Evesham, Worcestershire, England.

Evesham is situated just on the edge of the Cotswolds; it is almost equidistant between the towns of Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham and the city of Worcester.1

Evesham is mainly classed as a dormitory town for the city of Birmingham some 35 miles away. It is also situated on the mainline into London Paddington, only two hours away so it has its fair share of commuters too.2

The area around the town is known as the Vale of Evesham. A place, that in the past was associated with the growing of fine vegetables and for its large quantities of soft fruit orchards. Unfortunately there has been a steady decline in this area, with cheaper imports from overseas being blamed for the decline; but for now there are still plenty of growers growing good quality produce. The present trend in organic produce is helping to drive an upward resurgence in market gardening. 3

The river Avon runs through the middle of the town and is an attraction in its own right. The town’s park and gardens line the river and give the place some very attractive recreation areas where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings, while watching pleasure boats cruising along the river. On high days and holidays you can sit and listen to live brass bands playing from the band stand.4

Pleasure anglers flock to the town and are well catered for, with easy access and parking, the construction of purpose built stages to fish from including facilities for disabled anglers as well. Each August Bank Holiday there is a three day angling festival. 5

Other festivals held throughout the year include a balloon festival, a themed river festival in which a myriad of small river craft are dressed up much in the same way of carnival floats. A rowing regatta is held each year, there is even a festival of food, in which Evesham’s many and varied ethnic restaurants take part with many exotic offerings.6

My favourite place is the Bell tower in the park and the remains of the abbey that once dominated the area that is now the park. A swine herder stated that the Virgin Mary had revealed herself to him whilst he attended to his swine. This came to be regarded as a Holy site and several churches where erected on the site of the apparition and the Abbey followed.7

The whole area around the Abbey is full of historical facts and remains. Even some the street names reflect the history, like ‘Vine Street’ where there was once a vineyard situated, to produce wine for the Abbey.8

Historically Evesham has been important, with a battle fought just outside the town in 1265 between the forces of Simon de Montford Earl of Leicester and King Henry the third.9

Evesham, a town I have now come to regard as home, is a boring place to some; unless you know where to look and when you do, you can keep on finding!10