Newnham Bridge
| Newnham Bridge | |
| Worcestershire | |
|---|---|
 The Talbot Inn, Newnham Bridge | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO642694 |
| Location: | 52°19’19"N, 2°31’33"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Tenbury Wells |
| Postcode: | WR15 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Malvern Hills |
Newnham Bridge, otherwise known simply as Newnham, is a village near Knighton on Teme, near Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.
The village derives part of its name from the bridge over the River Rea. It was originally named 'Newnham', but came to be known by the name of its railway station, 'Newnham Bridge'. It on the A443 road and the junction of the A456 road between Tenbury Wells and Great Witley, in the valley of the River Teme.
History
The village formerly had a railway station, designed by William Clarke, on the Tenbury Line from Bewdley to Woofferton Junction. After the railway closed in the 1960s the station became a garden centre (which has since closed), but the platforms and buildings are still in place. The neighbouring station yard was recently developed as a housing estate and the station site bought by a housing association. The name of the station was 'Newnham Bridge' rather than 'Newnham' to avoid confusion with Newnham, Gloucestershire, which also had a Great Western station. The old name still appears in places and on maps.
The Talbot Inn closed in 2009 but reopened in 2012 after a year-long refurbishment.
The former Railway Tavern Inn, closed in the late 20th century and was almost completely demolished during the second decade of the millennium to be replaced with a development of detached houses along Tavern Lane.
Flooding
Located to the east of the confluence of the River Rea, Shropshire and River Teme, Newnham Bridge has appeared on the news during various flood events during which the River Rea overtops its banks. Despite widespread media attention the village itself is less affected by floods than is through traffic, given that the A456 on which the village sits is one of few major routes west from Birmingham.
Floods in February 2020 killed a driver here; Yvonne Booth of Birmingham was swept away at the Eastham Bridge to the south of Newnham Bridge, as the car she was in tried to traverse the swollen River Teme towards Eastham. The driver of the car was rescued by emergency services shortly after they entered the water, however Booth's body was recovered downstream at Woodston near Lindridge Church several days later.[1]
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bridge Newnham Bridge) |