Stourport-on-Severn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stourport-on-Severn, often shortened to Stourport, is a town in Worcestershire, England, a few miles to the west of Kidderminster. It lies on the River Severn, and at the time of the 2001 census had a population of 19,713.
In 2006 Stourport-on-Severn was granted Fairtrade Town status.
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[edit] History and Government
Prior to the coming of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, in 1772 it consisted of two communities, Upper and Lower Mitton at the junction of the River Severn and the River Stour. The present town grew around the canal basins and the locks between the canal and the river and for 150 years was the principal location for the trans-shipment of goods from the canal boats into the river going craft called Severn Trows.
St Michael and All Angels church was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1875 shortly before his death. Building work started in 1881 under his son, John Oldrid Scott, but was never finished and has been partly demolished to be replaced by a new church. The George Gilbert Scott church replaced an earlier brick church of 1782 by James Rose[1].
It is part of the Wyre Forest District, but has its own Town Council.
The town is in the Wyre Forest parliamentary constituency. The current MP is Dr Richard Taylor representing the Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern party.
During the late 19th century, Stourport became a popular summer destination for the workers of the West Midlands, who came for its riverside pleasure parks, boat trips, and caravan parks. Since the end of the Second World War, it has been in steady decline because of a change in public tastes. Bridge Street, High Street, York Street and New Street all consist of lovely architecture, but it is currently suffering from a lack of investment.
[edit] Famous People
- Alfred Baldwin, the father of Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister was born on 4 June 1841 in Lombard Street. He later became MP for Bewdley, owner of the foundry at the end Lombard Street which is now the site of the County Buildings containing the Library, Health Centre, Police Station and Coroners Court. He also became Chairman of the Great Western Railway.
- George Nicholson, settled in Stourport in 1808, until his death in 1825. He was a nationally known printer of the time. His printing press was at 15 Bridge Street, on the corner of Raven Street, and his premises are a listed building.
- Philip Elsmore, Thames Television's most recognizable continuity announcer, was born in Stourport.
- Clifford T. Ward, singer-songwriter, was born 1944 in Stourport.
[edit] Twin Town
The town is twinned with the commune of Villeneuve-le-Roi, France.
[edit] Sport
The local football team is Stourport Swifts F.C..
[edit] References
- ^ The Buildings of England: Worcestershire, Nikolaus Pevsner, 1968 Penguin. p271
[edit] External links
- River Stour
- The Shuttle Local weekly newspaper serving Stourport
- The River Severn
| Towns on the River Severn, UK | edit | |
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Heading downstream: Llanidloes | Newtown | Welshpool | Shrewsbury | Bridgnorth |
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| Settlements on the River Severn between Bewdley and Gloucester (heading downstream) | edit | |
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Bewdley | Stourport | Areley Kings | Worcester | Kempsey | Upton-upon-Severn | Ryall | Tewkesbury | Deerhurst | Gloucester |
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| Settlements on the River Stour between the Clent Hills and River Severn | edit | |
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Romsley | Halesowen | Cradley Heath | Lye | Stourbridge | Stourton | Kinver | Caunsall | Cookley | Wolverley| Kidderminster | Wilden | Stourport |
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| Settlements on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal between Stourton and Stourport | edit | |
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Stourton | Dunsley | Kinver | Caunsall | Cookley | Wolverley | Fairfield | Kidderminster | Wilden| Stourport |
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