplying and supporting computer systems in homes and businesses. Call Tapcast for: Computers, Peripherals, Support, Upgrades, Training, Broadband, Email, Database development and much more.

Hopkins Precinct, Kinwarton Road, Alcester B49 6AA

Tel 01789 762634 • Friendly advice about your medication • Free prescription collection & delivery service available to all patients www.aah.co.uk

TEL: (01386) 792196 EMAIL: jane.neal@tapcast.co.uk WEB: www.tapcast.co.uk

your new...

...store is now open at 5-7 High Street, Alcester B49 5AE 01789 766768 We are open Mon to Sat 6.30am9.30pm and Sun 7am-9pm l FULL RANGE OF GROCERY l CHILLED & FORZEN FOODS l LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCTS l CHILLED BEERS, WINES & SPIRITS l FRESH MEAT l FRESH FRUIT & VEG l IN-STORE BAKERY

convenience just got better

WILKES BUTCHERS 1a Hopkins Precinct, Alcester Tel: 01789 762607

Fresh fruit & vegetables Home made sausages & faggots Fine cuts of lamb, beef and pork Quality meats

More Choice Good Value Great Service PS

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BIRCH ABBEY

where hairdressing is an art

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Try us for: ✔ Personalised sportswear, ALCESTER leisure wear and corporate ROAD T AL OL TI clothing LL YS IM HO ON R SC OR D EL ✔ Express embroidery & AN E printing service TCHU R ✔ Dancewear SE ✔ Cubs, Brownies, Scouts & GGS LANE STRA TFOR Guides uniforms D R O AD T ✔ Educational toys and games STREE S E R C ✔ Musical instruments E RO

01789 764688 07876 642574

8 Market Place, Alcester Warwickshire. B40 5AE

Monday 9am-5pm • Tuesday closed Wednesday 9am-5pm • Thursday 9am-7pm Friday 9am-6pm • Saturday 9am-4pm t n’t jus We do lwear! o o ch sell s

schoolwear & more

The Moat

Kings Coughton B49 5QF Tel 01789 762984 www.moathouseinn.co.uk

The Moat is happy to support the people of Alcester and warmly welcomes all visitors New opening hours from February 2012 • Open midday to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 12 noon until 10pm • Food Served 12-9 Monday to Saturday and 12-8 on Sunday • Sunday Lunch available from £5.95 per person • Food Offers Available Daily • Pensioners’ lunch served weekdays 12-2pm, only £5.95pp Great Food, Great Drinks, Great Service & Great Price Function Room • Free Room Hire • Suitable for all types of parties and events for up to 150 people - Simply pay for the services you require! Outdoor Events • Classic Car Club - Last Thursday of every month. April to September from 6.30pm. Last Sunday* of Month October to March, 11am til 3pm (* December Meet Boxing Day 11am til 3pm) • Vintage Car Club - First Thursday of every month all year round from about 6.30pm • Caravan Rallies - Space available for up to 20 vans/motor homes, only £4 per night per van • Free Motor Home Stopover any night of the year, if you make use of the facilities of the pub! • Moat House Olympics 2012 - More details coming soon • Monthly Quiz Nights, great prizes & snacks, all for charity. Watch out for more details!

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCING ALCESTER

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.

HISTORY

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ALCESTER

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 (Roman Alcester, p12).

The Saxon Tau cross unearthed in Alcester rectory garden

Following 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 Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia with its power base around Tamworth. Alcester may well have been a thriving town when the AngloSaxons 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. When William the Conqueror invaded England, he 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. From a depiction of Egwin in stained glass at Worcester Cathedral

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

HISTORY

BRIDGE TO THE PAST

Minerva Mill, a reminder of the needle-making industry

lcester 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 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 (pictured below). 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 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 Evesham-Redditch 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 and now converted to retail, is an obvious reminder of this industry. Alcester Grammar School was founded in the late 16th century as one of only four elementary schools established during the reign of Elizabeth I. There 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. From 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 Continued overleaf ❱

ROMAN ALCESTER

THE ROMANS COME TO TOWN Roman Alcester Heritage Centre; inset, bronze enamelled Fish Brooch, found during excavations at Gas House Lane, 1989 (Image by permission of Warwickshire Museum Service).

he 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 ❰ From page 11 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 Minerva Mill on Birmingham Road which, thankfully, has been preserved and has now found a new use as business accommodation. Needlemaking disappeared from Alcester in the early 20th century.

was also on the important eastwest 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 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.

specialists for:

servicing, brakes, air conditioning, vehicle diagnostics, MOTs • free local collection • free courtesy cars • quality workmanship • competitive rates For a quote, phone 01789 764851 Units 13-15, Tything Road East, Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester B49 6ES

CAR/VAN SALES SERVICING REPAIRS Arden Business Centre, Arden Road, Alcester B49 6HN

01789 400848

www.arrowcarsalesltd.co.uk

Quality used vehicles at affordable prices In-house servicing MOTs Parts

Alan Benjamin

LOCKS

• Locks • Bolts • Security Fittings For all your security requirements,

tel: 01789 772464 Does your home security comply with your insurance company’s requirements? (e.g. BS “kite marked” locks on external doors, window locks, patio door and anti-lift locks etc.) Have it checked for FREE.

A. Dyer & Sons Complete funeral directors Family business established 1945

Tel: 01527 852213 Mobile: 07860 252 797 23 Alcester Road STUDLEY Warks B80 7AG

Est. in 1999 after 33 years of Police service

Sambourne Lane, Coughton, Alcester B49 5HS

Material Girls

www.oldschoolnursery.co.uk info@oldschoolnursery.co.uk

The Old School Nursery is situated in the village of Coughton, opposite the National Trust Coughton Court and close to Coughton CofE Primary School.

• Day nursery for children aged 2 years to 5 years • Pre-school and after-school club for children aged up to 11 years • Government funded places for 3-4 year olds • Walking bus to and from Coughton CofE Primary School • Hot lunch available

Tel 01789 766 040

A haven of top brands in knitting, quilting and patchwork, with the latest contemporary fabrics, yarns and accessories with free friendly, helpful advice Yarn café held every Monday Sewing café and workshops available 4 Market Place, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5AE

www.materialgirlsshop.co.uk info@materialgirlsshop.co.uk

01789 400747

DORSET HOUSE Church Street, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5AJ Tel: 01789 762 856 Mob: 07785 93 46 45 admin@dorsethouseaccommodation.co.uk

4 star Self-Catering / Bed & Breakfast accommodation sleeping 2 to 19 people (increasing to 23 with cottage). Dorset House is a beautiful spacious Georgian Town House dating back to the mid 1400s in the centre of Alcester’s conservation area. Enjoy a journey through time; with inglenook fireplaces, elegant furnishings, beamed ceilings and wooden flooring throughout. This property offers a charming place to stay with all the modern amenities that you would expect in a current holiday setting. Enjoy the peaceful tranquillity of a walled garden which leads directly to the River Arrow and the countryside beyond or simply relax in the courtyard garden. A great property for couples, families and groups; whether you are getting away or getting together; taking a leisurely break; celebrating an event or want an informal business setting. - Superbly located for access to local amenities, activities and attractions set in beautiful countryside - In the centre of an historic town and opposite the church dating back to 1400. - Great base to explore Stratford-upon-Avon and its Shakespearian heritage - Private walled garden - Open all year, mid week and short breaks available - Parking for up to 8 cars. - Access to swimming pool - Towels and linen provided free of charge

SCALLYWAGS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK

NEF Funding available up to 15 hours a week for children over 3 years Children can join us from 2 years old Church Street, Alcester Warwickshire B49 5AJ Tel: 01789 764538

www.scallywagspreschool.co.uk

Email: scallywagspresch@btinternet.com

Ofsted: “excellent inclusive practice ensures that the uniqueness of each child is recognised and met”

BALLET

SCHOOLS

ALCESTER STREET INDEX Locations refer to town map on pages 18-19. Abbey Close.....................2a Abbey Mews....................4b Adams Way......................2b Alauna Avenue................. 3c Alcester Heath.................2a Alcocks Road................... 3c Allimore Lane...................3a Allwoods Close................3a

Alne Bank Road............... 3c 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.....................4d Birch Abbey......................4b Birmingham Rd...........1a/3a Blackthorn Way................2b Bleachfield Street.............4b Boteler Close....................4b Bulls Head Yard................4b Butter Street.....................4b Captains Hill..................... 3c Castle Road......................2b

Alcester Chiropractic Clinic

Chiropractor: Joanne Thurston BSc DC ARE YOU IN PAIN? Call for an Chiropractic can help: appointment TODAY on • Back pain 01789 773147 • Neck pain jthurston@alcesterchiropractic.co.uk • Frozen shoulder www.alcesterchiropractic.co.uk • Hip and knee joint pain • Headaches within The Greig, Kinwarton Road, Alcester B49 6AD. Free car parking. Member of the British Chiropractic Association • Specialist BUPA/PPP provider Registered with the General Chiropractic Council

Chantry Crescent..............4b Chapman Way.................. 3c Chestnut Court.................4b Church Street...................4b Cold Comfort Lane...........3a Colebrook Close............... 4c Collins Way...................... 3c Corinthian Court..............4b Coughton Fields Lane.......1d Crooks Lane..................... 3c Cross Road.......................4b

STREET INDEX

Devonish Close................ 2c Eclipse Road.....................3a Elm Drive.........................4d Evesham Street................4a Fairwater Crescent........... 3c Fenwick Close.................. 3c Fields Park Drive............... 3c Flax Close.........................4b Gashouse Lane.................4b Georgian Close................3b Gerard Road.....................3d 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 Kinwarton Farm Rd.......... 2c Kinwarton Road............... 3c Kinwarton Workshops...... 2c Larch Close......................3b Lea Close......................... 3c Malin Court......................3b Malt Mill Lane..................4b Market Place....................4b Meadow Road..................2b Meadow View Close........ 3c Meeting Lane...................3b Mill Industrial Park, The....1a Mill Lane.......................... 5c Minerva Mews.................3a Minerva Mill.....................3b

The Willow Tree Nursery School, Bidford on Avon Primary School, Bramley Way, Bidford on Avon, Warks. B50 4QG 01789 773041 willowtreenursery@hotmail.co.uk

Monday to Friday (term time only): Mornings are 8.50am to 12.20, Afternoons are 12.30 to 3.30pm, And all day is 8.50am to 3.30pm. (Lunch care provided) We can accommodate up to 24 children per session. We have a safe and secure outside play area. We also have strong links with Bidford Primary School. Children from 2 year plus Privately run nursery Contact: Sally Jackson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Manager (Owner) or Anneliese Burgess â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Assistant Manager (Partner) We provide a professional high standard of care in a happy, safe and secure - stimulating environment. We have been established for 15 years and have 30 years of experience in child care. All members of staff are at least level three qualified in child care. Our nursery has a friendly welcoming atmosphere. If you feel that the Willow Tree Nursery School is the ideal place to bring your child to, then please contact us 01789 773041. Visits welcome.

Moorfield Road................4b Newport Drive..................4b Old Rectory Gardens........3b Old Stratford Road........... 4c Orchard Drive...................4b Oversley Mill Park............5b Park View.........................5a Plover Close.....................2b Poplar Close.....................4d Precision Way................... 2c Primrose Lane.................. 5c Priory Road......................4b Purton Close.................... 2c Ragley Mill Lane..............3b Regency Drive..................1a Riddell Close....................3d Riverside.......................... 3c Roebuck Park...................3a Roman Way......................4a Rope Walk........................3b Rufford Close................... 2c School Road.....................3b Seggs Lane.......................4b

Seymour Road.................. 2c Sherwell Drive..................4b Smiths Way...................... 3c 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............. 3c Tibbets Close.................... 3c Tything Road (East).......... 2c Tything Road (West)......... 2c Vallet Avenue...................3b Wain Close....................... 2c Weatheroak Road............ 3c Wharrage Road................ 3c Willoughby Close.............1a Willow Close....................5b Winchcombe Road...........3d

33 Henley Street Alcester 01789 763490

Magic shop Ghost hunts Workshops Seances Readings Plus much more!

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ALCESTER

© Copyright Heritage Guides 2011. 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.

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COURT LEET / ST NICHOLAS' CHURCH

HOLDING COURT

lcester’s Court Leet is both a colourful survivor from the town’s distant past and an active force helping to improve the town and the life of its residents today. It dates its origins back to medieval times. The estate - or Manor - of Alcester lay in the Barlichway Hundred (a subdivision of the county for administrative purposes). The Courts of the Hundreds had jurisdiction over petty offences and civil affairs, while Lords of the Manor were entitled to hold their own courts (the Courts Baron) to deal chiefly with land and employment issues arising from their feudal rights. In certain cases, the King handed the jurisdiction of the Hundred Court to the Manor, in which case the manor was entitled to hold its ‘Court Leet’. Alcester gained its own Court Leet in 1299, perhaps in recognition

of its increasing commercial importance. The legal system continued to develop over the centuries, and those Courts Leet that survived were gradually stripped of their powers. Alcester’s Court Leet has survived, largely in ceremonial form, although it has the right to act as an ombudsman on behalf of residents. It elects officers annually, and not only preserves colourful ancient traditions, but also helps raise money for good causes. The officers of the court are elected for a year term by the Jurors, men who are freeholders, leaseholders or residents of the Manor of Alcester. Events organized by the Court Leet include the street market on a Sunday in June, the High Bailiff’s Dinner, the pancake races on Shrove Tuesday and the historic Mop Fair on the first Tuesday in October.

Town Hall

lcester’s Town Hall is unusually designated a War Memorial. It first took the form of a colonnade of 18 pillars of Cotswold stone to provide an open market in place of the market cross. This was errected around 1620 by the Lord of the Manor, Sir Fulke Greville. In 1641 the timbered upper

room, with its impressive hammerbeam roof, was added. The colonnade was filled in in 1873 to create more accommodation downstairs. In 1919, the hall was bought from the Lord of the Manor by public subscription. It is now managed by a trust. The Court Leet uses it for ceremonial meetings.

CHURCH TIMES

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, and probably stands on a Saxon site, although the first reference to the dedication of St Nicholas is from 1218. There is a mention of a parson here in 1207. The oldest part is the tower, the base of which dates from the 13th century and the upper parts from the 15th. For a time during the 15th century, the church was dedicated to St Faith, possibly coinciding with a contemporary rebuilding. However, at some point it was restored to its original dedication. The nave and aisles were rebuilt around the middle of the 18th century. The suitably Gothic style of the exterior contrasts with the uncompromisingly classical pillars inside. There were once galleries, removed when the chancel and the side chapels were added in 1870. The most remarkable monument in the church is the alabaster tomb of the first Sir Fulke Greville (died 1559) and his wife Elizabeth (died 1565). It was built in 1655 and portrays the fifteen children of the marriage around effigies of the pair.

Arrow Mill Hotel & Restaurant Arrow, nr Alcester B49 5NL

Tel: (01789) 762419 reception@arrowmill.com www.arrowmill.com • Seasonally changing menus • Traditional Sunday Lunches • Family functions • Informal dining & light meals • Riverside terrace & courtyard • Civil wedding licence & receptions •18 en suite rooms

Broom Swim School Est 1986

• Babes/toddler/pre-school classes • NPTS awards 1-7 • Bronze/Silver/Gold challenge • Adult tuition - all abilities • Private leisure swims

Tel 01789 772249

The Grange, Mill Lane, Broom, nr Alcester B50 4HS

Hogan’s 90x60mm

a family home within a stately house

• A great family day out! • Hall, park and gardens, woodland walk, lake and adventure playground. • Weddings - a stunning location for your memorable day. • Corporate events and conferences - rooms and spaces available both inside the Hall, and outside in our extensive parkland. A place to build your team. Ragley Hall, Alcester Warwickshire B49 5NJ Tel: 01789 762090 Ext 120 Fax: 01789 764791 www.ragleyhall.com

Our award-winning local ciders and perries are now available directly from us!

Hogan’s Cider Lower Barn Buildings, Haselor, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6LX Please call or see website for opening times Tel 01789 488433 hoganscider.co.uk

The Golden Cross at Ardens Grafton - a real country pub We’re in the 2011 Good Beer Guide! A435

Alcester

A46

Arrow

The Golden Cross

Ardens Grafton

A46

Bidford-on-Avon B439

Private dining room - Wedding receptions & parties Great ales - large beer garden - pub food with a twist! www.thegoldencross.net

tel: 01789 772420

“DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY”

Hair & Beauty 5 Evesham Street, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5DS 01789 766222 www.maverickshair.co.uk

ENJOY A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE Discover the benefits of ALOE VERA with FOREVER LIVING PRODUCTS

Extensive range of natural health products

• Nutrition • Skin Care • Health Drinks • Animal Care 60 day ‘satisfaction or your money back’ guarantee Millions of delighted customers Contact Karen Millham (independent distributor) Freephone 0808 197 2724 Mobile 0781 474 1891 Email karen@healthylivingforlife.co.uk www.healthylivingforlife.co.uk

Contact Karen Millham Mobile 0781 474 1891

Forever Living Products is a member of the Direct Selling Association

TOWN COUNCIL

YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL A lcester Town Council has responsibility for the Civil Parish of Alcester which has the most inhabitants of any Parish or Town Council outside Stratford in the Stratford District of Warwickshire. The Council has sixteen councillors and every year elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who act as the Chairman and Deputy. The area governed by the Town Council is separated into three wards: Alcester, Oversley and Oversley Green. Alcester, the biggest ward, is situated to the west of the River Arrow and includes the town centre, Kings Coughton and Alcester Heath. Oversley Ward is to the east of

the River Arrow and is separated from Oversley Green by the River Alne, which meets the River Arrow at Oversley Bridge. Full council meetings are monthly, and there are also five committees: Planning, Community, Recreation & Open Spaces, an executive Presidium (made up from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairmen from the other three committees), and a Scrutiny Committee. The Council runs the following facilities for the town: • Recreation fields and Pavilion • Westbury Park • Three allotment sites • Two cemetery sites • Four play areas

It has also provided, looks after, or continues to look after: • 63 benches in and around Alcester • Approximately 500 trees • Many of the town’s litter bins and dog litter bins It has a grants policy which annually awards grants to local organisations which benefit the town. Alcester Town Council actively works on behalf of the community of Alcester bringing issues to the attention of its partners which include Stratford on Avon District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire NHS and others.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

Globe House, home of the Town Council, Roman Alcester Heritage Centre and other public organisations.

lobe House is part of a complex of civic buildings, including the library, police station and clinic, erected at the end of last century to provide a civic centre for the town, whilst keeping a respectful distance from the town’s historic core on High Street and Henley Street. It was taken over and refurbished by Stratford-on-Avon District Council as a basis for delivering services locally. In the present climate of public spending cut-backs, the function of the

building is being reassessed, but this represents an opportunity for the town. The lease of the building has been assigned to the Town Council which was formerly merely a tenant . Now the Town Council has the opportunity of formalising arrangements with other community interest bodies for use of the building and expanding the number of organisations using space, and has already had to take on a new member of staff. The building continues to house

the Roman Alcester exhibition, which it has done since 2004. It is also currently an outreach centre for the South Warwickshire Credit Union and the Alcester Volunteer Bureau. It continues to provide an access point for Stratford-on-Avon District Council services through a phone, computer and scanner link. Customers can pay council tax, car park fines, etc by using this service. The town council is also seeking additional community uses for the building.

STREETSCAPE

TOWN JEWELS Malt Mill Lane

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 (pictured above) in order to house their rising numbers. The facade of the building is unusually grand and, perhaps, deceptively inviting. It is faced in ashlar paid for by the Throckmortons of Coughton Court. It is now split into flats.

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. 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 (pictured above). Inside there is an unusual revolving ladder for reaching the nesting boxes. It is owned by the National Trust.

lcester is peppered with fine timber-framed 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 WORD TO KILL FOR

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 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 then began to be used to refer to any alleyway.

STATELY HOMES

A TALE OF TWO HOUSES J Alcester is privileged to have two fine stately homes on its outskirts. 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 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

Ragley Hall

collection of 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.

BASTION OF CATHOLICISM

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. Coughton Court

The central gatehouse, with its turrets, dates from 1518 whilst the two half-timbered wings to the rear are mid-Elizabethan. These were once joined by a further range, enclosing the courtyard. The front each side of the central gatehouse was remodelled in 1780 in "Gothick" manner. Coughton is closely associated with 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 religious tolerance finally permitted it in the 19th century, the Throckmortons built a Catholic church alongside.

CONTACTS (telephone dialling code is 01789 unless otherwise stated)

LOCAL SERVICES LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Responsibility for local government is divided between three authorities in Alcester: Town Council Alcester Town Council represents local concerns, is consulted by the County and the District on planning issues and cares for allotments, the cemetery, open spaces and street furniture. Contact Chris Wright (Clerk) or Paula Haggerty (Assistant Clerk), Globe House, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5DZ. Tel 766084. www.alcester-tc.gov.uk Town Councillors Alcester Ward - Alison Brown, John Bunting, Mike Gittus, Yvette Morrison, Mark Cargill, Chris Gough, Jim Kenyon, Eric Payne, Clive Neal-Sturgess. Oversley Ward - Yvonne Hine, Susan Adams, Peter Carr, Lennox Cumberbatch, Bill Malin, Julie Styles. Oversley Green Ward - Nina Knapman. The above councillors can be contacted through the Town Council on 766084. District Council Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s responsibilities include building and planning regulations, housing, noise abatement, public health, and refuse collection. Address: Elizabeth House, Church St, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6HX. Tel 267575. District Councillors Alcester Ward - Susan Adams (Con) 400371 / 766499; Susan Juned (LibDem) 762751; Eric Payne (Con) 762577. County Council Warwickshire County Council’s responsibilities include education, social services, police, fire service, roads, footpaths, street lighting, trading standards, leisure and tourism, and refuse disposal. 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 Const. - Nadhim Zahawi (Con). Contact 292723. www.zahawi.com

MEPs (West Midlands Region) Philip Bradbourn OBE (Con) 01676 530621 ; Malcolm Harbour (Con) 01676 530 682; Nicole Sinclaire (Ind) 0121 359 5933; Michael Cashman (Lab) 0121 569 1923; Liz Lynne (LibDem) 266354; Mike Nattrass (UKIP) 0121 333 1535. Alcester/Bidford Community Forum Held four times a year, an opportunity to discuss local priorities for councils, policing and other organisations providing public services within the Alcester/Bidford area. Contact 01789 290784. Details available on: www.alcester-tc.gov.uk Vision for Alcester Formed in 2008, VFA is a community organisation working closely with the Town Council to improve the long term quality of the town. Projects are based on an approved Action Plan, which is being delivered by 2020, and the Town Plan. During the first four years Stratford District Council provided £100,000 capital funding for approved projects. The initiative will continue with grants being sought from other funding bodies. Among the projects delivered so far are Youth facilities on Conway Fields, a new ground for Alcester Town FC, Archaeological surveys on Arrow Fields, youngsters' cricket and tennis facilities and the Town Information system. Members of the Steering Group are volunteers representing individuals and organisations in the town. The Project Delivery team meet more frequently. New members are welcome. Contact Roger Jackson (Secretary) 01789 762540 or email: roger.jackson@metronet.co.uk

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

• Fire, police, ambulance 999. • Childline (for young people needing to talk) 0800 1111. • NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (for adults concerned about the safety of children) 0808 800 1111. • Stratford-on-Avon Housing Advice 01789 267575. • Samaritans 08457 909090. • Floodline 0845 988 1188.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Police Front desk services can be accessed via the Town Council at Globe House, Priory Road. General enquiries: 01926 415000.

29 Registrar Service Winton House, Church St, Stratfordupon-Avon. Open: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Tel 0300 555 0255. Courts Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa. Tel 01926 682100. Recycling & Refuse Fortnightly collection of paper, glass, cans, textiles, garden waste by district council - wheelie bins provided, contact 260616. Mini recycling point: Bleachfield St Car Park for paper & glass. Household waste recycling centre: Burton Farm, A46, Bishopton - Open Oct-March, Mon-Sat 8am-4.30pm, Sun 9am-4.30pm; April-Sept, Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Contact 01926 412593. Helplines • Anti-social behaviour 260123. • Dog Warden 267575. • Family Information Service (childcare) 0845 090 8044.

TRANSPORT

Buses Main services run from Alcester are to Redditch, Stratford, Evesham and Worcester. Contact Traveline 0871 200 2233. Railways Stations at Redditch (for Birmingham and the north west) and Stratford (for Warwick and the south east). Rail enquiry service: 0845 748 4950. Volunteer Transport Service Run by VASA. 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. Contact 763117 between 9.30am-12.30pm.

HEALTH

Advice lines • NHS Direct (general medical advice) 0845 4647. • Smokefree 0800 022 4332. • Quitline (smoking) 0800 002 200. GPs • Alcester Health Centre, Priory Rd 763060. • Arrow Lodge Medical Centre, Kinwarton Rd 763293. Hospitals • Alexandra Hospital, Woodrow Dr, Redditch (A&E) 01527 503030.

30 • Stratford Hospital, Arden St, Stratford (minor injuries/clinics) 205831. • Warwick Hospital, Lakin Rd, Warwick (A&E) 01926 495321. Dentists • The Old Tile House, High St 762567. • MSC, 19 Priory Rd 400111. Wheelchair loan Service operated by VASA available at Globe House. Contact 763117 between 9.30am-12.30pm.

AMENITIES

The Greig Kinwarton Rd. Leisure centre including 35-piece fitness suite, squash courts, dance studio, therapy suite, outdoor court and badminton sports hall. Contact 400073. Alcester Grammar School Sports Facility Birmingham Rd. Badminton sports hall, dance studio, tennis courts. Open for public use 5.30-10pm. Contact 768401. Youth Club Uses the Depot in the Pavilion, St Faiths Rd. Contact Town Council 766084. Broom Swim School The Grange, Mill Lane, Broom, Alcester B50 4HS. An 11m x 5m indoor pool. Open Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 7am6pm (closed Sun). Swimming lessons & leisure swims (all to be pre-booked). Fully qualified swim teachers. Contact 772249. Community halls/venues • The Greig Hall, Gunnings Rd. Contact 400073. www.thegreig.co.uk • War Memorial Town Hall, Henley St. Contact Marian Buchanan (bookings secretary) 400868. • Church House, Butter St. Contact Richard Osborne 763509. www.stnicholasalcester.org.uk • Ragley Hall. Contact 762090. www.ragleyhall.com • Scout & Guide Centre, Moorfield Rd. Contact Mike Dean 07920 484838. • Jubilee Court lounge, Lea Close. Contact 764655. • Malt Mill Lane lounge. Contact 762160. • Catholic Church Hall, Priory Rd (available for occasional use). Contact Fa Richard Jones 762573. • Methodist Church Hall, Priory Rd. Contact Revd Bob Thomas 01527 541885.

(telephone dialling code is 01789 unless otherwise stated) • Alcester Pavilion & Youth Suite, Conway Fields, St Faith's Rd. Contact Town Council 766084. Allotments • One site on Allimore Lane and two on Bleachfield St managed by Town Council. Contact 766084. • Site on School Road managed by Horticultural Society. Contact Dave Homans 763591. River Arrow Nature Reserve Ragley Mill Lane. Two-acre site managed by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of District Council. Home to kingfishers, ducks, etc. Plant specialities include the Small Teasel. Heart of England Way 100 mile long sign-posted walk from Cannock Chase to the Cotswolds, passing through the Forest of Arden (Arden Way), Alcester and Bidford-onon-Avon. www.heartofenglandway.org Monarch's Way 615 mile sign-posted walk from Worcester to Shoreham, passing through Alcester, tracing the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. www.monarchsway.com Stratford-on-Avon Credit Union Community-based savings and loan organisation. Open: Tue 2-3.30pm, Fri 10-11am, at the Pavilion, Conway Fields. Hotline 0845 6019698.

HOUSING

Alcester United Almshouse Charity Maintains 6 almshouses on Stratford Rd for people in need who are residents of the town. Clerk to the Trustees: Andrew Deeks, 763723. Orbit Housing Association Contact 0345 8 500 500.

TOURISM

Roman Alcester Heritage Centre Globe House, Priory Rd. Open: Thu, Fri, Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 1.30-4pm; Bank Holiday Mon 1.30-4pm. School & group visits at other times. Admission free. Contact 766084. Ragley Hall Arrow, Alcester. Park & gardens open 10am-5pm, house & state rooms 124pm. Contact 762090. www.ragleyhall.com

CONTACTS

Coughton Court Coughton, Alcester. One of England's finest Tudor houses. For opening times: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ coughtoncourt or call 400777 opt 2.

INFORMATION

Library Priory Rd. Open: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm; Mon & Wed 2-7pm; Thu & Fri 2-5.30pm; Sat 9.30am-12.30pm. Contact 762430. Citizens’ Advice Bureau Globe House, Priory Rd. Open: Tue 10am1pm - (appointments only - tel 261966). Telephone advice Mon-Wed & Fri 10am4pm 293299. South Warwickshire Credit Union Holds outreach at Globe House. Contact 261505. www.southwarwickshire creditunion.co.uk Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon (VASA). Arden St, Stratford. Provides information about volunteering, supports voluntary groups and provides services such as the Volunteer Transport Service and wheelchair loan. Outreach at Globe House open Mon-Fri 9-12noon. Contact 298115.

BUSINESS

Minerva Mill Innovation Centre Station Rd, Alcester. Variety of business space options for new and established businesses. Contact 400446. www.minervamill.co.uk Business Link Information & advice on running a business. Contact 0845 113 1234. Chamber of Trade & Commerce Contact Carl Buxton 765948. www.alcesterchamber.co.uk

REGULAR EVENTS

Country Market Local crafts, plants, cakes, preserves & produce market held Fri 8.30am-12pm at 37 High Street; and on 2nd & 4th Sat 9-1pm. Contact Susan Kinnersley 762554. Alcester Folk Festival Usually on 3rd full weekend of June, Fri-Sun. Concerts, morris dancing, story telling, singing, etc. Fundraiser minifestival in Feb. Contact Marj 07788 536605. www.alcesterfolkfestival.org Street Market Held on High St usually on a Sun in June (to be decided by High Bailiff).

31 Flower & Vegetable Show Joint Horticultural Society and Gardening Club event. Usually takes place 1st Sat in Sept at Scout & Guide HQ, Moorfield Rd. Contact Sue Goode 765061. Mop Fair Funfair in town centre, 1st Tue of Oct. Alcester & Forest of Arden Food Festival Held on a Saturday in May. Contact Patricia Hill 07971 138093. www.alcesterfoodfestival.org.uk Alcester Garden Walkabout Chance to visit gardens in town centre not usually open to the public. Normally first Sun in June (2nd Sun June 2011). Contact Norman Barker 764756. St Nicholas Night Takes place on 6th December. Lighting of tree at St Nicholas Church, Christmas market, Compline service in church. Contact Andrew Mitchell 07866 766140. Christingle Service Raises money for the Children's Society. Takes place usually 2 weeks before Christmas at Arrow Church Contact Valerie Huckell 764190.

MEDIA

Daily newspapers • Birmingham Post & Mail 0121 236 3366. Weekly newspapers • Alcester Standard 01527 588688. • Alcester Chronicle (weekly) 01527 453500. • Stratford upon Avon Herald 266261. Radio BBC WM Radio 08453 009956. Magazines • The Bear Flag Magazine (writers’ magazine). Contact Jonathan “Bill” Bayley 762841. • Warwickshire Life 01527 831733. Web • www.alcester.co.uk

EDUCATION

For pre-school, contact Warwickshire Family Information Service 0845 090 8044. Primary (in and around Alcester) • St Nicholas’ Primary School St Faith’s Road. 762578. •Dunnington CofE Primary School, Dunnington 772200. • Great Alne Primary School, School Rd, Great Alne 488247.

•Haselor School, Haselor 488211. • Temple Grafton CofE Primary School, Temple Grafton 772384. • Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School St Faith’s Rd. 762555. • Bidford-on-Avon CofE Primary School, Bramley Way, Bidford 773201.

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Secondary • Alcester High School Technology College, Gerard Rd. 762285. www.alcesteracademy.org.uk • Alcester Grammar School Birmingham Rd. 762494. www.alcestergs.co.uk • St Benedict’s Catholic High School Kinwarton Rd 762888. www.stbenedictshigh.org.uk

Alcester Art for All Mixed ability painting. Meets Mon 1-3pm at the Greig. Contact Peter Grant 01527 853505. alcesterartforall.co.uk

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Anglican Rector: Canon Revd David Capron 764261. www.stnicholasalcester.org.uk • St Nicholas, Butter St. Services: Sun 8am, 11am; 1st Sun (Easter to Harvest) 6pm in one of Minster churches; Tue 7pm; Wed 10am. • Holy Trinity, Arrow. Service: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sun 9.30am. • St Mary the Virgin, Kinwarton. Services: 2nd Sun 6pm, 3rd & 4th Sun 9.30am. Baptist Church secretary: 400315. www.alcesterbaptist.org.uk • Alcester Baptist Church, Church St. Service: Sun 10.30am. Free Methodist Pastor: Revd Simon Hodges 764928. • Renewal Christian Centre: meets at the Greig Hall. Services: Sun 6pm. Methodist Minister: Revd Julia Pellett 01527 541885. • Alcester Methodist Church, Priory Rd Services: Sun 10.30am. Service in Jubilee Court 6pm last Sun in month. Roman Catholic Priest: Father Richard Jones 762573. www.catholicalcester.org.uk • Our Lady & St Joseph, Priory Road. Mass: Sun 8.30am, 10.30am. Confession: Sat 10.30-11am. • Coughton Church, Coughton Court. Mass: 6pm. Jehovah’s Witnesses • Kingdom Hall, Station Rd.

ARTS

Junior Drama Club and Youth Theatre For ages 8-16. Rehearses at The Greig Mon 6-8pm, Sept-Feb. Contact Julie Styles 765635. Rutleigh/Norris Ballet School For ages 4-18. Classes Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat. Contact Edwina Norris 766884. Alcester Musical Theatre Company Open to all aged 16 and over. Meets Thu 7.30 at The Greig. At least 2 shows a year. Contact Cynthia Hill 763446. www.whats-on-theatre.co.uk Alcester Singers Mixed choir, classical repertoire. Meets Thu 7.30pm at St Nicholas’ School, St Faiths Rd. Contact John Gittus 766328. Alcester Victoria Silver Band Practices Mon 7.30pm at Catholic Church Hall, Priory Rd. New members welcome. Contact Sue Bates 488446. www.avsb.co.uk Tarantara Mixed choir. Auditions. Meets Thu 7.30pm in Arrow Village Hall. Contact Kath Vose 772884. Male Voice Choir Meets Mon 8pm & Wed 7.30pm at the Baptist Church. Performs about once every month. New members welcome. Contact Tony Bradley (sec) 763050. St Nicholas Church Choir Practices Tue, juniors 6.45pm, seniors 7.30pm, at the Church. Sings for Eucharist, Church Festivals and by request at weddings and funerals. Contact Elizabeth Humphrey 400579. The White Hart Morris Men Dance traditional Cotswold Morris. Meet Mon 8pm at Holly Bush, Henley St. Contact Tom Neale 07900 320817.

CARING GROUPS

British Heart Foundation (Friends) Organises collections, etc. Volunteers needed. Contact Christine Pugh 766707.

32 Alcester Club for the Blind and Partially Sighted Meets alternate Thu 2-4pm at Jubilee Court, Lea Close. Entertainers, afternoon tea, pub lunches, trips. Contact Ruth Dutton 763827. Arrow Action Social group and meeting place for those with learning disabilities. Meets Thu 7-9pm at the Greig Hall. Contact Judy Appleby 01527 893684. Children’s Society Works on behalf of disadvantaged children. Local collections organised and bequests handled. Contact Valerie Huckell 764190. League of Friends of Alcester Hospital Raises funds for patient facilities. Awaiting the redevelopment of the hospital site. Contact Hilary Turner 762180. Royal British Legion (Alcester) Activities organised throughout year. Supports former members of the armed forces and their families. Contact David Malin 763113. British Red Cross First aid training takes place Tue 8pm at Globe House. New members welcome, ages 16+. Contact Pat Kenneth 763624. Volunteers also required for the shop on High St. Contact 762 441.

CHURCH GROUPS

Alcester Quiet Garden Located behind the Baptist Church, Church St. Garden opened for reflection and fellowship, 2nd & 4th Tue 2.30-4pm (Apr-Sept). Occasional Invited speakers on biblical theme. Contact Brenda Kirkman 778669. Alcester Churches Together Forum for Alcester’s churches. Organises Easter Parade, children’s holiday club. Contact Tim Steel 488360. St Nicholas’ Church Bellringers Practice Thu 7.30pm, service ringing Sun 10.15am at St Nicholas’ Church. Contact Eric Payne 762577.

CIVIC/HISTORICAL

Alcester & District Local History Society Meets 2nd Wed in month 8pm at St Benedict's School. Contact Norman Barker 764756. www.alcesterhistory.org.uk

Alcester Heritage Trust Runs Roman Alcester Heritage Centre. Contract Trevor Wraight 763279. Alcester-Vallet Twinning Association Promotes cultural understanding and visits between the communities of Alcester and Vallet (near Nantes, France) since 1977. Membership open to anyone connected with the Alcester area, through home, school or work. Contact Eric Williams 765877. Civic Society Seeks to preserve and enhance all that is best in the amenities, building and traditions of the town and environs. Meets 8pm January, March, May, September and November in the Community Room at St. Benedict's School. A trip is normally organised for the summer months. New members and visitors welcome. Details of the programme can be found on Facebook. Contact Trevor Wraight 763279. Court Leet Has a ceremonial role and pursues complaints on behalf of Alcester residents. Holds an annual court meeting, open to the public, on the Thu following 1st Tue in Oct. The Officers are elected for a year term by the Jurors, men who are freeholders, leaseholders or residents of the Manor of Alcester. Also organises events for the benefit of the community. Contact John Hill (Steward) 763446. www.alcestercourtleet.co.uk

ENVIRONMENTAL

Horticultural Society Owns School Road allotments and organises the annual flower show in Sept. Contact Dave Homans 763591. 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. Contact Maggie Payne 762577. www.alcesterinbloom.org.uk 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. Contact Stephen or Rita Godfrey 765536. www.alcester-nature.org.uk

HOBBIES

Bridge Club Duplicate Bridge. Meets Fri 7.15pm at Unionist Club, High St. Contact Jean Underwood 01527 544829. Flower Club Flower arrangement demonstrations. Visitors welcome. Meets 1st Mon (except Aug) 7.30pm in the Greig Hall. Contact Wendy Beesley 762865. Gardening Club Meets 1st Thu in month 7.30pm at Jubilee Court Community Centre. Guest speakers & trips. Contact Hilary Morgan (Sec) 765105. 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 Greig Hall. Contact Annette Mutton 01527 853254.

POLITICAL PARTIES

• Conservatives - Constituency Office 292723. • Greens - Janet Alty 01926 427773. • Labour - Jeff Kenner 01608 685637. • Liberal Democrats - Dr Susan Juned 762751.

SOCIAL

41 Club For ex-round-tablers. Usually meets 3rd Thu 7.30pm for 8pm at the Hollybush. Contact Graham Roden 01564 793300. Round Table Meets 2nd and 4th Wed 7.30 for 8pm at the Hollybush, Henley St. Contact Nigel Peace 266079. Alcester Alauna Rotary Club Meets Thu 7.15am for 7.30am at the King’s Court Hotel, Kings Coughton. Contact the King's Court 763111. WRVS Lunch Club For over-60s. Meets Tue & Thu 12.30pm at, Malt Mill Lane Lounge. To book a place, contact Anne Gough 762307. Alcester & District Lions Club Meet Tue 8pm at the Fire Station, Seggs Lane. Contact Mike Goode 765061. Darby & Joan Club (Alcester) Over-50s welcome. Meets Wed 2pm at Jubilee Court. Contact Mary Spires 763494.

SPORT

Alcester Trades & Labour Angling Club Fishing on stretch of the Arrow. Meets 8pm on Fri prior to match. ‘Scramble’ (open to all) 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. Contact Bobby Dean 7641567. 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. Contact Dave Strain 764625. Alcester Angling Association Contact Mark Russell 01527 403372. Alcester Badminton Club Mixed, ladies and men's teams. Meets Mon 7.30-10pm at Alcester Grammar School. Youth programme 7-8pm. Contact Peter Alexander 07515 352034. www.alcesterbadminton.co.uk Tuesday Friends’ Badminton Club All ages welcome. Meets Tue 10am12noon at The Greig. Contact Janice Hoy 01527 854902. Wednesday Night Badminton Meets Wed 8.30-10.30pm at the Greig. Contact Richard Taylor 762346. Alcester Bowls Club Ground: Meeting Lane. League Bowling on Wed & Thu night, Fri & Sun morning. For coaching, please enquire. Contact Jean Bannister (Sec) 762910. Alcester Short Mat Bowls Club Meets Thu 2-4pm at the Greig Hall. Contact George Kenneth 763624. Alcester & Ragley Park Cricket Club Ground: Ragley Park, Arrow. Currently also the home of Warwickshire County disability side; also hosts the home games of some of the Warwickshire County junior side. Contact Clare Shaw (sec) 766080. www.arpcc.org.uk Alcester Town Football Club Ground: Stratford Rd. An FA Charter Standard Club recognised as offering a secure environment in which children can play football. Runs over 20 sides ranging from under-6s and girls teams to adults and veterans. Links with disabled football providers. Contact Dave Taylor (chairman) 766944.

Alcester Rugby Football Club Ground: Birmingham Road, Kings Coughton. Seniors, ladies, juniors, minis. Contact 764061. www.alcesterrfc.co.uk Tennis Club Courts: Moorfield Rd. Contact Ann Mattocks 762882. Ladies Volleyball Club Trains Thu 7.30-8.30pm at Alcester Grammar School. New members welcome. Coach on hand for training. Contact Tori Rushton 07862 733642.

WOMEN

Conservative Ladies Luncheon Club Meets 2nd Thu 12.15 for 12.45pm at King’s Court, Kings Coughton. Contact Helen Winder 400679. Conservative Wives Group Meets 3rd Thu 8pm in members’ homes. Invited speakers. Contact Thelma Woolerton 765265. Catholic Women’s League Meets 3rd Tue 2.30pm at Our Lady’s School, St Faith’s Rd. Contact Margaret Parker 762021. Church Women’s Guild Tidies St Nicholas’ Church and arranges flowers, raises money for restoration. Contact Sylvia Palmer 764977. Inner Wheel Club For wives of Rotarians. Meets 3rd Tue 7.30pm at the Moat House, Kings Coughton. Contact Elizabeth Hartley 400722. 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. Contact Marian Buchanan 400868. Tangent Group for the wives of ex-roundtablers. Meets approximately once a month, various venues. Contact Eli Evans 765292. Merry Wives of Alcester Invited speakers. Meet alternative Tue 8pm in the Methodist Hall. Programme in Library. Contact Angie Gibson 764335. Mothers’ Union Meets 1st Thu 7.30pm in the Town Hall. Contact Marie Simmonds 07817 431955.

Alcester Women’s Institute Meets 2nd Thu 7.30pm at the Greig Hall. Contact Pauline Vining 763129. Great Alne & Kinwarton Women’s Institute Meets 2nd Tue 7.30pm in Great Alne Memorial Hall. Contact Zanny Cooper 762404.

YOUTH

Alcester Youth Project Raises funds to help youth projects in the town. Contact Jonathan “Bill” Bayley 762041. Doughnut Club Activities & bible study for ages 11+. Takes place Sun 9.30am at St Nicholas’ School, St Faith's Rd. Contact Doug Reah 764191. Guiding UK Meet at new Guide & Scout HQ, Moorfield Rd. Contact Hilary Capron 764261. Scouts Meet at Guide & Scout HQ, Moorfield Rd. Beavers (age 6-8: 1st group Mon 5.30-6.30pm, 2nd group Tue 6-7pm; Cubs (age 7½-10½): 1st group Tue 7-8.30pm, 2nd group Wed 7-8.30pm; Scouts (age 10½-15): Thu 7-9pm; Explorer Scouts (age 14½-18): Thu 7-9.30pm. Contact Mike Dean 07920 484838. Young Firefighters For ages 11-17. Activities and projects in a fire service setting. Drill night Mon 7-9pm at Fire Station, Seggs Lane. Contact David Vale 07986 466278. If you are involved in a community group in Alcester and would like to add to or amend the information in this list, please contact Heritage Guides on 01446 405298 or e-mail info@heritage-guides.com. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data in this section, the publishers and promoters cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. You are advised to check details directly with the organisations and groups concerned. Organisations are included in the above categories for ease of reference. Inclusion within one category or the other does not imply incompatibility with any of the categories listed. Organisations are listed in this section in good faith, but inclusion within this section does not imply any endorsement by Alcester Town Council or Heritage Guides of the organisation concerned, nor can these bodies be held responsible for any of the organisations’ failure to comply with legal or professional requirements.

SPORT / YOUTH

LASTING LEGACY

FIT HOME FOR YOUTH

Multi-use games area, Conway Fields

he name of Greig is closely linked with Alcester through the community hall of that name and the associated leisure centre, both of which are run by an independent charity trust rather than the District Council. They owe their existence to the philanthropist David Greig (1865-1952) who 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 Second World War, he established an egg packing business in Alcester, and packed eggs produced in local farms. 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. Though much loved as a venue for local clubs and societies, the community hall is now badly in need of refurbishment and does not make efficient use of the land which it covers. In order to be able to fund a new, up-to-date facility, the trust has put forward proposals to sell part of the land for housing. Talks are ongoing.

hen one door closes, another opens - this could well be said of Alcester. County councils across the country have pared down their youth services, but in Alcester youth provision has never been healthier. The requirement for better facilities for young people was identified in Vision for Alcester’s 2020 report in 2008. A joint application by community organizations and young people in Alcester then secured a £100,000 grant in 2010 from the Norton Foundation, an educational charity operating in Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire. The grant was a major achievement - the charity only makes one award of this size every five years. Another £75,000 was secured from the Youth Opportunity Fund. With the money, the town council’s community centre on Conway Fields, the Pavilion, has been expanded

out of all recognition to include specifically youth oriented facilities as well as those for the community as a whole. The improvement in youth facilities also includes a new multi-use games area next to the Pavilion and children’s play equipment on Conway Fields with funding provided by Natural Play. The success of these facilities is, however, dependent on what politicians in recent years have dubbed “the Big Society”. Alcester needs more figures like resident Jonathan ‘Bill’ Bayley, a retired teacher who continues to work tirelessly organising youth activities in the town. In the meantime, Alcester Town Football Club, which runs an extensive youth football programme, opened a new ground and pitch complex on Stratford Road in 2011 after receiving a grant of £6,000 from Warwickshire County Council.

FAMOUS NAMES

FIGURES FROM THE PAST

he quiet town of Alcester has been home to a number of important historical figures. Here are just two who left their mark on the world. The 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 (1554-1628) (pictured above), 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. Frederick George Jackson (1860-1938) (pictured 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 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 began exploring tropical Africa.

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS Page location of advertisement indicated in blue box 3 Riverside Grooming ACCOMMODATION Holland Close, Bidford B50 4JJ. Tel 01789 Arrow Mill Hotel & Restaurant 22 773615. riversidegrooming.co.uk Arrow, Alcester B49 5NL. Tel 01789 BEAUTY 762419. www.arrowmill.com 2 The Attic 15 Dorset House 3 Market Pl, Alcester B49 5AL. Tel 01789 Church Street, Alcester B49 5AJ. Tel 764734. www.theatticalcester.co.uk 01789 762856. 24 Forever Living Products dorsethouseaccommodation.co.uk Tel 0781 474 1891. www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk

ANIMALS

3 West Grove Cattery West Grove House, Haselor Hill, Alcester B49 6ND. Tel 01789 763133. www.westgrovecatteryalcester.co.uk

BOAT HIRE

3 Bidford Boat Services Boatyard Drive, Holland Close, Bidfordon-Avon B50 4JJ. Tel 01789 772124. www.bidfordboats.co.uk

BUSINESS UNITS

Inside back Minerva Mill Station Road, Alcester B49 6QL. Tel 01789 400446. www.minervamill.co.uk

BUTCHERS

6 Wilkes Butchers 1a Hopkins Precinct, Alcester B49 6AA. Tel 01789 762607.

CAR SALES/SERVICING

13 Arrow Car Sales Arden Business Centre, Arden Road, Alcester B49 6HN. Tel 01789 400848. www.arrowcarsalesltd.co.uk

BUSINESSES

36 13 David Lees Motor Engineers Units 13-15 Tything Road Estate, Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester B49 6ES. Tel 01789 764851. www.vwaudispecialist.co.uk

CARAVANS

28 Broad Lane Leisure Ltd A435 Birmiham Road, King's Coughton B49 5QD. Tel 01789 763432. www.broadlane.co.uk

CARDS/GIFTS

2 Girl Friday & Sweet Things 31 High Street, Alcester B49 5AF. 01789 762922. 1 Mooch 9 High Street. Alcester B49 5AE. Tel 01789 765494.

CIDER

23 Hogan's Cider North Lodge Barn, Haselor B49 6LX. Tel 01789 488433. www.hoganscider.co.uk

CLOTHING

7 National Schoolwear Centre 3-4 Bulls Head Yard, Alcester B49 5BX. Tel 01789 400344.

COMPUTERS

6 Tapcast Computer Services Russet House, Inkberrow WR7 4JA. Tel 01386 792196. www.tapcast.co.uk

DANCE/BALLET

15 Rutleigh Norris Ballet School 72 Throckmorton Road, Alcester B49 6QJ. Tel 01789 766884. www.ballet.uk.com

ESTATE AGENTS

Inside front Steven Woodley 49 High Street, Alcester B49 5AF. Tel 01789 764768. www.stevenwoodley.co.uk

FABRICS/KNITTING

14 Material Girls 4 Market Place, Alcester B49 5AE. Tel 01789 400747. www.materialgirlz.co.uk

FUNERALS

8 Hemming and Peace 67 High Street, Alcester B49 5AF. Tel 01789 766750. www.hemmingandpeace.co.uk 17 A Dyer & Sons 23 Alcester Road, Studley B50 7AG. Tel 01527 8526213.

FURNITURE

4 Eldridges 4 Arden Road Business Centre, Arden Road, Alcester B49 6HW. Tel 01789 766502. www.eldridgesfurniture.co.uk www.eldridgesfurniture.co.uk

GROCERIES

6 Simply Fresh 57 High Street, Alcester B49 5AE. Tel 01789 766768.

HAIRDRESSING

2 Stylish Corner 1 Church Street, Alcester B49 5AJ. Tel 01789 763052. 24 Mavericks 5 Evesham Street, Alcester B49 5DS. Tel 01789 766222. www.maverickshair.co.uk 7 Alan James Purvis 8 Market Place, Alcester B49 5AE. Tel 01789 764688.

HEATING & PLUMBING

13 Flush Heating & Plumbing 8 Mill Close, Broom B50 4HT. Tel 07827 240273. www.flushheatingandplumbing.co.uk

HEALTH & FITNESS

16 Alcester Chiropractic Clinic The Greig, Kinwarton Road, Alcester B49 6AD. Tel 077696 78863. www.alcesterchiropractic.co.uk Choices Weight Loss Coaching 24 22 Ebsdorf Close, Bidford-on-Avon, Alcester B50 4FQ. Tel 01789 416916.

LOCKS/SECURITY

14 Alan Benjamin Locks 'Bonny Green Garters', Temple Grafton B49 6NX. Tel 01789 772464. www.alanbenjaminlocksalcester.co.uk

MAGIC

17 The Whispering Witch 33 Henley Street, Alcester B49 5QX. Tel 01789 763490. whisperingwitch.co.uk

PHARMACY

6 Hopkins Pharmacy Hopkins Precint, Kinwarton Road, Alcester B49 6AA. Tel 01789 762634.

PRE-SCHOOL CARE

15 Scallywags Baptist Church Hall, Church St, Alcester B49 5AJ. Tel 01789 764538. www.scallywagspreschool.co.uk 14 The Old School Nursery 88 Sambourne Lane, Coughton B49 5HS. Tel 01789 766040. www.oldschoolnursery.co.uk The Willow Tree Nursery School 14 Bidford on Avon Primary School, Bramley Way, Bidford B50 4QG. Tel 01789 773041. www.thewillowtreenursery.

PRINT & DESIGN

16 Bloomfield Print & Design Unit 7b Waterloo Industrial Estate, Waterloo Rd, Bidford-on-Avon B50 4JH. Tel 01789 490528. www.bloomfieldprinters.co.uk

PUBS

Inside front Dog & Partridge Bleachfield Street, Alcester B49 5BB. 01789 762421. 23 The Golden Cross Wixford Road, Ardens Grafton B50 4LG. Tel 01789 772420. www.thegoldencross.net

REMOVALS/TRANSPORT

3 S&D Enterprises 12 School Road, Great Alne, B49 6HQ. Tel 01789 488446. sanddenterprises.co.uk

RESTAURANTS

22 Arrow Mill Arrow B49 5NL. Tel 01789 762419. www.arrowmill.com 7 The Moat Bimingham Road, Kings Coughton B49 5QF. Tel 01789 762984. www.moathouseinn.co.uk 23 The Golden Cross Wixford Road, Ardens Grafton B50 4LG. Tel 01789 772420. www.thegoldencross.net

SCHOOL/COLLEGE

Inside back Alcester Academy Gerard Road, Alcester B49 6QQ. Tel 01789 782285. www.alcesteracademy.org.uk

SPORTS

Outside back The Greig Kinwarton Road, Alcester B49 6AD. Tel 01789 400073. www.thegreig.co.uk 22 Broom Swim School The Grange, Mill Lane, Broom, Alcester B50 4HS. Tel 01789 772249.

TOURISM

22 Coughton Court Coughton B49 5JA. Tel 01789 400777. www.coughtoncourt.co.uk 23 Ragley Hall Arrow, Alcester B49 5NJ. Tel 01789 762090. www.ragleyhall.com

TREE SURGEONS

1 Roots to Shoots 6 Old Stratford Road, Oversley Green , Alcester B49 6PG. Tel 01789 763081 / 07778 575093. www.rootstoshoots.net

UTILITIES

Utility Warehouse Discount Club 24 Tel 0781 474 1891. www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk

Alcester Academy is a fully inclusive school set in a wonderful Warwickshire environment. Formerly known as Alcester High School Technology College, the Academy’s staff and Governing Body aim to provide students with the most up to date and innovative learning experience possible in order to prepare them for future success. The Academy has successfully enjoyed a trend of increasing exam results over the last three years. “Our shared vision is to be the best that we can be and our improving exam results are a part of this. At Alcester Academy education is more than just exam results; it’s about enjoyment and involvement and we want young people to leave us feeling confident that they will make a positive contribution to society. The staff team give that little bit extra to nurture and encourage our students.” (Head Teacher Jane Brooks) For further details or to arrange a visit during the day, please contact us: Alcester Academy, Gerard Road, Alcester B49 6QQ

Tel: 01789 762285 Fax: 01789 400095 www.alcesteracademy.org.uk

A Minerva Mill Innovation Centre, n

Station Road, Alcester B49 5ET

T 01789 400446 n E info@minervamill.co.uk n F 01789 400447 n W www.minervamill.co.uk n

The home for your business, whatever its size n Offices/workshops/warehousing

n Secretarial services

n Flexible leases

n Virtual offices

n Shared office space options

n Mailbox

n Hot desk facility

n Bespoke telephone answering

n Meeting & conference room hire

n Serviced business lounge

Remember what you promised yourself?

A NEW YEAR

A NEW YOU

 Air conditioned, 49 station Technogym with cardio theatre  Fitness & aerobics classes  Four court indoor sports facility  Squash courts  Air conditioned dance studio with sprung floor  Therapy suite  Other multi-use rooms  Rest area with refreshments

Tel: (01789) 400073 email: info@thegreig.org.uk web: www.thegreig.org.uk Discounted memberships available from just 60p a day (Terms & Conditions apply) Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 7.00am to 10.00pm Saturday & Sunday 8.30am to 5.00pm

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