Upton Snodsbury | |
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Upton Snodsbury Post Office |
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Upton Snodsbury shown within Worcestershire | |
OS grid reference | SO943538 |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | WORCESTER |
Postcode district | WR7 |
Police | West Mercia |
Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
Ambulance | West Midlands |
EU Parliament | West Midlands |
Upton Snodsbury is a village in Worcestershire, England, United Kingdom, located five miles east of Worcester just off the A422 road.
Nestling between low hills and farmland, the pretty parish of Upton Snodsbury lies 7 miles east of Worcester along the A422. The church is dedicated to St. Kenelm and includes some fine stained glass windows, including several from the 1960s and 1970s by Francis Skeat.[1] There is a Church of England first school in the village, Upton Snodsbury C of E First School. It was set up in 1865 with money from rents of 3 cottages gifted by Mrs Alice Greene, mother of the then vicar, Rev. Armell Greene. She had realised the need for a village school since the Sunday School was attended by over 70 children. (Latest Ofsted Report was in 2008.). In 2001 a big project was undertaken to show the history of the school, resulting in a large gathering of photos and of pupils' stories from over 100 years, both on file and tape: a school history video was made, called: "Counting the Cows" (referencing both the lack of cows in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, and the 1920 story from an ex-pupil who failed to count his father's cows).
The village's many nearby orchards once did brisk business, and in recognition of this an 'Apple Day' celebration was held several times.
Some verbal histories of the village can be read on the park website
The village economy once rested on small businesses in the surrounding orchards, which is celebrated each year by an 'Apple day'. There are still a few small businesses in the village, such as a Post Office and Stores and two public houses, The Coventry Arms and The Oak. There are also several surrounding farms. There is also a Church Of England primary school, and a large church dedicated to Saint Kenelm.
The small Upton Snodsbury Parish Park opened in 2007, created by a small groups of residents who set up the charity USPRA to achieve this. The story of how this was achieved can be read. Annual fundraising keeps the park open, including in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 a music festival, SnodFest. A nature-watch archive of Thistledown Meadow and local gardens and surrounding areas shows local flora and fauna.