Stoke Prior, Worcestershire
| Stoke Prior | |
| Worcestershire | |
|---|---|
 Church of St Michael, Stoke Prior | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO946672 |
| Location: | 52°18’9"N, 2°5’6"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 4,559 (2001, parish) |
| Post town: | Bromsgrove |
| Postcode: | B60 |
| Dialling code: | 01527 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Bromsgrove |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Bromsgrove |
Stoke Prior is a village in Worcestershire. The parish includes the settlement of Stoke Wharf and a hamlet named Woodgate, along with neighbouring Stoke Heath.
History
In the 19th century, Stoke Prior was closely associated with the industrialist John Corbett. In 1853, after he had sold his share of the family canal business, he purchased disused salt works in Stoke Prior from the British Alkali Company. Corbett brought all the innovations of the industrial revolution to mechanise and commercialise the business, soon making his salt workings the largest in Europe and built a great fortune.
The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the 12th century.[1]
Economy
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes through the parish. In the 19th century, John Corbett turned the salt works in Stoke Prior into one of the largest in Europe. The tall chimney of the Stoke Salt Works was for many years a dominating landmark. Stoke Prior still houses the headquarters of LG Harris Ltd, a paint brush and decorators tool manufacturer (known locally as "Harris Brush" or just "The Brush").
Sports
- Football:
- Stoke Prior FC
- Stoke Prior Youth FC
Both teams play their home games at Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club.
Pictures
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Stoke Prior, Worcestershire) |
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Gate to St Michael's Church -
Harris Brush Works -
Track in the fields -
Stoke Prior Wharf
