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Coordinates: 52°22′31″N 2°18′58″W / 52.37524°N 2.31624°W / 52.37524; -2.31624

Bewdley
Load Street
Bewdley  Bewdley shown within Worcestershire
Population	9,178 (2001)
OS grid reference	SO785752
- London	134.2 miles
Civil parish	Bewdley
District	Wyre Forest
Shire county	Worcestershire
Region	West Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Bewdley
Postcode district	DY12
Dialling code	01299
Police	West Mercia
Fire	Hereford and Worcester
Ambulance	West Midlands
EU Parliament	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Wyre Forest
List of places: UK • England • Worcestershire

Bewdley ( pronunciation) is a town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire, England, along the Severn Valley a few miles to the west of Kidderminster. It lies on the River Severn, and at the time of the 2001 census had a population of 9,178.^[1]

Town geography[link]

Bewdley and surrounding area (Ordnance Survey)

The main part of Bewdley town is situated on the western bank of the River Severn, including the main street — Load Street — whose name derives from lode, an old word for ferry. Load Street is notable for its width: this is because it once also served as the town's market place. Most of Bewdley's shops and amenities are situated along Load Street, at the top of which lies St Anne's Church, built between 1745 and 1748 by Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden.

Beyond the church, High Street leads off to the south towards Stourport along the B4194, a road known locally as "the switchback" because of its many undulations. Unlike in many English towns, High Street is so called not because of its importance, but because of its geographical position 'high' above the river. A sandy slope locally known as Bewdley Beach, located on the northern Severn side, is used by local residents as a leisure area. There are several pubs, cafes, and restaurants along the riverside.

On the other side of the church, Welch Gate (so called because it once contained a tollgate on the road towards Wales) climbs steeply up to the west, while a continuation of the B4194 leads northwest towards the Wyre Forest. To the northeast of the town is the wooded hilltop of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, the southern terminus of Shatterford Hill.

History and government[link]

The Guildhall

The settlement of Wribbenhall, on the eastern side of the Severn, and now part of Bewdley, was recorded in the Domesday Book as being part of the manor of Kidderminster. By the 14th century, the town had come to be known as Beau lieu, French for "Beautiful place" - a compliment that fits well with John Leland's statement in his Itinerary two centuries later that "a man cannot wish to see a towne better".

Bewdley was granted borough status, as well as a weekly market, by King Edward IV in 1472, and retained this status until local government reorganisation in 1974. A parliamentary report of 1777 listed Bewdley as having a parish workhouse accommodating up to 80 inmates.

Bewdley is now governed by three tiers of local government; in increasing order of size: Bewdley town council, Wyre Forest district council and Worcestershire county council.

For many centuries Bewdley had its own Member of Parliament (MP), most famously the Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin who represented it from 1907–1937,^{[citation needed]} but in 1950 the Bewdley constituency was abolished and the town was included in the Kidderminster constituency. In 1983, the Kidderminster constituency itself was absorbed into the Wyre Forest constituency, which currently encompasses all of Bewdley. The MP for Wyre Forest is Mark Garnier of the Conservative Party, who in 2010 unseated the incumbent, Richard Taylor of Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern (often simply Health Concern), a local organisation. The Labour Party held the seat from 1997-2001.

The former quayside on the western bank of the river has been much prettified and landscaped over the last few decades, and its rows of Georgian townhouses and buildings are well seen from Telford's bridge. Since the completion of the flood defences in 2006 (see below), a "Civic Space" has been introduced to replace the old bandstand. It is used on a variety of occasions including the regular local Farmers' markets.

River and bridges[link]

Bewdley bridge and Severn Side South, 2003

The River Severn often used to burst its banks in winter, flooding many houses and commercial premises in Bewdley. However, after the 2000 floods, plans were made for flood defences on the western bank, and this work was completed in April 2006, costing £7 million.^[2] Temporary barriers are also put up to protect properties on the Eastern side of the river in Wribbenhall. Among the worst floods in living memory were those in 1947, 1968 and 2000, where 140 properties were affected.^[2] Bewdley's long experience of dealing with flooding led to the setting up of the National Flood Forum in the town in 2002.

Bewdley Bridge over the Severn was built in 1798 by Thomas Telford. It was erected to replace the 1483 medieval bridge which was swept away in the floods of 1795. There is some speculation^{[citation needed]} locally that its continued ability to carry heavy motor traffic may be thanks to secret strengthening work carried out during the Second World War to allow the bridge to bear the weight of tanks if necessary.

A modern road bridge carries the Bewdley bypass, opened to the south-east of the town at Blackstone in 1987 after many decades of campaigning, across the river.

The Tenbury and Bewdley Railway branched off Severn Valley Railway at Bewdley, and ran through the Wyre Forest to Tenbury Wells. It crossed the river at Dowles, a little to the north of Bewdley. The bridge itself no longer exists, although its imposing brick pillars remain.

Education[link]

There are three state schools in Bewdley. Of these, two are primary schools: St Anne's CE Primary on the west side of town and Bewdley Primary in Wribbenhall on the eastern side of the Severn. The single secondary school is The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre. The Bewdley Grammar School closed in the 1800s which was located on Lax Lane. Since then, the former grammar school is now home to many art galleries and is venue to many different art and craft activities. After the closure of Bewdley Grammar School, Bewdley High School & Sixth Form Centre was built on the opposite side of the river with new buildings. In 2007, Bewdley High School closed due to an educational tier change after 54 years. After building refurbishments and extensions, The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre opened as a new secondary school.^[3]

Local attractions[link]

Bewdley Severn Valley Railway station

Events[link]

The 'Discover Bewdley' weekend takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend. The weekend features artists, events, market stalls, a parade and the launch of the Bewdley Heritage Trails. The Bewdley Festival, featuring a variety of artistic performances, is held in the town each October, and Bewdley also hosts one of the largest inland river regattas in the country. The successful Bewdley Beer Festival is held each August Bank Holiday weekend. Bewdley also has a carnival which takes place every June.

Other amenities[link]

The West Midland Safari Park lies just out of the town, on the A456 towards Kidderminster.

Bewdley is also the headquarters of the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage railway running the 16 miles between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens (usually abbreviated to simply "Jubilee Gardens") are tucked away between the rear of Bewdley Museum and the River Severn.

Bewdley is surrounded by the Wyre Forest, and there are many footpaths and cycle routes through the unspoilt woodlands. There is a visitor centre situated just outside Bewdley on the road to Cleobury Mortimer, where many waymarked trails through the forest start from. The Bewdley museum (admission free), housed in the Guildhall (alongside the Tourist Information Centre) explores the history of the town and has displays on local crafts such as coopering, basket making, agriculture and tanning.

A regular general market on Saturdays took place until 2008, although specialised markets have continued. In June 2009, Wyre Forest District Council was approached by a former stall-holder with a view to reviving the market close to the bridge.^[4]

Notable residents[link]

Bewdley Bridge

• Stanley Baldwin, who served as prime minister three times between 1923 and 1937, was born at Lower Park House, Lower Park, in 1867. He served as MP for the town from 1908 for nearly thirty years and later became Earl Baldwin of Bewdley.^[5]
• Karl Hyde, musician, best known as a member of British techno/electronic music band Underworld was born in Bewdley
• Rustie Lee, TV chef and actor has lived in the town and local area for a number of years
• Kayleigh Pearson, model, grew up in Bewdley, and attended Bewdley High School, now The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre
• Brian Turner Tom Lawrence, awarded the Victoria Cross in the Boer War, was born in Bewdley
• Alun Evans, footballer, in 1968 became the most expensive teenage transfer in history, moving from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Liverpool FC, was born in the town.
• Will Holland (Quantic), musician, DJ and record producer is from Bewdley.
• Former Led Zeppelin lead- and now solo singer Robert Plant lives in the nearby village of Upper Areley, and is a member of Bewdley Tennis Club.

Twin towns[link]

• Fort-Mahon-Plage, France
• Vellmar, Germany
• Clarksville, Indiana, USA

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bewdley.org.uk
• Bewdley Festival
• Bewdley Beer Festival
• 107.2 The Wyre
• National Flood Forum
• Bewdley, Wyfopedia
• Bewdley photographs at www.geograph.co.uk
• Bewdley CofE

Sir Keith Rodney Park
Sir Keith Park
Nickname	"The Defender of London" "Skipper"
Born	15 June 1892 Thames, New Zealand
Died	6 February 1975 (aged 82) Auckland, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand United Kingdom
Service/branch	New Zealand Army British Army Royal Air Force
Years of service	1911 – 1946
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Commands held	No. 11 Group RAF No. 48 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars	First World War Gallipoli Campaign Battle of the Somme Second World War Battle of Britain Battle of Malta Pacific Theatre of Operations
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross Legion of Merit (USA) Croix de guerre (France)
Other work	City Councillor, New Zealand

Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC, RAF (15 June 1892 – 6 February 1975) was a New Zealand soldier, First World War flying ace and Second World War Royal Air Force commander. He was in operational command during two of the most significant air battles in the European theatre in the Second World War, helping to win the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Malta. In Germany, he was known as "the Defender of London".^[1]

Early life and army career[link]

Park was born in Thames, New Zealand. He was the son of a Scottish geologist for a mining company. An undistinguished young man, but keen on guns and riding, Keith Park was educated at King's College, Auckland until 1906^[2] and then at Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin where he served in the cadets. Later he joined the Army as a Territorial soldier in the New Zealand Field Artillery.^[3] In 1911, at age 19, he went to sea as a purser aboard collier and passenger steamships, earning the family nickname "skipper".

When the First World War broke out, Park left the ships and joined his artillery battalion.^[3] As a non-commissioned officer, he participated in the landings at Gallipoli in April 1915, going ashore at Anzac Cove. In the trench warfare that followed Park's achievements were recognised and in July 1915 he gained a commission as second lieutenant.^[3] He commanded an artillery battalion during the August 1915 attack on Suvla Bay and endured more months of squalor in the trenches. At this time Park took the unusual decision to transfer from the New Zealand Army to the British Army, joining the Royal Horse and Field Artillery.^[4]

Park was evacuated from Gallipoli in January 1916. The battle had left its mark on him both physically and mentally, though, later on in life, he would remember it with nostalgia. He particularly admired the ANZAC commander, Sir William Birdwood, whose leadership style and attention to detail would be a model for Park in his later career.

After the hardship at Gallipoli, Park's battalion was shipped to France to take part in the Battle of the Somme. Here he learned the value of aerial reconnaissance, noting the manner in which German aircraft were able to spot Allied artillery for counter-fire and getting an early taste of flight by being taken aloft to check his battalion's camouflage. On 21 October 1916, Park was blown off his horse by a German shell. Wounded, he was evacuated to England and medically certified "unfit for active service," which technically meant he was unfit to ride a horse. After a brief remission recovering from his wounds, recuperating and doing training duties at Woolwich Depot, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in December 1916.^[3]

Flying career[link]

First World War[link]

In the RFC Park first learned to instruct and then learned to fly. After a spell as an instructor (March 1917 to the end of June) he was posted to France and managed a posting to join 48 Squadron,^[3] at La Bellevue (near Arras), on 7 July 1917. Within a week the squadron moved to Frontier Aerodrome just east of Dunkirk. Park flew the new Bristol Fighter (a two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft) and soon achieved successes against German fighters, earning, on 17 August, the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty", after shooting down an enemy aircraft and Causing the Destruction of three others^[5] with Arthur Noss as his gunner.^[6] He was promoted to temporary captain on 11 September.

After a break from flying. Park returned to France as a major to command 48 Squadron.^[3] Here he showed his ability as a tough but fair commander, showing discipline, leadership and an understanding of the technical aspects of air warfare.

By the end of the war the strain of command had all but exhausted Park, but he had achieved much as a pilot and commander. He had earned a bar to his Military Cross,^[7][8] the Distinguished Flying Cross^[9] and the French Croix de Guerre. His final tally of aircraft claims was five destroyed and 14 (and one shared) "out of control". (His 13th "credit" of 5 September 1917 was Lieutenant Franz Pernet of Jasta Boelcke (a stepson of General Erich Ludendorff)).^[10] He was also shot down twice during this period.

After the Armistice he married the London socialite Dorothy "Dol" Parish.

Inter-war years[link]

After the War, Park was awarded a permanent commission as a captain in the Royal Air Force and when the new RAF officer ranks were introduced in 1919, Park became a flight lieutenant.^[3] He served as a flight commander on No. 25 Squadron from 1919 to 1920 before taking up duties as a squadron commander at the School of Technical Training.^[3] In 1922 he was selected to attend the newly formed RAF Staff College.^[3] Later on, Park commanded RAF stations and was an instructor before promotion to Air Commodore and an appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Fighter Command under Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding in 1938.^[3]

Second World War[link]

Battle of Britain[link]

The doorway used by AVM Park to reach the No. 11 Group Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge

Promoted to the rank of air vice marshal,^[11] Park took command of No. 11 Group RAF, responsible for the fighter defence of London and southeast England, in April 1940.^[3] He organized fighter patrols over France during the Dunkirk evacuation and in the Battle of Britain his command took the brunt of the Luftwaffe's air attacks. Flying his personalised Hawker Hurricane around his fighter airfields during the battle, Park gained a reputation as a shrewd tactician with an astute grasp of strategic issues and as a popular "hands-on" commander. However, he became embroiled in an acrimonious dispute with ambitious Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, commander of 12 Group. Leigh Mallory, already envious of Park for leading the key 11 Group while 12 Group was left to defend airfields, repeatedly failed to support 11 Group and his Big Wing (led by Douglas Bader) often ran amok through 11 Group airspace confusing the UK's defences. 10 Group in the South West under Quintin Brand successfully supported 11 Group when required despite having far more ardous defensive duties in its own area than 12 Group. Park's subsequent objection to Leigh-Mallory's behaviour during the Big Wing controversy may have contributed to his and Dowding's removal from command at the end of the battle, but neither Park nor Dowding had much time for internal politics and fell easy prey to their waiting critics. Richard Saul of 13 Group on the other hand, wrote to Park on learning of his pending departure from 11 Group, commenting on "the magnificent achievements of your group in the past six months; they have borne the brunt of the war, and undoubtedly saved England".^[12] Park was to remain indignant however over his and Dowding's treatment for the rest of his life. Park was posted immediately to Training Command before seeing later high ranking service in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, while Dowding was sent to America.

Park's No. 11 Group RAF were coordinated by fighter controllers in the No. 11 Group Operations Room in the underground bunker, now known as the Battle of Britain Bunker at RAF Uxbridge. Park himself was not based in the bunker but did visit to impart his wisdom at numerous key points during the battle, along with visits from the Royal Family and Winston Churchill. Among the many air battles fought over Britain, Park personnally commanded RAF forces on several important dates; 13 August (Adlertag), 18 August (The Hardest Day) and the 15 September (Battle of Britain Day).

While overseeing the operations at RAF Uxbridge, Air Vice Marshall Park stayed in a house opposite the entrance to the bunker. He used a small door to get from the house each day to the bunker. In 1996, the house, named Park House after the war in his honour, was demolished. Only the door and garden wall were retained.^[13]

Later war career[link]

MoTaT's replica of OK1; a Hurricane Mk I painted as Park's personal mount during the Battle of Britain

In January 1942 Park went to Egypt as Air Officer Commanding,^[3] where he built up the air defence of the Nile Delta. In July 1942 he returned to action, commanding the vital air defence of Malta.^[3] From there his squadrons participated in the North African and Sicilian campaigns. In January 1944 he was made Air Office Commanding-in-Chief Middle East Command.^[3]

In June 1944, Park was considered by the Australian government to command the RAAF, because of rivalry between the nominal head, Chief of the Air Staff Air Vice Marshal George Jones and his deputy the operational head, Air Vice Marshal William Bostock, but General Douglas MacArthur said it was too late in the war to change. In February 1945 Park was appointed Allied Air Commander, South-East Asia, where he served until the end of the war.^[3]

On leaving the Royal Air Force, Park personally selected a Supermarine Spitfire to be donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum (note: often incorrectly labelled 'Auckland Memorial Museum' or 'Auckland Museum'). This aircraft is still on display today along with his service decorations and uniform.

Assessments[link]

Park retired and was promoted to Air Chief Marshal on 20 December 1946 and returned to New Zealand, where he took up a number of civic roles and was elected to the Auckland City Council. He lived in New Zealand until his death on 6 February 1975, aged 82 years.

One of the top Allied air aces of the war Johnnie Johnson said of Park “He was the only man who could have lost the war in a day or even an afternoon”.^[14] This was an echo of Winston Churchill's description of Admiral Jellicoe in the First World War.

Another ace who fought in the Battle of Britain, the RAF pilot Douglas Bader, said that “the awesome responsibility for this country’s survival rested squarely on Keith Park’s shoulders. British military history of this century has been enriched with the names of great fighting men from New Zealand, of all ranks and in every one of our services. Keith Park’s name is carved into history alongside those of his peers.” ^[15]

Although Park has not received widespread public recognition, either in Britain or his native New Zealand, Park has a claim to be one of the greatest commanders in the history of aerial warfare. The decisive tactical victories he achieved in the Battle of Britain and again at the Battle of Malta not only demonstrated his leadership qualities and deep understanding of air operations, but were both strategically significant in determining the course of World War II.

There has been much analysis of the Battle of Britain and Park's role over the intervening decades. Many issues on air-tactics which were not clear at the time to most in command have been researched, analysed and some clarity has been obtained through the mists of time. Keith Park though had such a clear grasp of air strategy that even with the benefit of this hindsight from decades of research little could be done to improve on his performance.

Park was made a Commander of the American Legion of Merit in 1947.^[16]

Keith Park Crescent, a residential road near the former RAF Biggin Hill, is named after Park, as is Keith Park Road within RAF Uxbridge.

A Southern Railway (Great Britain) West Country Class/Battle of Britain Class locomotive, no. 21C153 / 34053 was named after him in 1948. This locomotive carried Park's name and the RAF coat of arms on plates mounted either side of its boiler. The locomotive has survived into preservation, and is in the final stages of restoration from scrapyard condition. The locomotive is owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, and the overhaul is taking place at the Swanage Railway's Herston Works, Swanage. Once complete, the locomotive will provide a roving memorial to Sir Keith Park, although it will be based on the Severn Valley Railway.

Park was portrayed by Trevor Howard in the 1969 film Battle of Britain.

Sir Keith Park is commemorated by the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield, the aviation section of the Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, New Zealand, the gate guardian of which is a replica of Park's Hawker Hurricane, OK1. The machine is not accurately painted, as it has a stripe around the rear of the fuselage in duck-egg green, which was not introduced until the spring of 1941, by which time he was commanding Training Command.

Statue of Sir Keith Park in Waterloo Place, London.

In 2008, London financier Terry Smith and others initiated an international campaign to erect a permanent statue of Park on the Fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, in recognition of his work as commander of No. 11 Group during the Battle of Britain.^[17][18][19] London Mayor Boris Johnson is on record as saying that devoting the plinth permanently to Park, while certainly worthy, might not be easy to facilitate.^[20]

On 8 May 2009 Westminster City Council agreed to a put up a 2.78 m (9 ft) statue in Waterloo Place.^[21] A temporary 5 m (16.4 ft) statue was unveiled on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square on 4 November 2009. The fibre glass sculpture was in place for six months,^[22][23] until it was temporarily moved to the Royal Air Force Museum in London in May 2010.^[24] Finally, a permanent bronze version of the sculpture was installed at Waterloo Place and unveiled there on 15 September 2010, Battle of Britain Day, during the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Battle. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, said that Park was "a man without whom the history of the Battle of Britain could have been disastrously different. He was a man who never failed at any task he was given."^[25]

Honours and decorations[link]

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath - 23 May 1946 (KCB - 1 January 1945, CB - 17 December 1940),
• Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire - 27 November 1942
• Military Cross - 26 Sep 1917, Bar - 27 October 1917
• Distinguished Flying Cross - 3 June 1919
• Croix de guerre (France) - 18 April 1918
• Commander of the Legion of Merit - 27 June 1947
• MA (Oxford)
• Hon DCL - 1947

References[link]

Notes

Bibliography

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Keith Park

• Keith Park at The Aerodrome
• Park, Keith Rodney 1892 - 1975, New Zealand Dictionary of Biography
• Opinion of "The New Zealand Edge"
• Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park
• Combat History of the Supermarine Spitfire - The Defence of Malta (1942)
• Profile on BBC News website.
• Clive James, BBC
• Joint Services Command and Staff College - Command and Leadership Series - Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park