Pershore
| Pershore | |
| Worcestershire | |
|---|---|
 The High Street, Pershore | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO945455 |
| Location: | 52°6’50"N, 2°4’48"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 7,304 |
| Post town: | Pershore |
| Postcode: | WR10 |
| Dialling code: | 01386 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Wychavon |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
West Worcestershire |
Pershore is a market town in Worcestershire standing on the banks of the River Avon. The town is best known for Pershore Abbey, Pershore College (now a campus of Warwickshire College), and the plums[1] and pears grown locally.
Pershore is situated on the River Avon, 6 miles west of Evesham and 6 miles east of Upton-upon-Severn in the Vale of Evesham, a district rich in fruit and vegetable production. The town lies near the A44 midway from Worcester to Evesham.
The town contains much elegant Georgian architecture. There is a main High Street with numerous independent retail and food outlets, and there are two supermarkets, one in the town and one on the outskirts.
The town has been designated as a place of major architectural importance by the Council for British Archaeology, and listed as an outstanding conservation area. Parts of the abbey, which stand in an expanse of public grassland close to the centre of the town, date from the 11th century. The current structure is far smaller than the original building, which was partially dismantled for its materials after the abbey was dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII. 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.
Arts
The town has a community arts centre, a Volunteer Centre, and a morris dance tradition.[2]
Plum Festival
The Pershore Plum Festival is held annually in August to celebrate the local tradition of growing plums including the local varieties Pershore Purple, Pershore Yellow Egg Plum and Pershore Emblem.[1] Activities include crowning the plum princess, a family fun run, plum themed art exhibition and the Plum Fayre. There is also a classic car rally and nearby Worcester Racecourse revived The Land O’Plums Chase from 72 years ago.[3]
The festival won the Best Tourism Event and Festival in the Worcestershire Welcome Awards 2011.[4]
Sport
- Football: Pershore Town FC
- Rugby: Pershore Rugby Club
- Touring Car: BTCC title-winning team, Team Dynamics, is based near Pershore.
- Kayak: Wychavon Kayak & Canoe Club is based on the river here.[5]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Pershore) |
- Pershore Abbey
- Wychavon District Council (accessed October 2005).
- Pershore Volunteer Centre
- Pershore Tourist Information
- Wychavon Kayak & Canoe Club
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 About Pershore Plums
- ↑ Pershore Morrismen,
- ↑ Pershore Plum Festival
- ↑ Best Tourism Event and Festival in the Worcestershire Welcome Awards 2011
- ↑ Wychavon Kayak & Canoe Club