Belbroughton

Belbroughton is a village and civil parish in the Bromsgrove district of Worcestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,380. It is about six miles north of Bromsgrove, six miles east of Kidderminster and four miles south of Stourbridge, in Worcestershire.

Present

Belbroughton today is a relatively affluent area with house prices increasing by huge amounts in recent years, most likely due to its convenient position near to the motorway network and the city of Birmingham. Belbroughton has decent facilities for a village of its size, with a village shop, a post office and recreational centre with tennis courts . The area also has a very high density of public houses in Belbroughton itself and in neighbouring villages. The state schooling system is of a relatively high standard with pupils first attending Belbroughton First School and then progressing onto Haybridge High School and Sixth Form. The school system recently changing from a three tier system the previously involved Hagley Middle School (which has now disbanded), to a two tier system.

Belbroughton is in the constituency of Bromsgrove a traditionally Conservative area with the current MP being Julie Kirkbride member of the Conservative Party (UK).

History

Belboughton was at the core of the north Worcestershire scythe-making district. Many of the mills of the area were formerly blade mills used for sharpening them, after a scythesmith had forged them from iron, with a thin strip of steel along the cutting edge. From the late 18th century until about 1870, the Waldron family of Field House Clent were the leading manufacturers. They were succeeded by Isaac Nash, whose business finally closed in about 1970. Scythes were formerly not just made in Belbroughton, but also several adjacent parishes, including Chaddesley Corbett.

Local events

Since 1996 Belbroughton has hosted "Scarecrow Weekend" the last weekend of each September. Villagers create scarecrows and display them outside their homes. It has proved very popular over recent years with thousands of visitors, raising tens of thousands of pounds for local organisations and amenities.

Flooding

On 7 September 2008 heavy rain caused the brook running through the village to swell. The rising water was held back by a seven foot wall but the pressure of the water caused it to break. The surge of water tore through the village sweeping away cars and causing severe water damage (and in some cases structural damage) to many properties. The current was so strong, it made tarmac ripple.

External links

* [http://www.belbroughton.com/ Belbroughton Parish Council serving the Villages of Belbroughton and Fairfield]
* [http://www.francisfrith.com/pageloader.asp?page=/search/photos/viewphotos.asp&townid=B418&cid=50&partner=UK Aerial Photos of Belbroughton]
* [http://www.belbroughtontennis.co.uk/ Belbroughton Tennis Club]
* [http://www.belbroughton.net/ Belbroughton Net] (This site utilizes Flash 8 Player)
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/features/2003/09/scarecrows.shtml Belbroughton scarecrows come out to play] BBC 25 September 2003