Throckmorton, Worcestershire
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Coordinates: 52°08′42″N 2°01′48″W / 52.145128°N 2.030097°W
| Throckmorton | |
 Throckmorton Church |
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 Throckmorton
Throckmorton shown within Worcestershire |
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| Population | 200 (2001 census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SO980496 |
| Civil parish | Throckmorton |
| District | Wychavon |
| Shire county | Worcestershire |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PERSHORE |
| Postcode district | WR10 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| List of places: UK • England • Worcestershire | |
Throckmorton is a small village and civil parish in the administrative district of Wychavon, in the county of Worcestershire, England.
The village lies 5.2 miles northeast of Pershore (which has a rail station), five miles north-west of Evesham (which has a rail station) and 12 miles southeast of the city of Worcester. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 200.
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[edit] The church
The village is ancient and the earliest extant remains are parts of the church and bell-tower (now a chapelry), dating from the 13th century. Excavations discovered the stone foundations of an even earlier church on the site. The church has no electricity and is lit by gas-lamps and candles.
[edit] RAF Pershore
Archeological investigations of the airfield have suggested that it was originally a Roman site.[1]
At the periphery of the village is the military airfield RAF Station Pershore. The station has a long history. It was built in 1940 during the Second World War and was home to No 23 Operational Training Unit equipped with Wellington bombers. Subsequently, the airfield was home to No 1 Ferry Unit, the RAF Pershore Advanced Flying School and the Royal Radar Establishment Flying Unit. It is said to have one of the longest runways in UK (though this statement is incorrect, it is a mere 6000 ft). Although largely in a state of disuse, it is still in commission and is allegedly used for training purposes by military special forces and police.
Several plans have been put forward for the development of the site that was used in 2001 as a burial ground for the cremated carcasses of over 100,000 animals afflicted with foot and mouth disease.[2] In 2008 it was suggested that the site be used as a prison camp to relieve overcrowding in Britain's jails.[3] In 2008 proposals were put forward by QinetiQ to use the site for the development of an eco-town for a population of up to 20,000.[4] Recently government proposals emerged to turn the airfield into a reception centre for illegal immigrants. The village was on a shortlist of eight sites, but it was successful campaigned against by local people (as 'PACT') and M.P. Peter Luff, and the plan was rejected by the House of Lords.[citation needed]
The airfield was used as site for Vulcan bombers. Pershore was one of a number of dispersal sites for the RAF nuclear deterrent V Bombers, none were ever dispersed on anything other than training missions. To a question raised in Parliament, assurance was given that there are no records of radioactive contamination as a result of use of the site for Vulcan bomber disposals as no V bomber ever dispersed with live weapons.[5]
[edit] The Throckmorton family
The village gave its name to the Throckmorton family.
[edit] In the media
The village has had a number of television and radio documentaries made about it, notably by Channel 4's Time Team (2002) and BBC Radio 4 (2006).
[edit] Culture and countryside
The surrounding countryside is that celebrated by A.E. Housman and Edward Elgar, and there are numerous heritage sites locally.
[edit] References
- ^ Archeological investigations of the airfield
- ^ Worcestershire news archives Retrieved 3 August 2009
- ^ Birmingham Post 2008 Retrieved 3 August 2009
- ^ Worcestershire news archives Retrieved 3 August 2009
- ^ House of Commons minutes: Hansard 21 February 2008 Retrieved 3 August 2009
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Throckmorton, Worcestershire |
