134-627: Kidderminster is a market town and civil parish in Worcestershire , England, 20 miles (32 km) south-west of Birmingham and 12 miles (19 km) north of Worcester . Located north of the River Stour and east of the River Severn , in the 2021 census , it had a population of 57,400. The town is twinned with Husum, Germany . Situated in the far north of Worcestershire (and with its northern suburbs only 3 and 4 miles from
268-661: A grammar school established by the monastery and was re-founded by Henry VIII after the Dissolution. The Vale of Evesham School , operated by Worcestershire County Council, caters for children from the area aged 2 – 19 with special needs, and learning disabilities. Further education is provided by Evesham College, part of the Warwickshire College Group following the merger with South Worcestershire College (previously known as Evesham and Malvern Hills College) which caters mainly for students studying at
402-577: A raked 312-seat auditorium , full technical facilities and film projection and a 60-seat studio space for smaller productions. The centre's foyer it is an exhibition space for local artists. The centre was managed by the Evesham Arts Association until 2020. The Henrician Evesham is now managed by Prince Henry's Evesham Arts Theatre Trust a registered charity . The Regal Cinema reopened in December 2009. Its Grade II listed building
536-573: A "parcel of land of ten hides" to Cyneberht. This developed as the settlement of Stour-in-Usmere, which was later the subject of a territorial dispute settled by Offa of Mercia in 781, when he restored certain rights to Bishop Heathored . This allowed for the founding of a monastery or minstre in the area. The earliest written form of the name Kidderminster was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Chideminstre , meaning 'Cydda or Cydela's minster or monastery'. It
670-521: A 97-bed community hospital in Waterside, outside the town centre, used mainly by the elderly and for convalescence, although consultants from major Worcester NHS hospitals hold clinics there. The hospital maintains a Minor Injuries Unit (open from 9 am to 9 pm 7 days a week). The town has three health centres, providing general practitioner first care services, and a dental centre. Evesham also has several nursing and retirement homes for
804-631: A change at Worcester. Schools in Evesham follow the three-tier education model of first school (ages 5–10), middle school (ages 10–13), and high school (ages 13–18) adopted by Wychavon District Council 1974 and completed by 1977. Twelve first (primary) schools which include state non-denominational schools as well as Church of England Bengeworth Academy and Roman Catholic school feed four middle schools which in turn send their pupils to complete their secondary education at The De Montfort School and Prince Henry's High School which originated as
938-527: A climbing wall, a 100-station fitness room and a health & beauty salon. Football in Evesham is represented by Evesham United F.C. , who play in the Southern Football League Division One South & West. Evesham Utd also run over 20 youth teams, several girls and women’s teams, several Disability teams and a Walking Football team. In Rugby Union , there are senior and youth sections at Evesham Rugby Club. There
1072-440: A community space on the upper floor. The oldest surviving structures date from the mid-17th century. In Scotland, borough markets were held weekly from an early stage. A King's market was held at Roxburgh on a specific day from about the year 1171; a Thursday market was held at Glasgow , a Saturday market at Arbroath , and a Sunday market at Brechin . In Scotland, market towns were often distinguished by their mercat cross :
1206-514: A crossing-place on the River Thames up-river from Runnymede , where it formed an oxbow lake in the stream. Early patronage included Thomas Furnyvale, lord of Hallamshire , who established a Fair and Market in 1232. Travelers were able to meet and trade wares in relative safety for a week of "fayres" at a location inside the town walls. The reign of Henry III witnessed a spike in established market fairs. The defeat of de Montfort increased
1340-528: A crossroads or close to a river ford , for example, Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. When local railway lines were first built, market towns were given priority to ease the transport of goods. For instance, in Calderdale , West Yorkshire , several market towns close together were designated to take advantage of the new trains. The designation of Halifax , Sowerby Bridge , Hebden Bridge , and Todmorden
1474-466: A distant view of the town as seen from Greenhill, site of the battle of Evesham. More local views by George Willis-Pryce are on show in the town hall. Dating from the 1890s, they include the gateway to Market Square, the entrance to the town across Workman's Bridge, and the former Hampton Ferry across the Avon. Elsewhere there is an Avon-side painting by Edward Stott in the style of Bastien-Lepage . This
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#17327733876831608-491: A full list, see this table at Danish Misplaced Pages ). The last town to gain market rights ( Danish : købstadsprivilegier ) was Skjern in 1958. At the municipal reform of 1970 , market towns were merged with neighboring parishes, and the market towns lost their special status and privileges, though many still advertise themselves using the moniker of købstad and hold public markets on their historic market squares . The medieval right to hold markets ( German : Marktrecht )
1742-559: A good deal is known about the economic value of markets in local economies, the cultural role of market-towns has received scant scholarly attention. In Denmark, the concept of the market town ( Danish : købstad ) emerged during the Iron Age. It is not known which was the first Danish market town, but Hedeby (part of modern-day Schleswig-Holstein ) and Ribe were among the first. As of 1801, there were 74 market towns in Denmark (for
1876-591: A group of villages or an earlier urban settlement in decline, or be created as a new urban centre. Frequently, they had limited privileges compared to free royal cities . Their long-lasting feudal subordination to landowners or the church is also a crucial difference. The successors of these settlements usually have a distinguishable townscape. The absence of fortification walls, sparsely populated agglomerations, and their tight bonds with agricultural life allowed these towns to remain more vertical compared to civitates. The street-level urban structure varies depending on
2010-616: A home or dwelling, but in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire was commonly applied to land on the sides of a river, generally in bends of a river, which were liable to flood. Evesham Abbey , which became possibly the third largest in England, was founded by Saint Egwin , the third Bishop of Worcester , in around 701 AD, following the vision of the Virgin Mary to a local swineherd or shepherd named Eof . An entry in
2144-455: A local shopfront such as a bakery or alehouse, while others were casual traders who set up a stall or carried their wares around in baskets on market days. Market trade supplied for the needs of local consumers whether they were visitors or local residents. Braudel and Reynold have made a systematic study of European market towns between the 13th and 15th century. Their investigation shows that in regional districts markets were held once or twice
2278-468: A market town at Bergen in the 11th century, and it soon became the residence of many wealthy families. Import and export was to be conducted only through market towns, to allow oversight of commerce and to simplify the imposition of excise taxes and customs duties . This practice served to encourage growth in areas which had strategic significance, providing a local economic base for the construction of fortifications and sufficient population to defend
2412-490: A mobile library. The Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre is a local museum that was opened in 1957 and is funded by the council. The museum and the Tourist Information Centre are housed together in a 14th-century half timbered building that was the home of the almoner of Evesham Abbey. Exhibits include many items of local interest including an exhibition themed on the battle of Evesham. Evesham has
2546-473: A number of market towns in Saxony throughout the 11th century and did much to develop peaceful markets by granting a special 'peace' to merchants and a special and permanent 'peace' to market-places. With the rise of the territories, the ability to designate market towns was passed to the princes and dukes, as the basis of German town law . The local ordinance status of a market town ( Marktgemeinde or Markt )
2680-604: A place where the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by a ruling authority (either royal, noble, or ecclesiastical). As in the rest of the UK, the area in which the cross was situated was almost always central: either in a square; or in a broad, main street. Towns which still have regular markets include: Inverurie , St Andrews , Selkirk , Wigtown , Kelso , and Cupar . Not all still possess their mercat cross (market cross). Dutch painters of Antwerp took great interest in market places and market towns as subject matter from
2814-412: A relationship with customers and may have offered added value services, such as credit terms to reliable customers. The economy was characterised by local trading in which goods were traded across relatively short distances. Braudel reports that, in 1600, grain moved just 5–10 miles (8.0–16.1 km); cattle 40–70 miles (64–113 km); wool and woollen cloth 20–40 miles (32–64 km). However, following
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#17327733876832948-516: A riverside caravan site broke up and became wedged in its arches. In July 2007 Evesham had its heaviest rainfall for 200 years, reaching more than 320% the average in some areas. In the Severn catchment, it caused some of the heaviest floods recorded, and in Evesham the flooding was the worst in its recorded history. At the 2001 UK census , Evesham had a total population of 22,304. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. The average household size
3082-428: A small seaport or a market town prior to export. This encouraged local merchants to ensure trading went through them, which was so effective in limiting unsupervised sales ( smuggling ) that customs revenues increased from less than 30% of the total tax revenues in 1600 to more than 50% of the total taxes by 1700. Norwegian "market towns" died out and were replaced by free markets during the 19th century. After 1952, both
3216-641: A state-funded free school in 2014. Kidderminster College is located in Market Street in the town centre, having moved from older premises in Hoo Road in 2003. Other local secondary schools include The Stourport High School & VIth Form Centre and The Bewdley School . Kidderminster CC is a local cricket club at whose home ground of Chester Road North Ground Worcestershire County Cricket Club play occasional County Championship and county 2nd XI games. Formed in 1886, Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
3350-455: A successful market town attracted people, generated revenue and would pay for the town's defences. In around the 12th century, European kings began granting charters to villages allowing them to hold markets on specific days. Framlingham in Suffolk is a notable example of a market situated near a fortified building. Additionally, markets were located where transport was easiest, such as at
3484-419: A week while daily markets were common in larger cities. Over time, permanent shops began opening daily and gradually supplanted the periodic markets, while peddlers or itinerant sellers continued to fill in any gaps in distribution. The physical market was characterised by transactional exchange and bartering systems were commonplace. Shops had higher overhead costs, but were able to offer regular trading hours and
3618-582: A women's team and a junior team. Located in Kidderminster is the Severn Valley Railway a heritage railway . The Museum of Carpet , opened in 2012, showcases the town's contribution to the carpet industry. Brinton Park is an urban park to the south of the town centre, comprising 30 acres (12 ha) of land donated by John Brinton in the 1880s. Another green space is Wilden Marsh , a nature reserve covering 94 acres (38 ha) to
3752-557: Is a grade I listed building dating mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries. Another notable church is St John's Church , which is grade II listed, and dates from 1843. Other listed buildings of note in the town include the Town Hall of 1877. The Shrubbery , a 19th-century mansion, and the Kidderminster Register Office . Many of Kidderminster's historic buildings were lost from the 1960s onwards, this led to
3886-581: Is a market town and parish in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire , in the West Midlands region of England. It is located roughly equidistant between Worcester , Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon . It lies within the Vale of Evesham, an area comprising the flood plain of the River Avon , which has been renowned for market gardening . The town centre, situated within a meander of
4020-514: Is a local rugby union club, currently playing at level 7 in Counties 1 Midlands West (North) at First XV Level and Counties 4 Midlands West (South) at 2nd XV level. Regularly putting out three senior teams including veterans, the club also has a thriving Colts (U18s) age group, a developing women's team since 2021, and a large minis and juniors section. Kidderminster Hockey club was founded in 1892 and in 2010 there were five men's hockey teams,
4154-488: Is also a cricket ground . The town also has a pétanque team and a cycling club, Evesham & District Wheelers, which was founded in 1947. The town is home to various watersports, due to its location on the river, including Evesham Rowing Club, Kayaking & Canoeing provided by the Evesham Paddle Monsters club and Evesham Sailing Club. The town has two golf courses: Evesham Golf Club, which
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4288-478: Is an example of this. A number of studies have pointed to the prevalence of the periodic market in medieval towns and rural areas due to the localised nature of the economy. The marketplace was the commonly accepted location for trade, social interaction, transfer of information and gossip. A broad range of retailers congregated in market towns – peddlers, retailers, hucksters, stallholders, merchants and other types of trader. Some were professional traders who occupied
4422-701: Is no single register of modern entitlements to hold markets and fairs, although historical charters up to 1516 are listed in the Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales . William Stow's 1722 Remarks on London includes "A List of all the Market Towns in England and Wales; with the Days of the Week whereon kept". Market houses were a common feature across the island of Ireland . These often arcaded buildings performed marketplace functions, frequently with
4556-512: Is perpetuated through the law of Austria , the German state of Bavaria , and the Italian province of South Tyrol . Nevertheless, the title has no further legal significance, as it does not grant any privileges. In Hungarian, the word for market town "mezőváros" means literally "pasture town" and implies that it was unfortified town: they were architecturally distinguishable from other towns by
4690-620: Is reflected in the prefix Markt of the names of many towns in Austria and Germany , for example, Markt Berolzheim or Marktbergel . Other terms used for market towns were Flecken in northern Germany, or Freiheit and Wigbold in Westphalia . Market rights were designated as long ago as during the Carolingian Empire . Around 800, Charlemagne granted the title of a market town to Esslingen am Neckar . Conrad created
4824-463: Is situated on a horseshoe-shaped peninsula almost completely surrounded by water in a meander of the River Avon between Stratford-upon-Avon and Tewkesbury . The modern town encompasses Bengeworth and Greater and Little Hampton , which were originally independent villages on the opposite bank of the river. Evesham is linked to Bengeworth by Workman Bridge and Hampton by Abbey Bridge, or New Bridge
4958-568: Is situated outside Fladbury , and Twyford Golf Club, which is situated just outside Lenchwick . Evesham Vale Running Club hold their 10K race event annually. The Evesham Library, managed by Worcestershire Libraries & Learning division of Worcestershire County Council , is located in the town centre and was completely modernised following a closure for refurbishment in January 2011. It offers community services that include an online catalogue, Wi-Fi internet access, public internet terminals and
5092-599: Is the town's professional football club. Local rivals of the Harriers were traditionally Worcester City and Bromsgrove Rovers , and in recent years also Cheltenham Town and Hereford United . As of 2023 Cheltenham are in League One , two divisions above Kidderminster, with Hereford being the division below Kidderminster. In 2005 the Harriers were relegated to the Conference Premier after five years in
5226-652: Is titled "Feeding the Ducks" and dates from 1884, when Stott shared a cottage in North Littleton with fellow painters Walter Osborne and Nathaniel Hill . Evesham local news has been served since 1860 by the Evesham Journal , which is now part of the Newsquest (Midlands South) Ltd., a subsidiary of Gannett ; it is predominantly a weekly free newspaper that is distributed over four counties. In 2007,
5360-407: Is well documented from the 13th century. In May 1924 floods at Evesham ranked 5th in the annual flood list 1848 to 1935. In May 1998, Evesham was one of the towns worst hit by record flooding along the River Avon . The river rose 19 feet (5.8 m) in just a few hours, sinking tethered narrowboats , flooding areas of Bengeworth , and threatening the 19th-century Workman Bridge as static homes from
5494-504: The Great Domesday Book of 1086 lists Evesham, mentioning "Two free men; Two radmen; Abbey of St Mary of Evesham; Abbey of St Mary of Pershore; Edmund, Abbot of St Mary of Pershore; Walter, Abbot of St Mary of Evesham; Aethelwig, Abbot of St Mary of Evesham; King William as donor; Odo, Bishop of Bayeux; Ranulph; Turstin, Abbot of St Mary of Pershore; Walter Ponther; Westminster, Gilbert Crispin, Abbot of St Peter." The abbey
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5628-469: The 2001 United Kingdom general election , the town returned Dr Richard Taylor as an independent MP for the Wyre Forest parliamentary constituency. Taylor had fought the election to protest against the proposed reduction in services at Kidderminster Hospital . He held his seat at the 2005 election , the first independent MP to do so since 1949. Mark Garnier has held the seat of Wyre Forest since
5762-698: The 2010 election increasing his majority each time. At the 2011 census there were 55,530 residents in Kidderminster in 24,869 households, the median age of Kidderminster residents was 41. Kidderminster's population at the 2011 census was predominantly White (96.8%). The largest non-white groups were Asian at 1.7%, and mixed race at 1.2%. 67% of Kidderminster residents identified as Christian , with 24.7% stating they had no religion , and 6.6% not stating any religion. The largest non-Christian group were Muslims at 0.8%, followed by Buddhists at 0.2% and Hindus and Sikhs at 0.1% each, with others at 0.4%. Kidderminster's parish church of St Mary and All Saints'
5896-638: The Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre , which is housed in the old almonry of the abbey and also displays artefacts from excavations there. Following the Battle of Lewes a year earlier, where Simon de Montfort had gained control of parliament, the Battle of Evesham in August 1265 was the second of two main battles of the Second Barons' War . It marked the victory of Prince Edward , who led
6030-517: The Conservatives lost their majority and the council was taken over by a 'Progressive Alliance' formed of independents and councillors from other parties. However, in May 2022 Health Concern announced they would not be standing at the next election, instead favouring a unified independent offering. At the following election in 2023 the Conservatives regained majority control after a collapse in
6164-526: The Evesham Custom , still regulates market garden tenancies in the area. A decline in the second half of the 20th century resulted in the closing of Evesham's Smithfield Market while the Central Market stopped being used for produce auctions. Between 1983 and 2008, Evesham was home to computer manufacturer Evesham Micros, later renamed Evesham Technology . It was a significant contributor to
6298-594: The Football League Two division. They had reached the Football League as Conference champions in 2000, and are Worcestershire's only representative in the league. They had won the title in 1994 but were denied promotion then as their stadium did not meet Football League capacity requirements. That same year they eliminated Birmingham City from the FA Cup ; they eventually reached the fifth round of
6432-699: The Kidderminster Standard . Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC West Midlands and ITV Central . Television signals are received from the Sutton Coldfield and local relay transmitters. The Wyre was the town's first local commercial radio station; it began broadcasting on 12 September 2005 from studios in Kidderminster. Other radio stations providing local coverage are Hits Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire , Sunshine Radio and BBC Hereford & Worcester . The Wyre ceased broadcasting in 2012, and Signal 107
6566-495: The Middle Ages , a market right , which allowed it to host a regular market ; this distinguished it from a village or city . In Britain, small rural towns with a hinterland of villages are still commonly called market towns, as sometimes reflected in their names (e.g. Downham Market , Market Rasen , or Market Drayton ). Modern markets are often in special halls , but this is a relatively recent development. Historically
6700-657: The NVQ and BTEC level or undertaking practical vocational courses. The nearest higher education providers are the University of Worcester and the University of Gloucestershire . A University of the Third Age was established in 2003 and in 2010 had 600 members. It is possible that the 8th-century Anglo-Saxon Minster Church of Evesham Abbey was founded on the site of an even older church. The medieval town had two parish churches, All Saints and St Lawrence built within
6834-615: The Staffordshire and Shropshire borders respectively), the town is the main administration centre for the wider Wyre Forest District , which includes the towns of Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley , along with other outlying settlements. The land around Kidderminster may have been first populated by the Husmerae , an Anglo-Saxon tribe first mentioned in the Ismere Diploma , a document in which Ethelbald of Mercia granted
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#17327733876836968-542: The Wychavon District of the County of Worcestershire. Residents in the eight council electoral wards are represented by 24 elected members. The wards, based on streets, are represented by elected councillors: Abbey (1), Avon (2), Bengeworth (5), Fairfield (1), Great Hampton (3), Little Hampton (5), South (5), Twyford (2). The council is chaired by a mayor, and has a Town Clerk who acts as chief officer. Evesham
7102-510: The Yiddish term shtetl . Miasteczkos had a special administrative status other than that of town or city. From the time of the Norman conquest, the right to award a charter was generally seen to be a royal prerogative. However, the granting of charters was not systematically recorded until 1199. Once a charter was granted, it gave local lords the right to take tolls and also afforded
7236-428: The koopman, which described a new, emergent class of trader who dealt in goods or credit on a large scale. Paintings of every day market scenes may have been an affectionate attempt to record familiar scenes and document a world that was in danger of being lost. Paintings and drawings of market towns and market scenes Bibliography Evesham Evesham ( / ˈ iː v ( ɪ ) ʃ ə m , ˈ iː s ə m / )
7370-659: The "small seaport" and the "market town" were relegated to simple town status. Miasteczko ( lit. ' small town ' ) was a historical type of urban settlement similar to a market town in the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . After the partitions of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth at the end of the 18th-century, these settlements became widespread in the Austrian , German and Russian Empires. The vast majority of miasteczkos had significant or even predominant Jewish populations ; these are known in English under
7504-426: The 16th century. Pieter Aertsen was known as the "great painter of the market" Painters' interest in markets was due, at least in part, to the changing nature of the market system at that time. With the rise of the merchant guilds, the public began to distinguish between two types of merchant, the meerseniers which referred to local merchants including bakers, grocers, sellers of dairy products and stall-holders, and
7638-493: The 2021–2022 season led to the Harriers facing Premier League side West Ham in, as they had done in 1994. The affair ended in a 1–2 defeat, yet the game led to major economic benefit for the club, with TV money and ticket sales generating large amounts of income. Harriers further went into the Play-Offs that same season, but were eliminated in their first game to Boston United . In the 2022–2023 season, Kidderminster again reached
7772-431: The 20th century, the special rights granted to market towns mostly involved a greater autonomy in fiscal matters and control over town planning, schooling and social care. Unlike rural municipalities, the market towns were not considered part of the counties . The last town to be granted market rights was Ólafsvík in 1983 and from that point there were 24 market towns until a municipal reform in 1986 essentially abolished
7906-519: The 40 units being occupied as of May 2024. Evesham is home to several out-of-town retail parks that draw shoppers away from the centre; these include Four Pools Lane Retail Park, Evesham Shopping Park, the Sinclair Retail Park, Charity Crescent Retail Park, and The Valley. The Valley (formerly Evesham Country Park), is a large retail and leisure park located out of town with a diversity of stores, restaurants and cafés. The Vale includes
8040-463: The 8,000 strong army of his father Henry III , over the 6,000 men of de Montfort, and the beginning of the end of the rebellion. The battle was a massacre; de Montfort's army were trapped in the horseshoe bend of the river, Although Simon de Montfort and his son were killed, Prince Edward's victory was not decisive towards the King's hold on the country, and the struggle continued until 1267, after which
8174-619: The A456 at the Land Oak; and the A448 road which starts in the town and goes to Studley in Warwickshire , via Bromsgrove and Redditch . A major change in the town centre road infrastructure was the construction of the ring road in the 1970s and 1980s. This relieved the town's growing congestion but diverted traffic outside the centre, drawing off customers for businesses. The final phase of
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#17327733876838308-872: The Abbey Bridge and was completed in March 2014. The River Avon is a navigable waterway linking the River Severn at Tewkesbury to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal at Stratford-upon-Avon . The river between the town and Stratford is managed by the Upper Avon Navigation Trust and below by the Lower Avon Navigation Trust, reflecting the administration of the river since the Restoration , when
8442-516: The European age of discovery, goods were imported from afar – calico cloth from India, porcelain, silk and tea from China, spices from India and South-East Asia and tobacco, sugar, rum and coffee from the New World. The importance of local markets began to decline in the mid-16th century. Permanent shops which provided more stable trading hours began to supplant the periodic market. In addition,
8576-560: The Evesham Poor Law Union which took responsibility for the administration and funding of the Poor Law , and built a workhouse for that area. Evesham Borough Council, which was based at Evesham Town Hall , administered the town until 1974 when Wychavon District Council became the local authority. Evesham is now a town and civil parish governed at the lowest tier of local government by Evesham Town Council, part of
8710-448: The Evesham Vale Light Railway miniature railway . In 1728, the London to Worcester road through Evesham was turnpiked , as was the Evesham to Alcester road in 1778, improving communications in the area. Evesham is at the junction of the A46 and A44 trunk roads – the 4-mile (6 km) £7 million, A46 single-carriageway bypass to the east of the town opened in July 1987 as the A435. Work began in September 2013 to replace
8844-433: The Lichfield Bell Tower. The abbey remains are a Scheduled Ancient Monument (No. WT253), and parts of the abbey complex, Abbot Reginald's Wall (registered monument) and the ruins of Abbot Chryton's Wall (Grade II), are English Heritage listed buildings . The abbey's coat of arms is used as the crest of Prince Henry's High School . Two surviving buildings with links to the abbey are the Middle Littleton Tythe Barn and
8978-399: The Play-Offs, achieving the feat on the last game of the season after an excellent late run of league form. Harriers beat Alfreton , Kings Lynn and finally Brackley in the Play-Offs and regained promotion to the National League . The Kidderminster & District League has operated since 1984 and draws teams from Worcestershire and South Staffordshire . Kidderminster Carolians RFC
9112-417: The United Kingdom's domestic computer and digital television market. At its peak, the company employed up to 300 people with a chain of 19 retail stores in towns and cities throughout the UK. It went into liquidation in 2008. Evesham's town centre provides a number of food outlets and some retail along its traditional high street and the Riverside Shopping Centre, though the latter is struggling with only 9 of
9246-427: The Wizard of Evesham , takes place largely in Evesham, and two of the main characters visit the local sights, with descriptions. Local folklore is provided for by the Legend of Evesham surrounding the life of Eof, an 8th-century swineherd credited with the founding of the town, and St Egwin the Bishop of Worcester who founded the abbey and who whose feet had been fettered and the key thrown in the River Avon. According to
9380-457: The abbey precinct. Religious establishments in Evesham include All Saints Church, Evesham Baptist Church, Evesham Evangelical Church, Evesham Methodist Church, St Andrew's C of E Church, St Mary & Saint Egwin 's Church, St Peter's Church, Vale Of Evesham Christian Centre, the Unitarian Chapel in Oat Street and a Quaker meeting place. Evesham had a distinctive dialect, which locals called "Asum Grammar", or "Asum Grammer". The editor of
9514-410: The architectural interest in a town otherwise uncommonly lacking in visual pleasures." Two railway stations in the town share the same approach road and are located less than fifty metres apart. The main National Rail station, operated by West Midlands Trains , is Kidderminster , from where trains run to Birmingham , Worcester and London. The other station, Kidderminster Town , is the terminus of
9648-549: The area. It also served to restrict Hanseatic League merchants from trading in areas other than those designated. Norway included a subordinate category to the market town, the "small seaport" ( Norwegian lossested or ladested ), which was a port or harbor with a monopoly to import and export goods and materials in both the port and a surrounding outlying district. Typically, these were locations for exporting timber, and importing grain and goods. Local farm goods and timber sales were all required to pass through merchants at either
9782-495: The benefits of skilled artisans, merchants and manufacturers to Britain. They contributed to a preexisting but basic cloth weaving industry in towns and cities throughout England, in some cases establishing new businesses. In Worcestershire, the Huguenots established themselves at Worcester, Evesham , Droitwich and Kidderminster. In the early 18th century, carpet weaving was introduced to Kidderminster, and this rapidly became
9916-587: The competition (just missing the quarter-finals), where they hosted Premier League side West Ham United , narrowly losing 0–1. Prior to Lincoln City's run in the competition in 2017, Harriers were the last non-league side to reach round five of the FA Cup. Harriers were relegated to the National League North in 2016. In recent years, Kidderminster have seen some success under manager and former Harriers player Russell Penn . A strong FA Cup run in
10050-519: The concept. Many of the existing market towns would continue to be named kaupstaður even after the term lost any administrative meaning. In Norway , the medieval market town ( Norwegian : kjøpstad and kaupstad from the Old Norse kaupstaðr ) was a town which had been granted commerce privileges by the king or other authorities. The citizens in the town had a monopoly over the purchase and sale of wares, and operation of other businesses, both in
10184-521: The creation of the Kidderminster Civic Society in 1993 to promote preservation of the town's heritage. There are some former factory buildings of note in Kidderminster, which have mostly been converted to other uses. A notable one is the former Slingfield Mill, dating from 1864 to 1870, which is grade II listed, and has been converted for retail use. In the 1968 Buildings of England volume on Worcestershire, Pevsner described
10318-488: The day when the community congregated in town to attend church. Some of the more ancient markets appear to have been held in churchyards. At the time of the Norman conquest, the majority of the population made their living through agriculture and livestock farming. Most lived on their farms, situated outside towns, and the town itself supported a relatively small population of permanent residents. Farmers and their families brought their surplus produce to informal markets held on
10452-411: The dialect was already being noted, attributed at that time to standardisation of English schooling, something noted also by later writers on English dialects. The dialect continues to decline, but is stronger in older generations. More recent factors in its decline are attributed to changes in the market gardening scene, where the dialect was to be heard at its fullest, and the impact of television. In
10586-537: The early development of the cloth industry, which was aided by its position upon the River Stour, and its location at the confluence of four main roads to Birmingham , Dudley , Worcester , Bewdley and Bridgnorth . In a visit to the town sometime around 1540, King's Antiquary John Leland noted that Kidderminster "standeth most by clothing". Over the following centuries the town specialised in textile trades such as weaving, fulling, cloth working and milling, and
10720-546: The early market towns have continued operations into recent times. For instance, Northampton market received its first charter in 1189 and markets are still held in the square to this day. The National Market Traders Federation , situated in Barnsley , South Yorkshire , has around 32,000 members and close links with market traders' federations throughout Europe. According to the UK National Archives , there
10854-398: The era from which various parts of the city originate. Market towns were characterized as a transition between a village and a city, without a unified, definite city core. A high level of urban planning only marks an era starting from the 17th-18th centuries. This dating is partially related to the modernization and resettlement waves after the liberation of Ottoman Hungary . While Iceland
10988-521: The first completely structural concrete bridge in the country. The Cotswold hills stretch from the east to the south-west, while to the west the area is bounded by the Malvern Hills . To the north the land is flat with gentle undulations. The Avon, a tributary of the River Severn , is navigable but mainly used by leisure traffic and there is a marina providing moorings. The River Avon at Evesham has always been susceptible to heavy flooding which
11122-417: The grounds of their church after worship. By the 13th century, however, a movement against Sunday markets gathered momentum, and the market gradually moved to a site in town's centre and was held on a weekday. By the 15th century, towns were legally prohibited from holding markets in church-yards. Archaeological evidence suggests that Colchester is England's oldest recorded market town, dating to at least
11256-466: The independent and former Health Concern vote, one of only two council gains nationally. The area (initially as Kidderminster , then after 1983 as the Wyre Forest constituency ) has been represented by Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) Gerald Nabarro 1950–1964, Tatton Brinton 1964–1974, Esmond Bulmer 1974–1987, Anthony Coombs 1987–1997, and Labour MP David Lock 1997–2001. In
11390-649: The kingdom returned to a period of unity and progress that was to last until the early 1290s. During the battle the royal army wore the Saint George's Cross as their distinguishing mark. It is believed that the Battle was one of the first times that the cross was used to officially represent England. According to the chronicler William Rishanger , when de Montfort saw the advance of the royal troops, he exclaimed that "They have not learned that for themselves, but were taught it by me." The medieval town developed within
11524-413: The lack of town walls. Most market towns were chartered in the 14th and 15th centuries and typically developed around 13th-century villages that had preceded them. A boom in the raising of livestock may have been a trigger for the upsurge in the number of market towns during that period. Archaeological studies suggest that the ground plans of such market towns had multiple streets and could also emerge from
11658-404: The legal basis for defining a "town". For instance, Newport, Shropshire , is in the borough of Telford and Wrekin but is separate from Telford . In England, towns with such rights are usually distinguished with the additional status of borough . It is generally accepted that, in these cases, when a town was granted a market, it gained the additional autonomy conferred to separate towns. Many of
11792-583: The legend, the key turned up in Rome inside a fish. On returning to Evesham, Egwin declared that a monastery be built on the spot where the key had been cast in the river. A major landmark is the statue of Eof by the Scottish sculptor John McKenna that was funded by the townsfolk and unveiled in the market place in June 2008. The Almonry Museum has an 1825 oil painting by William Robert Earl (1806–1880) which shows
11926-519: The local town council . Failing that, the Crown can grant a licence. As the number of charters granted increased, competition between market towns also increased. In response to competitive pressures, towns invested in a reputation for quality produce, efficient market regulation and good amenities for visitors such as covered accommodation. By the thirteenth century, counties with important textile industries were investing in purpose built market halls for
12060-535: The local dialect, "Asum" is a contraction of the town's name. Asum was an ale produced by the now defunct Evesham Brewery. "Eve-shum" is the more common phonetic pronunciation, but "Eve-uh-shum" is not uncommon. The Henrician Evesham was built in 1979 and is staffed and operated by volunteers and managed by The Prince Henry's Evesham Arts Theatre Trust. It provides a venue for professional and amateur performance. Events hosted include drama, stand-up comedy, brass bands, orchestras, pantomime to ballet. The centre has
12194-558: The local newspaper quoted extracts from a fictitious dictionary of the language. In 1891, a glossary was published of words and phrases in South-East Worcestershire, comprising the district around Evesham and Pershore. This publication itself built on that of an 1882 author identified only as "Mrs Chamberlain". Prior to the 1882 book, little attention had been paid to the dialect of "the old Worcestershire folks", despite it being "interesting and peculiar". A decline in
12328-745: The lower Avon required only modest repairs, but significant investment was required above the town. The ancient Hampton Ferry links the town to Hampton . In 1845, an Act of Parliament was passed for the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway to be built; Evesham railway station was subsequently opened between Honeybourne and Pershore . The station is on the Cotswold Line from Oxford to Worcester , Great Malvern and Hereford . There are trains every 45–55 minutes to London Paddington that take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and trains to Birmingham take around 90 minutes, including
12462-464: The market. If the travel time exceeded this standard, a new market town could be established in that locale. As a result of the limit, official market towns often petitioned the monarch to close down illegal markets in other towns. These distances are still law in England today. Other markets can be held, provided they are licensed by the holder of the Royal Charter, which tends currently to be
12596-455: The markets were open-air, held in what is usually called (regardless of its actual shape) the market square or market place , sometimes centred on a market cross ( mercat cross in Scotland). They were and are typically open one or two days a week. In the modern era, the rise of permanent retail establishments reduced the need for periodic markets. The primary purpose of a market town is
12730-452: The meander of the River Avon, while Bengeworth developed to the east on the opposite bank of the river. In 1055 a market was granted to the Saxon town by King Edward. In the 11th century Leofric, Earl of Mercia , had a hunting lodge at Bengeworth. Leofric founded Holy Trinity Church with his wife Godifu ( Lady Godiva ). Godifu, who died in around 1067, is possibly buried at the abbey. During
12864-410: The people of the civil parish was 38.2. 69.9% of residents described their health as "good", similar to the average of 69.1% for the wider district. Due to its exceptionally fertile soil, market gardening is carried out on a commercial scale in the surrounding area, known as the Vale of Evesham, which is known for its production of fruit and vegetables. A distinctive form of leasehold tenure, known as
12998-666: The preserved Heritage Railway line, Severn Valley Railway , from where trains run to Bridgnorth . Several major routes run through the town, including the A456 which runs from Birmingham to just south of Woofferton , Shropshire ; the A451 which runs from Stourbridge to Abberley ; the A442 which runs from Droitwich to Hodnet , Shropshire, a few miles north of Telford ; the A449 which runs from Newport in south Wales to Stafford and crosses
13132-491: The provision of goods and services to the surrounding locality. Although market towns were known in antiquity, their number increased rapidly from the 12th century. Market towns across Europe flourished with an improved economy, a more urbanised society and the widespread introduction of a cash-based economy. Domesday Book of 1086 lists 50 markets in England. Some 2,000 new markets were established between 1200 and 1349. The burgeoning of market towns occurred across Europe around
13266-513: The purchasing habits of the monks and other individuals in medieval England, suggests that consumers of the period were relatively discerning. Purchase decisions were based on purchase criteria such as consumers' perceptions of the range, quality, and price of goods. This informed decisions about where to make their purchases. As traditional market towns developed, they featured a wide main street or central market square . These provided room for people to set up stalls and booths on market days. Often
13400-423: The reign of King Stephen , William de Beauchamp erected an adulterine castle at Bengeworth, whose occupants vied for control of the town and abbey. When Abbot William had the castle destroyed between 1149 and 1159, he consecrated the site as a graveyard to prevent the castle being rebuilt. Evesham was a borough and market town in the hundred of Blackenhurst in county of Worcestershire and after 1837 head of
13534-599: The ring road was never completed, which results in the town having a ring road that does not form a complete ring. The nearest motorway is the M5 , which signs Kidderminster from junction 3 ( Halesowen ) with the A456, and junction 6 (Worcester North) with the A449. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal passes through the town. There are direct bus links with towns including Worcester , Halesowen , Bewdley , Stourport , Bridgnorth , Bromsgrove and Redditch . The majority of
13668-540: The rise of a merchant class led to the import and exports of a broad range of goods, contributing to a reduced reliance on local produce. At the centre of this new global mercantile trade was Antwerp , which by the mid-16th century, was the largest market town in Europe. A good number of local histories of individual market towns can be found. However, more general histories of the rise of market-towns across Europe are much more difficult to locate. Clark points out that while
13802-531: The river, is subjected regularly to flooding. The 2007 floods were the most severe in recorded history . The town was founded around an 8th-century abbey , one of the largest in Europe, which was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries , with only Abbot Lichfield's Bell Tower remaining. During the 13th century, one of the two main battles of England's Second Barons' War took place near
13936-433: The sale of cloth. Specific market towns cultivated a reputation for high quality local goods. For example, London's Blackwell Hall became a centre for cloth, Bristol became associated with a particular type of cloth known as Bristol red , Stroud was known for producing fine woollen cloth, the town of Worsted became synonymous with a type of yarn; Banbury and Essex were strongly associated with cheeses. A study on
14070-574: The same time. Initially, market towns most often grew up close to fortified places, such as castles or monasteries, not only to enjoy their protection, but also because large manorial households and monasteries generated demand for goods and services. Historians term these early market towns "prescriptive market towns" in that they may not have enjoyed any official sanction such as a charter, but were accorded market town status through custom and practice if they had been in existence prior to 1199. From an early stage, kings and administrators understood that
14204-574: The sample testing of markets by Edward I the "lawgiver" , who summoned the Model Parliament in 1295 to perambulate the boundaries of forest and town. Market towns grew up at centres of local activity and were an important feature of rural life and also became important centres of social life, as some place names suggest: Market Drayton , Market Harborough , Market Rasen , Market Deeping , Market Weighton , Chipping Norton , Chipping Ongar , and Chipping Sodbury – chipping
14338-565: The services in Kidderminster are operated by Diamond West Midlands (previously First Midland Red ) while the rest is operated by Select Bus Services (297), Finesse and Yarranton Brothers. Services 291 and 292 were operated by R & B Travel prior to the company surrendering its licence in January 2020. Services 15A/C, S15, 294, 580 and 133were operated by Coniston Coaches prior to surrendering its licence in October 2020. 15A/C, S15 & 294 were passed onto Astons until 2021 and 2022. Service 297
14472-670: The south of Kidderminster. Places of interest near Kidderminster include the West Midlands Safari Park to the west of Kidderminster towards Bewdley . A few miles south of the town is Hartlebury Castle , which houses the Worcestershire County Museum . A few miles north are the Drakelow Tunnels , a former underground military complex, which has an attached museum. The local newspapers covering Kidderminster are The Shuttle . and
14606-400: The staple trade of the town. Its growth was aided by the opening of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal in 1771, and later the arrival of the railway to the town in 1852. The carpet industry went into decline in the 1970s, but still continues on a reduced scale. Poor trade conditions in 1828, when 2,000 looms were not working for an 18-week period, led to riots where £3,000 of damage
14740-466: The time of the Roman occupation of Britain's southern regions. Another ancient market town is Cirencester , which held a market in late Roman Britain. The term derived from markets and fairs first established in 13th century after the passage of Magna Carta , and the first laws towards a parlement . The Provisions of Oxford of 1258 were only possible because of the foundation of a town and university at
14874-428: The town and in the surrounding district. Norway developed market towns at a much later period than other parts of Europe. The reasons for this late development are complex but include the sparse population, lack of urbanisation, no real manufacturing industries and no cash economy. The first market town was created in 11th century Norway, to encourage businesses to concentrate around specific towns. King Olaf established
15008-533: The town as: "uncommonly devoid of visual pleasure and architectural interest." Crown House, an early 1970s office block was particularly criticised, and was once rated among the top 10 ugliest buildings in Britain. Demolition was completed in April 2020, improving the Kidderminster skyline. In the 2007 revision of this volume, Alan Brooks wrote: "the 19th century mill buildings, together with the churches, provide most of
15142-747: The town erected a market cross in the centre of the town, to obtain God's blessing on the trade. Notable examples of market crosses in England are the Chichester Cross , Malmesbury Market Cross and Devizes, Wiltshire. Market towns often featured a market hall , as well, with administrative or civic quarters on the upper floor, above a covered trading area. Market towns with smaller status include Minchinhampton , Nailsworth , and Painswick near Stroud, Gloucestershire . A "market town" may or may not have rights concerning self-government that are usually
15276-516: The town is the former Plough, which replaced an 18th century public house on the Market Place in 1936. Since then it became a bar and grill under a variety of different names and has been recently refurbished. Medieval Evesham, and the Earl of Evesham, inspired a novel Winning His Spurs by historical fiction author G. A. Henty . A more recent novel by M. C. Beaton entitled Agatha Raisin and
15410-408: The town some protection from rival markets. When a chartered market was granted for specific market days, a nearby rival market could not open on the same days. Across the boroughs of England, a network of chartered markets sprang up between the 12th and 16th centuries, giving consumers reasonable choice in the markets they preferred to patronise. Until about 1200, markets were often held on Sundays,
15544-501: The town, marking the victory of Prince Edward, who later became King Edward I ; this was the Battle of Evesham . Evesham is derived from the Old English homme or ham , and Eof , the name of a swineherd in the service of Egwin, third Bishop of Worcester . It was originally named Homme or Haum and recorded as Eveshomme in 709 and Evesham in 1086. The second part of the name ( homme or ham ) typically only signifies
15678-546: The town. In 1670–1 Kidderminster's cloth industry obtained a guild by act of parliament and by 1677, the town had as many as 459 weavers and perhaps 3,000 spinners. Following King Louis XIV 's revocation of the Edict of Nantes in October 1685 and the subsequent renewed persecution of French Protestants in France, many Huguenots emigrated to Britain. The immigration and settlement of waves of industrious Huguenots brought
15812-480: The two faces, and was popular from the 18th to early 20th centuries. By 1951 there were over thirty carpet manufacturers in the town, including, for example, Quayle & Tranter (now defunct). They commissioned such notable artists as George Bain to create their traditional Celtic designs. Aided by a 2004 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund , a museum dedicated to the Kidderminster carpet industry
15946-649: The weekly free newspaper Evesham Observer was launched by Midlands-based Observer-Standard series of newspapers, now the family-owned Bullivant Media . Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC West Midlands and ITV Central . Television signals can be received from either the Sutton Coldfield or Lark Stoke TV transmitters. BBC Hereford & Worcester broadcasts on 104 FM and 94.7, while commercial radio stations include Hits Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire on 96.7 FM and Greatest Hits Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire on 107.2 FM. The Evesham Leisure Centre comprises two swimming pools,
16080-495: Was St George's Church , on Radford Avenue. This was designed by Francis Goodwin and built in 1821–1824, finally being consecrated in April 1824. Its grant of just over £17,000.00, was the third-largest given by the commission to any church outside London. The second church was St John's Church , on the Bewdley Road. This was built in 1843 and the architect was Matthew Steele ; its grant was just over £4,000. The Shrubbery
16214-403: Was 2.3. Of those aged 16–74 in Evesham, 57.5% had no academic qualifications or one General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), above the figures for all of the Wychavon district (44.2%) and England (45.5%). According to the census, 2.4% were unemployed and 9.4% were economically inactive. 20.1% of the population were under the age of 16 and 7.7% were aged 75 and over; the mean age of
16348-460: Was a large manor held by William the Conqueror , with 16 outlying settlements (Bristitune, Fastochesfeld, Franche, Habberley, Hurcott, Mitton, Oldington, Ribbesford, Sudwale, Sutton, Teulesberge, Trimpley, Wannerton and Wribbenhall). Various spellings were in use – Kedeleministre or Kideministre (in the 12th and 13th centuries), Kyderemunstre (13th–15th centuries) – until the name of the town
16482-575: Was also home to numerous other trades including shoemaking, haberdashery, saddle making, dyers, tailors, tanners and glovers. King Charles I granted the Borough of Kidderminster a Charter in 1636. the original charter can be viewed at Kidderminster Town Hall. Kidderminster's position at the junction of several main roads made it a place of strategic importance during the English Civil War , with several skirmishes taking place in and around
16616-452: Was converted into a military headquarters towards the end of the 19th century. In 1974 the old borough of Kidderminster was abolished and merged into the new Wyre Forest District . In December 2015 Kidderminster was established as a civil parish with a new Town Council , following a public referendum. The River Stour and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal both flow through Kidderminster town centre. The modern carpet industry
16750-482: Was derived from a Saxon verb meaning "to buy". A major study carried out by the University of London found evidence for least 2,400 markets in English towns by 1516. The English system of charters established that a new market town could not be created within a certain travelling distance of an existing one. This limit was usually a day's worth of travelling (approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)) to and from
16884-429: Was designed in 1932 by architect Hurley Robinson . who was responsible for several public buildings in classical and Art Deco styles, including 55 other cinemas. The Regal is the most important surviving example. In 2009 the cinema signed a contract to show all Universal Studios films. It also serves as a community arts centre, offering a programme of music and stand-up comedy. The other public Art Deco building in
17018-533: Was done during one night. The town's local government was reformed by the Municipal Reform Act 1835 , which incorporated Kidderminster as a municipal borough . This superseded the charter of 1636, and divided the borough into three wards represented by six aldermen and eighteen councillors, the number of wards was doubled in the 1880s. The current Town Hall on Vicar Street was built in 1877. Kidderminster has two Commissioners' churches . The first
17152-480: Was founded in the area in 1785 by Brintons . The carpet industry became extremely important to the local economy, so much so that the local newspaper is still named The Shuttle after the shuttles used on the carpet looms . A type of carpet was known as Kidderminster carpet or, in the United States, Ingrain carpet : this was a reversible carpet with no pile, with the pattern showing in opposite colours on
17286-464: Was launched on 26 March 2012; it now broadcasts as Greatest Hits Radio Herefordshire and Worcestershire . The town is noted for its particularly high record lows. Despite an average July low of 11.7 °C, the temperature has never fallen below 5 °C in that month. The coldest and warmest July nights were both recorded in 2015. Market town A market town is a settlement most common in Europe that obtained by custom or royal charter, in
17420-493: Was officially opened by Lord Cobham in 2012. Kidderminster Town is a civil parish within Wyre Forest District , with Kidderminster Town Council created in the early 21st century to take on the duties of a parish council , following a referendum in May 2015. Prior to this, Charter Trustees maintained the traditions of the town and elected a Mayor. At the 2019 local elections to Wyre Forest District Council,
17554-851: Was operated by Arriva Midlands until 4 September 2023 when Select won the contract for the service. As part of educational restructuring in the Wyre Forest district , Kidderminster's schools were reorganised from a three-tier system of first, middle and high schools to the two-tier system more common in the UK as a whole, featuring primary schools and secondary schools . In this process, several first and middle schools were closed or merged into new primaries. The three high schools of King Charles I School , Wolverley C E Secondary School , and Baxter College (formerly Harry Cheshire High School) became secondary schools that included sixth forms . Independent schools include Heathfield Knoll School in Wolverley . Formerly independent, Holy Trinity School became
17688-478: Was redeveloped and extended after the Norman Conquest , employing many tradesmen and significantly contributing to the growth of Evesham. Income for the abbey came from pilgrims to the abbey to celebrate the vision and visitors to the tomb of Simon de Montfort. As a result of Henry VIII 's dissolution of the monasteries , Evesham Abbey was dismantled in 1540 and sold as building stone, leaving little but
17822-434: Was settled as Kidderminster by the 16th century. Between 1156 and 1162 Henry II granted the manor to his steward, Manasser Biset . By six decades later, the settlement grew and a fair (1228) and later a market (1240) were established there. To the south by the River Stour , dating from the 15th century, is a single surviving tower of Caldwall (or Caldwell) Castle, a fortified manor house. Kidderminster owes its growth to
17956-405: Was under Danish rule, Danish merchants held a monopoly on trade with Iceland until 1786. With the abolishment of the trading monopoly, six market town ( Icelandic kaupstaður ) were founded around the country. All of them, except for Reykjavík , would lose their market rights in 1836. New market towns would be designated by acts from Alþingi in the 19th and 20th century. In the latter half of
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