Pershore

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Pershore
latitude= 52.10780
longitude= -2.08172
population = 7,304
shire_district= Wychavon
shire_county = Worcestershire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= West Worcestershire
post_town= PERSHORE
postcode_area= WR
postcode_district= WR10
dial_code= 01386
os_grid_reference= SO945455
london_distance= 104.5mi

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.

Facilities

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.

Pershore has its own skate board park. It is situated on the Abbey Park. It consists of a mini ramp and a street section. It was built in 2006.

Education

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.

Arts

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. [http://www.vancouvermorrismen.org/pershoremorris.pdf]

port

Pershore's football club, Pershore Town F.C., belongs to the Midland Football Combination league.

Notable Residents

Pershore is also home of actress and singer Toyah Willcox and her husband Robert Fripp of rock band King Crimson. [ [http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2007/10/18/489194.html Worcester News website] ]

Pershore is the home town of Claude Choules, the last veteran to see action in both World Wars.

Twin Towns

Pershore is twinned with Bad Neustadt in Germany and Plouay in France.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.pershoreabbey.fsnet.co.uk/ Pershore Abbey]
* [http://wychavon.whub.org.uk/ Wychavon District Council] (accessed October 2005).
* [http://www.pershore.ac.uk/ Pershore group of colleges]
* [http://www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk/ Pershore high school]
* [http://www.wkcc.org.uk/ Wychavon Kayak & Canoe Club based in Pershore]
* [http://www.pershoremarket.co.uk/ Pershore Retail Market]
* [http://www.pershorevolunteers.org/ Pershore Volunteer Centre]
* [http://www.visitpershore.co.uk/ Pershore Tourist Information]
* [http://www.pershoreyouth.org.uk/ Pershore Riverside Youth Centre]