Shipston-on-Stour facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shipston-on-Stour |
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 High Street, Shipston-on-Stour. |
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 Shipston-on-Stour
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| Area | 4.92 km2 (1.90 sq mi) |
| Population | 5,849 (2021 Census) |
| • Density | 1,189/km2 (3,080/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SP2540 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR |
| Postcode district | CV36 |
| Dialling code | 01608 |
| Police | Warwickshire |
| Fire | Warwickshire |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | Shipston-on-Stour Town Council |
Shipston-on-Stour is a lovely town in southern Warwickshire, England. It sits right by the River Stour. The town is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south-southeast of Stratford-upon-Avon. It's also near the borders of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
In 2021, about 5,849 people lived in Shipston-on-Stour. This area is sometimes called the Vale of Red Horse.
Contents
History of Shipston-on-Stour
How Shipston Got Its Name
Shipston-on-Stour has a name linked to sheep. In the 8th century, it was called Scepwaeisctune. This Old English name means "Sheep-wash-Town". For many centuries, it was a big sheep marketplace.
Over time, the name changed. In the 11th century, it was Scepwestun. Later, it became Sipestone or Schipton. By the 14th century, people called it Sepestonon-Sture.
The Town's Church and Its History
Shipston-on-Stour was part of Tredington until 1720. Then, a special law made it a separate area. The town grew and was very generous to its church.
The local Church of England parish church is called Saint Edmund. Its tower was built in the 15th century. In 1855, a famous architect named G.E. Street rebuilt the rest of the church. The church tower has six bells that have been updated many times over the years.
Shipston: A Stop for Stagecoaches and a Market Town
Shipston is on the A3400 road, which used to be part of the A34. From the 1600s to the 1800s, it was an important stop for stagecoaches. You can still see old coaching inns, like the Coach and Horses, on High Street. Many buildings there are very old and protected.
Later, in 1836, a branch railway line came to Shipston. It helped bring farm goods and products to and from the town. At first, horses pulled the trains. By 1889, steam trains could use the line. Passenger trains stopped running in 1929, and goods trains stopped in 1960.
Life in Early Victorian Shipston
In 1837, Shipston got its first library and reading room. Making a thick fabric called shag for carpets was an important business for a while. By 1848, the town had over 1,800 people.
The market in Shipston was held every Saturday. There were also fairs in April, June, August, and October. The town had a National school that helped educate children. There were also places of worship for Baptists, Quakers, and Wesleyans.
Shipston's County Change
For a long time, Shipston was part of Worcestershire, even though it was surrounded by Warwickshire. It was like a small piece of Worcestershire that was separate from the rest. In 1931, Shipston officially became part of Warwickshire.
Things to Do in Shipston
Shipston has a Sports Club where you can play football, cricket, bowls, and tennis. There are also angling (fishing) clubs. The Shipston First Scout Group has sections for Beavers (ages 6–8), Cubs (ages 8–10½), and Scouts (ages 10½–14).
The Shipston on Stour Rugby Football Club plays in a local league. Shipston also has its own brass band that plays music.
There is a small museum in Shipston, located off Telegraph Street. Local people created and run the museum. It displays items and memories related to the town and nearby villages.
Public Services in Shipston
The town has two schools: Shipston Primary School and Shipston High School. There is also a library run by the county council.
Shipston has a small NHS community hospital called the Ellen Badger Hospital. The Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service also has a fire station in Shipston-on-Stour.
Getting Around Shipston
The A3400 road goes through Shipston. It connects the town to Stratford-upon-Avon to the north-west. It also links to Chipping Norton and Oxford to the south-east. The A429 road passes to the west. This road uses part of the old Fosse Way. It connects Shipston to Warwick in the north and Tewkesbury in the south-west.
Today, the closest train station to Shipston is Moreton-in-Marsh railway station. It's about 6 miles (10 km) south of the town. Shipston used to have its own railway station. However, passenger trains stopped in 1929, and goods trains stopped in 1960.
Media and News in Shipston
You can watch local TV news from BBC West Midlands and ITV Central.
Local radio stations include BBC CWR, Capital Mid-Counties, and Heart West Midlands. There's also Radio Warneford, which broadcasts to patients at the Ellen Badger Hospital.
The local newspapers that serve the town are the Evesham Journal and the Coventry Telegraph.
How Shipston is Governed
Shipston-on-Stour is a civil parish. This means it has its own local government. The town is part of the Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwickshire County Council. These councils are in charge of different local services.
The lowest level of local government is the Shipston Town Council. It has 13 elected councillors who help run the town. Shipston is also part of the Stratford-on-Avon area for national elections.
Famous People from Shipston
Many interesting people have connections to Shipston:
- Cy Endfield (1914–1995) was an American film director. He directed movies like Zulu. He lived and died in Shipston.
- Francis J. Haverfield (1860–1919) was an archaeologist. He was born in Shipston.
- Tessa Jowell (1947–2018) was a politician. She lived in Shipston when she passed away.
- Joseph Mawle (1974) is a film and TV actor. He grew up in Shipston.
- Richard Morant (1945–2011) was a film and TV actor. He was born in Shipston.
- Edward William Mountford (1855–1908) was an architect. He was also born in Shipston.
Images for kids
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Shipston Bridge, over the River Stour
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St Edmunds Church, Shipston
See also
In Spanish: Shipston-on-Stour para niños
