Bromyard

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.1908
longitude= -2.5068
population= 4,000 "Approx"
official_name= Bromyard
unitary_england= Herefordshire
region = West Midlands
lieutenancy_england= Herefordshire
constituency_westminster= Leominster
post_town= BROMYARD
postcode_area = HR
postcode_district=HR7
dial_code= 01885
os_grid_reference= SO654548

Bromyard is a former market town in north-east Herefordshire, England, near to the county border with Worcestershire, with a population of about 4,000 [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/493384] . It is on the A44 between Leominster and Worcester (coordinates coord|52|11|24|N|2|30|26|W|). The town centre is bypassed by the main road [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/188845] , and has many old and historically interesting buildings, especially in the High Street and Market Square, including a number of half-timbered pubs. [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/84500] The local toyshop doubles as a museum of dolls and, especially, teddy bears. Bromyard was also the location of the now infamous gollywog saga in 2006, wherein a number of the dolls displayed in an ironmonger's shop were confiscated by the police, who deemed them 'racially offensive'. This incident provoked a media outcry, and a heated debate about political correctness in Britain, and the sensibilities of ethnic minorities.

St Peter's Church is a large mellow building with parts dating back to Norman times, especially an effigy of St Peter, with two keys, over the main doorway.

The town is locally known for the Bromyard Folk Festival, well-known amongst folkies of the nation, a three-day event that takes place each year in September. It particularly concentrates on English traditional music.

The Bromyard Gala, a large country show and steam rally, is held on the first weekend of July.

An annual international rally of town criers takes place in the town.

Another attraction which lures tourists to Bromyard is the excellent Christmas lights which light up the town during the festive period. Started in 1962, it is run entirely by an enthusiastic band of volunteers.

Bromyard was once a centre for growing hops and soft fruit. The erstwhile railway, now dismantled, which ran from Worcester to Leominster, was a common destination for 'hop-pickers' specials' from the Black Country.

More recently Bromyard has become the home of Nozstock Festival of Performing Arts which attracts nearly 3,000 visitors to Bromyard at the end of July every year. This two-day event showcases 30 bands from around the country across three stages, alongside two dance arenas, a cinema, a theatre and comedy stage, circus, and even a vintage tractor arena.

External links

* [http://www.bromyardgala.org.uk/ Bromyard Gala]
* [http://www.thisisledbury.co.uk/news/ledburynewsbromyard/ Local newspaper reports]
* [http://www.bromyard-folk-festival.org.uk Bromyard Folk Festival]
* [http://www.bromyard.info Bromyard.info Community-based project covering the town and surrounding areas]
* [http://www.townpages.com/herefordshire/bromyard/ Bromyard Community and Business Information]
* [http://www.bromyard.play-cricket.com/ Bromyard Cricket Club]
* [http://www.bromyardhistorysociety.org.uk/ Bromyard History Society website]
* [http://www.archenfield.com/Bromyard.htm Bromyard history from Archenfield Archaeology]
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HEF/Bromyard/ Genuki on Bromyard with links]
* [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/herefordshire/bromyard/photos/bromyard_photos.htm 39 old photos of Bromyard]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSet4-GCysI The award winning Bromyard Christmas Lights 2007]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsvUJvIqaWI&feature=related 2007 Bromyard floods]