Pershore - Bridge Street

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Many thanks to the folks at Pershore College  for facilitating this camera's location and to Worcestershire County Council  for capitally funding its installation. Bridge Street in Pershore floods frequently when the River Avon is in spate. Please click here for flooding information regarding this location.  The town is best known for Pershore Abbey, Pershore College, which is now a campus of Warwickshire College and also the famous  plums grown locally.  Pershore contains much elegant Georgian architecture. In 1964 the Council for British Archaeology included Pershore in its list of 51 British "Gem Towns" worthy of special consideration for historic preservation, and it has been listed as an outstanding conservation area. Parts of the abbey, which stand in an expanse of public grassland close to the centre of the town, date from the 11th century. The current structure is far smaller than the original building, which was plundered during the reign of Henry VIII at the Dissolution. The original nave was destroyed. The north transept collapsed later. The present nave occupies the western part of what would originally have been the choir.  The Pershore Plum Festival is held in August to celebrate the local tradition of growing plums including the local varieties Pershore Purple, Pershore Yellow Egg Plum and Pershore Emblem. Activities include crowning the plum princess, a family fun run, plum themed art exhibition and the Plum Fayre. There is also a classic car rally and nearby Worcester Racecourse revived The Land O'Plums Chase from 72 years ago. The festival won the Best Tourism Event and Festival in the Worcestershire Welcome Awards 2011. Pershore Carnival is on the spring bank holiday, usually the last Monday in May, a carnival is held for the entertainment and enjoyment of the townsfolk and people from a wide surrounding area. Each year has a different theme, the programme covers being designed by children attending Pershore schools. The day starts with a procession of a variety of entries that passes through the town ending at Abbey Park. During the procession a bucket collection is taken in support of the year's two carnival charities. In the park there are stalls, a show arena, a dog show and other attractions, each year being different. The day ends with an evening concert and firework display. Various fundraising events take place prior to the carnival, such as a quiz night, a race night and a duck race on the river.