Welcome to Bidford

Bidford-on-Avon is a Saxon Riverside village of approx. residents in the County of Warwickshire and within Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

There is evidence of the existence of Bidford-on-Avon dating back from Roman times: the Roman Ryknield Street ran north and south of the village and originally crossed the Avon by a ford close to the current site of the Parish Church St, Laurence, built ca. 1208

At some point, the ford was replaced by a bridge to its west and, although the exact date is unknown, there is a record that in 1449 in needed repairs. Currently, still in use for both vehicles and pedestrians, Bidford Bridge is a Grade 1 listed building and Scheduled Monument and is the main entrance to the village from the south.

An important Saxon cemetery, discovered in 1922, would indicate that Bidford continued to be an established settlement at that time and further buildings, dating to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries (now a Conservation Area of the village) are further testimony of the continuity of Bidford-on-Avon as a settlement.

Whilst Bidford largely escaped the dramatic population growth of the West midlands after WWII with increases of approx. 300 every 10 years, this changed in 1981 when the increase became more noticeable: in the last 30 years the population has almost doubled and the number of dwellings have increased by a staggering x%.

Bidford-on-Avon’s main attraction is the Big Meadow, a 26 acre recreational park by the River Avon, which the Parish Council leases from Alice, Duchess Dudley Trust. This is open to pedestrian all year round, unless flooded, and to vehicles from 1st April to 30th September. It has play area, which caters for children of all ages as well as outdoor gym equipment and a trim trail; a skate park and a MultiUseGameArea (MUGA).

The High Street offers a variety of eateries: Balti, fish & chips, Indian, pizza, pubs, restaurant and village café: as well as a number of shops including a butcher, estate agent, florist, newsagent, optometrist, pharmacy as well as a number of beauty salons/hairdressers.

To the south of Bidford-on-Avon can be found the charming hamlets of Barton (east) and Marlcliff (west); both are also by the River Avon and, especially Barton, have Conservation Areas. Both these hamlets are protected from further development by Stratford-on-Avon’s Core Strategy and the Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Development Plan.

To the north, is Broom (named in the Domesday Book as “King’s Broome”). It lies by the River Arrow and, like the others, also has a Conservation. Until 1879 until its closure in 1960, there was a railway station at Broom, Broom Junction, used mainly for the transport of goods though used by passengers until 1949. Remnants of the platform still remain today and the track bed running through the site has been incorporated into a north-south footpath.

There are a number of footpaths throughout Bidford-on-Avon Parish, part of the Heart of England Way which are well used by ramblers and other walkers (details of these can be found at https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjE3MzQ4Nw and https://www.heartofenglandway.org/)

What makes Bidford-on-Avon unique is its community. It successfully fought against the closure of its Fire Station in 2009 and to keep its library by creating Bidford Community Library Ltd, a social enterprise company. It has a number of local community groups as well as sports associations, open to and catering for, all members of the community. This community spirit was in evidence during the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic, when volunteers ensured the elderly and vulnerable were cared for physically and mentally.

There are also a number of popular, annual events, such as the Duck Race, which takes place on the Big Meadow in the summer, and the Christmas Lights Switch on the First Sunday of Advent in the Village Centre. The British Legion and Parish Council lead the community every year for Remembrance Sunday, with a service at St Laurence followed by wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in the village centre at 11.00 am. Bidford Rural Cinema screen up to date films at the Crawford Memorial Hall twice a month.

So, you are welcome to Bidford-on-Avon, whether as a new resident or visitor.

St Laurence Parish Church (Church of England)

The ancient parish church of St Laurence, which has recently celebrated its 800th year (1206 to 2006) occupies a prominent position in the centre of the village overlooking the River Avon.

Church Street,
Bidford-on-Avon,
Warks,
B50 4DA.

Church Times:

• Holy Communion every Sunday at 8.00am
• Holy Communion every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday at 10.00am
• Cafe Church every 1st Sunday at 10.30am
• Group Service every 5th Sunday (venue may vary)
• Holy Communion every Thursday at 9.30am

• See St Laurence Church's website for more information.

St Joseph the Worker (Roman Catholic)

The land in Quinneys Lane, on which the church stands, was bought with funds raised by the parish in 1960 following the closure of the church in Salford Priors. The building, which had been a builders workshop, was converted into a church and given the name St Joseph the Worker. A year or two later, the house next door was purchased and became the presbytery.

Quinney's Lane,
Bidford-on-Avon,
Warks,
B50 4JL.

Church Times:

• Mass every Saturday at 5.30pm
• Mass with Children's Liturgy every Sunday at 11.00am

• See St Joseph the Worker Church's website for more information.

theBarn Bidford

theBarn Bidford is a vibrant, growing church with lively music, flourishing youth and children’s work, small groups across the area, plenty for mums and toddlers through the week, regular outreach events including Alpha courses, art events, and Mix, a ministry for people with learning disabilities.

Our services are relaxed, positive and informal, and we do all we can to make sure everyone feels welcome. Our music is upbeat and contemporary, and worship, our invitation to God, underpins all we do. Our belief is that everyone is on a journey and the intentional combination of the preaching of God’s Word and openness to the Holy Spirit have the power to invigorate, empower, even transform our lives, right where we are.

Children and young people are a central part of our church. We have youth, kids and pre-school pastors, and kids play an active role in our services before they leave for their own groups. Our wider programme includes a Stay and Play toddler group meeting on Friday mornings, Barn Arts fortnightly, Mix monthly, Messy Church regularly and much more.

Church Times:

• Sunday morning service at 10.00am

• See the theBarn Bidford's website for more information.

Bidford-on-Avon Methodist Church

Chapel Close,
Bidford-on-Avon

Church Times:

• Sunday Worship at 10.30am
• Fellowship and Bible Study on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm
• Coffee Mornings on Saturdays from 10.30am to 12.00 noon

The Parish Council maintains the majority of the play areas and Public Open Spaces within the parish such as:

• Big Meadow/Monie Meadow
• Sports fields of Dugdale Avenue
• Jubilee Close
• Kings Lane, Broom
• Marleigh Park
• Millers Bank, Broom
• The Leys
• Wards Lane
• 2 x Cemeteries and the closed St Laurence Churchyard
• The grass verges, trees and hedges (that are not the responsibility of home owners)

It will take over the following areas once they are up to the required standard and the commuted sum for its maintenance is transferred.
Jacksons Meadow (this is currently in process)
Persimmons Development (south of Salford Road)
Russet Way.

However, there are some areas the Parish Council is not responsible for, namely:

• The 3 x POS on St Laurence
• Taylor Wimpey Estate off Waterloo Road
• Bovis Development North of Salford Road

Crawford Memorial Hall

The Crawford Memorial Hall is, in effect, the village hall, and is used by many village groups as well as for private parties, weddings, and the like. The hall is also used for elections, village meetings, concerts, and by the health centre for flu jab sessions, etc.

The hall is run by a volunteer management committee, with members from the Parish Council, the WI, British Legion, Bowling Club, Tennis Club and from the public. The Booking Secretary/Caretaker is Mr Peter Warwick and he deals with the day-to-day running of the hall.

The management committee is continually trying to improve the hall and its facilities. Recent improvements include the surfacing of the car park with tarmacadam (gone are the potholes and puddles!), the refurbishment of the toilets and the installation of a toilet for disabled users, a wheelchair friendly access, improved heating and repainting the kitchen.

The hall is greatly used by the community. Regular users of the building include the Gardening Society, the WI, The Goslings Mother & Toddler group, adult art classes, flower arranging group, dance classes for children and adults, and keep fit classes including aerobics and pilates. The management committee helped by several other volunteers runs a fortnightly bingo session which is very much enjoyed by an enthusiastic and loyal group of players. New players are always very welcome. All the profits go into the 'refurbishment' kitty. An annual village quiz is very much looked forward to and is very well supported by teams from the community. The Stratford Wind Band is to give its second concert in the hall in November and promises to be as good an evening as the first in 2002.

Adjacent to the Crawford Memorial Hall are the Bowling Club and the Tennis Club and they share the spacious car park. As well as being represented on the hall management committee the two clubs have their own committees to manage their premises and arrange fixtures. Both clubs have a good number of members but always welcome interest from prospective new members.

The Crawford Memorial Hall is a registered charity and is run for the village by villagers. All villagers are entitled to stand for the committee and new support is always very welcome. Village organisations including the three churches are also entitled to be represented on the management committee. The aim of the management committee is to make the hall a community centre in the true sense of the word and members work hard to make the hall as welcoming as possible to users.

The hall has a bar licence so is the ideal venue for dances and parties.

In addition to the main hall for larger parties, meetings etc, there is also a smaller, self contained room which is ideal for meetings and parties of smaller numbers. The room has its own unisex toilet, kitchenette and an entrance which is wheelchair/pushchair friendly. This small room can be booked separately from the main hall. However, this smaller meeting room, and the adjoining room, can also be used in conjunction with the main hall and its stage as a dressing room for concerts, plays etc.

We are also pleased to advise that the main hall is now equipped with a hearing loop system

Crawford Memorial Hall,
Salford Road,
Bidford-on-Avon,
Warwickshire,
B50 4EZ.

Registered Charity No. 522837

• Chairman – Bill Fleming.  07528 335553
  
• Booking Secretary/Caretaker – Mrs Sam Green:  07899 971943
• Email – thecrawfordmemorialhall@gmail.com – please email this for bookings
• Find us on Facebook – The Crawford Memorial Hall

Broom Village Hall

Broom's village hall is a modern, purpose-built hall providing up-to-date facilities. It hosts a range of regular social events and both daytime and evening classes covering a range of activities. It is also available for hire at very competitive rates, and is used by both individuals and organisations for parties and other events. The hall is fully centrally heated throughout.

The main room provides comfortable seating at tables for up to 60 - 70 people, or for more informal events there is room for up to 120 people. The floor is semi-sprung, making it suitable for dancing, as well as other active and sporting events. A well-equipped kitchen makes it easy to provide refreshments, with a serving hatch through to the main room. There is a smaller meeting room which can be hired with the main hall, or used separately.

A ramp leading to the main doors facilitates disabled access. All floors within the hall are at the same level.

As well as hosting private events, the hall regularly holds activities organised by the management committee to raise additional funds to help run the hall. These include film nights, and other popular events such as quizzes and ceilidhs.

Broom Village Hall now has its own website. To see details of all forthcoming activities and events, use the link on the right-hand side of this page. The website also provides further information about the hall and its location, as well as details on how to hire it for your own special event.

Broom Village Hall,
High Street,
Broom,
Warwickshire.

For further information about the hall, please see our website or look on our notice board on Broom High Street.

To discuss your event or class, please contact our Lettings Officer, Amanda Ward, on 07816 05823 or by email.

To buy tickets to our special events, please contact Diane Davies on 07903 362218 or by email.

For information on our Film Nights contact us by email.