Bewdley - Switchback

Many thanks to the folks at Bewdley Town Football Club and JPP Demolition Ltd for facilitating this camera's location on the B4194 / aka Switchback  and to Worcestershire County Council  for capitally funding its installation.  Please click here for flooding information regarding this location.The B4196 frequently experiences flooding outside the main gates of Bewdley Town Football Club when the River Severn is in full spate. The club, now known as Bewdley Town Football Club, was established in 1978, following more than 90 years of competing under various local names. Recently, one of those names, Bewdley Comrades, has been revived by the youth section. The club was formed through the merger of two local teams, Bewdley Old Boys F.C and Woodcolliers FC, both of which originally played at Gardeners Meadow in Bewdley, with the latter team playing on Sundays. However, due to the sale and redevelopment of Gardeners Meadow, the club had to find a new venue and temporarily relocated to Kidderminster.A significant fundraising effort was initiated, enabling the club to purchase land and return to Bewdley, specifically to their home at Ribbesford Meadows, under the guidance of Robert Burns. After playing in the Kidderminster and District Leagues, the main senior team, managed by Craig Payton and led by Chairman Geoff Edwards, joined the West Midlands Regional League Division One South in 1999. Prior to this move, Ribbesford Meadows was an ongoing project, providing football facilities for all age groups, including youth football in the Stourport and District League and Midlands Floodlit League, as well as adult football in the Kidderminster and District League. Notably, in 1993, Bewdley Town FC, under the guidance of FA Coach Chris Middleton, became one of the first clubs in Worcestershire to establish a Mini Soccer Centre, which remains operational today. The Mini Soccer Centre attracts children of all abilities, starting from the age of 4, from various areas of the Wyre Forest region. The center is expertly managed by FA Coach Wayne Payton, co-ordinated by Jo Payton, and supported by a team of qualified coaches.In 2005, Bewdley Town finished as runners-up in Division 1 and earned promotion to the West Midlands Premier League. However, in order to compete at this level, they had to rent facilities from nearby rivals Stourport Swifts. In 2006, they obtained permission to construct stands and install floodlights. In their second season, they secured a third-place finish in the league, leading for a significant portion of the season. Unfortunately, their chances of winning the league were hampered by severe floods, which forced them to play a large number of games in a short period towards the end of the season, ultimately taking a toll on the players. Even if they had won the league, they would not have been promoted due to the ongoing development of their ground not being completed.In the 2007-2008 season, the ground received a higher rating, allowing them to compete at a higher level and potentially secure promotion by finishing among the top-placed teams. Bewdley Town FC also made history that season by participating in the F.A. Vase for the first time, reaching the third round proper but ultimately losing to higher-ranked opponents, Coventry Sphinx. The following season marked Bewdley's debut in the FA Cup, although their journey was short-lived as they were defeated at home by Midland Alliance side Alvechurch FC.