11*1 



WORCESTERSHIRE. 



WORCESTERSHIRE. 



1132 



to Stourport ; or, leaving Stourport on the left, through Hartlebury 

 and Ombersley to Worcester ; and from Worcester to Malvern. There 

 are good turnpike-roads which connect the count; town with Tenbury 

 anil Bromyard, and other towns. 



The main line of the Bristol and Birmingham railway intersects this 

 county diagonally from north-east to south- west. The line runs nearly 

 parallel with the turnpike-road leading from Tewkeabury to Worcester 

 and Birmingham on the south-east. The Oxford, Worcester, and 

 Wolverhatnpton railway enters the county a abort distance east of 

 Evesham, and runs west-uorth-west to Worcester ; it then turns north- 

 ward, an>l passes by way of Droitwich, Kidderminster, and Stour- 

 bridge to Dudley, where it quits the county. A short branch from 

 Droitwich to the Stoke Works station connects it with the Bristol and 

 Birmingham line. A portion of the London and North- Western rail- 

 way likewise traverses the north-eastern extremity of the county. 

 There are some tram-roads, on which horses are worked, in tba coal 

 dutricta. 



Climate, Soil, Ayricvltwe.The climate of Worcestershire, especially 

 in the middle, south, and west of tho county, is remarkably mild and 

 healthy, and the fruits of the earth are brought to early maturity. 

 The Tales of Severn and Avon are but little raised above the level of 

 the sea ; and it ha* been observed, that on elevation of 60 yards makes 

 a difference in climate equal to a degree of latitude towards the north, 

 soil and other circumstances remaining the same. The higher part* of 

 the county, between Bromsgrove and Birmingham, have consequently 

 a later harvest. The higher hills, such as the Malvern Hills, are pro- 

 portionally colder and later. They tend to shelter the vales between 

 them from the cold wind*, and add to the mildness of the climate there. 



The Vale of Severn, which extends about 30 miles in length from 

 north to south, contain! some extremely rich alluvial soils, which 

 frurn their situation are admirably adapted for rich pastures. The 

 banks of the Avon also, which falls into the Severn near Tewkeabury, 

 are rich, and consist mostly of meadows and pastures. 



The Trmt winds through the county for about 30 miles. Along \i 

 banks art many bop-gardens and orchards, a sore proof of a good 

 deep soil, and the lower parts form rich meadows. Several lesser 

 streams run in their own valleys, the soil along their banks being gene- 

 rally good, except in a few instance* in which bogs, with their accom- 

 pany ing peat, have been formed by the stagnation of the waters. 

 Except where the higher hills rise in peaks, the surfaos is in general 

 svutly undulating. One-half of the county conaUU of rich loams and 

 olay soils. Upon the whole, few counties in England contain so much 

 good land, anil, as a consequence, fewer waste*. 



Many of the farms are small, but the average size is gradually 

 enlarging, by the union of several farms under on* tenant The system 

 of agriculture is lUadily approximating to the most improved methods, 

 with only the diflerrnos* rendered nicsasery by local peculiarities. 



The average prodno* of wheat in Worcestershire is higher than in 

 many other counties. Potatoes are raised in great abundance in this 

 county, and supply the market* of Birmingham and Staffordshire. 

 Wolverley sands have long been famous for the growth of carrot* and 

 for raising carrot-seed. Hop-yards occupy a considerable extent. Tba 

 cultivation of this plant is a perfect garden culture, chiefly by the 

 fad*. Apple orchard* are extensive, and a great deal of cider is 

 Pear orchards an common in Worcestershire. There U much 



fine timber growing in the hedgerow* : elm* predominate, and grow 

 to a Urge sue where they have room. There are also some wood* 

 and plantation* of oak* and aab, the underwood of which forms valuable 

 coppice*. 



There i* no peculiar breed of cattle in Worcestershire. The cattle are 

 chiefly obtained from Herefordshire and South Wale*. The best and 

 BXMt profitable breeds to stock the rich pasture are found to be the 

 Hereford* and Devon*, which get into excellent condition by a summer's 

 ran, and, are then finished in the stall* with hay, turnips, and oil-cake 

 in winter : very fat beast* are sent up to Smithneld and to Birmingham 

 every year from this county. 



The sheep are moetly of the Leicester breed, which suit the rich 

 pasture*. On the Malvern Hill* an some small hardy aheep, without 

 horn*, with gray face* and legs, which, when fatted at a proper age, 

 make excellent mutton. The hone* for farm-work are mostly of the 

 (trongUack breed, 



Ittnnxu, Tuicia, etc. Worcestershire i* divided into five bun- 

 Blackeahunt, Doddingtree, Halfahire, Oswaldsluw, and Per- 

 ahoiv, Upper and Lower. It contains the city of WORUUTKB, the 

 parliamentary boroughs of BxwuLET, DRUITWIUI, DUDLKT, KvtsiliM, 

 and KiDDrKHiNStEB, and the market-town* of HALES OWKN (errone- 

 ously included in the town* referred to under SIIKOIMHIHK, to which 

 county it belonged till 1844), PlRSUOBB, SmmOH-OH-ttTUOR, STUUR- 

 BRII>JB, Stourport, TBMBCBT, and Unox-OH-SivERii. All these are 

 described in separate article*, except Stourport, which we notice her*. 



Slow-port, a market-town in the hamlet of Lower Mittou and pariah 

 of Kidd/trminster, population of the hamlet 2993 in 1851, is situated 

 on the left bank of the river Stuiir, at its junction with the Severn, 

 about 10 mil X. by W. from Worcester. The street* are lighted 

 with gas, and paved. The Worcestershire and Staffordshire Canal 

 eaten the Severn at Stourport. Across the Severn is thrown a hand- 

 some iron bridge of a single arch, of 150 feet span, and 60 feet above 

 the surface of the river. There i* a ipaciou* basin, with extensive 



wharfs aud warehouses. Hops, corn, and apples are largely sold at 

 Stourport market ; great quantities of coal, from tUu Staffordshire and 

 Worcestershire collieries, ore conveyed on the canal ; and timber ia 

 dealt in to a considerable extent. Markets aiv held on Wednesday 

 and Saturday. There are fairs on March 31st, September 16th, and 

 December 18th for horned cattle, hops, &c. Petty sessions aiv h. 1,1 

 in the town. There are in Stourport a chapel of ease, a chapel for 

 Wesleyan Methodists, National schoola, and a aaviuga bank. 



The following are aome of the more important villages, with the 

 pariah populations in 1851, and a few other particulars : 



Altcchurch. population 1600, about 23 miles N.E. by N. from Wor- 

 cester, waa at one time a borough, but is now a mere village. Besides 

 the church, there are National schools and aome almahouaeg. Bel- 

 bruuyhtun, populatiou 1839, is about 6 miles N.N.W. from liroinsgrove. 

 The pariah church is a commodious aud handsome edifice, with a 

 lofty spire. There are National schools. Malting ia largely carried 

 on. A manufactory of scythes and hay-knives employs a considerable 

 number of persona. Three fairs are held in the year. Jkngcwurth, 

 [EvBBBAM.] Hlocklcy, population 2587, is about 12 milea S.k. from 

 Kvesham. In the village are the parish church, partly of Norman mil 

 partly of early English date ; a chapel for Baptists ; an Endowed Free 

 school ; and a mechanics institute. Silk-throwing employs a consider- 

 able number of hands. A fair is held on the first Tuesday alter 

 Easter for cattle, aud a hiring fair on October 10th. Numerous coins 

 and other Roman remains have been found at Blockley. liredon, 

 population 1661, is on the left bank of the river Avon, 8 miles 8. by 

 W. from Pershore. The principal manufacture is that of Blockings, 

 which are worked on frames here for the Tewkeabury manufacturers. 

 The church is a very ancient and interesting edifice, partly of Norman 

 date. There U an Endowed Blue-Coat school. In the neighbour- 

 hood are the remains of an ancient encampment of large size. Broad- 

 way, population 1629, is about 6 miles S.E. from Kvushani. The 

 house*, which are built of stone, extend in a straggling manner for 

 about a mile along both sides of the main road. Tin-re arc day schools, 

 partly supported by subscription. VhaddaUy-Curbctt, population 

 1420, about 6 miles S.E. from Kidderminster, possesses a neat church, 

 built of red freestone, of various styles, including Norman ; and au 

 endowed Free school. Malting i* carried on. There are flour-mills 

 and a worsted-mill. FcctcnJtam, populatiou 3254, about 8 milea E. 

 by S. from Droitwich, was formerly surrounded by Feekeiihaiu Forest, 

 the wood of which was cut down to supply fuel for the Droitwich 

 salt-works : it was disafforested in tlio reigu of Charles I. There are 

 here a neat pariah church, in which are several ancient monuments ; a 

 chapel for Independents ; and an Endowed school. The manufacture 

 of needles and liah-hooks employs a considerable number of persona. 

 Cattle fain are held on March 26th and September 30th. //.,',/.../. 

 population 935, ia about 6 milea N.E. from Kidderminster. The 

 pariah church has been recently enlarged. There are National schools. 

 Roman remains have been found at various time* in ttie vicinity. 

 J/anbury, population 1009, is about 4 miles E. by N. from Droitwich. 

 The parish church occupies an elevated site. The Worcester and 

 Birmingham Canal and the Bristol and Birmingham railway pass on 

 the west side of the village. Manley-t'att/c, population 1686, about U 

 mile* S. from Worcester, is pleasantly situated near the right bank of 

 the Severn. In the village are a pariah church, a chapel for Roman 

 Catholics, aud National schools. J/artlebury, population 2047, U 

 about 11 miles N. by W. from Worcester, aud 2 miles S.E. l> >m 

 .Stourport, There are here a Free Grammar achool and a Free school 

 for 15 girls. Malting U carried on. There are some corn-mills. 

 Kempuy, population 1375, about 4 miles S. from Worcester, on the 

 left bank of the Severn, contains the pariah church aud National 

 schools. Henry II. held his court here. The ruius of an ancient 

 camp are near the church. KINO'B NORTON. MARTLET. Old 

 J'liil, population of the to woship of Upper Swint'ord 2728, about a 

 mile S.S.E. from StourbrUge. Brick-making, nail-making, chain- and 

 trace-malting, brewing, aud malting, are carried on. There are some 

 collieries in the vicinity. The church i* a very handsome gotliio 

 edifice, with a lofty spire. There ia a Blue-Coat hospital for 100 boys, 

 connected with which ia an Infant school. The acliool-houae is a 

 neat collegiate building. Umbertley, population 23u4, about 6 milea 

 N. from Worcester, near the left bank of thu .Severn, has a han 

 church, which was lately rebuilt. There are here Endowed National 

 schools, and an Infant school In the churchyard are the remains of 

 an ancient cross. Puiaick, population 1834, about 3 miles S.S.W. from 

 Worcester, of which city it may be reckoned a suburb, is on the 

 right bank of the river Teme, over which there is here an ancient 

 bridge. The church, which U a handsome gothic edifice, is situated 

 on a lofty bill, from which there is a fine view of the valley of the 

 Severn. In tliu village are National aud Infant schools. Kedditch, 

 population of the township 4802, ia pleasantly situated on an eminence 

 near the Warwickshire border, about G miles KS.E. from Worcester. 

 It ia the chief seat of the needle manufacture ; fish-hooks are also 

 made in large quantities. There are here a chapel of ease, chapels 

 for Wealeyan aud Primitive Methodists, Independents, and Roman 

 C.itiioliui; National schools; and a savings bank. Brickm 

 brewing, aud malting are carried on. Stake Prior, population 1613, 

 about 2 miles S. by W. from Bromsgrove, has extensive gait, soap, and 

 chemical work*, and a manufactory of railway carriages. There arc 



