Dr Bob Davis    Pershore at Play   2007   IBSN 1-234567-89-0     132 pages

 

Four Chapters:

1. The River Avon and the Waterfront.

 

     2. Field Sports and Open Country Pursuits.

 

     3. Rural and Urban Festivals.

 

     4. Combats and Games.

 

Several books have been written on Pershore and its surrounding villages, but this is the first attempt to look at what people of Pershore have done in their free time. Arguably, for some, there was very little time to play at the beginning of the last century, but the majority of local men, but fewer women found time to recreate, particularly on festival days.

 

We all know that Pershore was a thriving market town, but do you know how old the Great Pershore Fair is and, therefore, how it upset the respectable townspeople, because it was held in the Churchyard.

 

Do you realise that the older ones of us learnt to swim in the river, because we had no swimming bath until recently. Oh, and you will know, of course, that Pershore fishermen did not have to buy licenses and why.

 

There is something in the book about shooting and coursing, both of which was very popular in the 19th century and until relatively recently, the town was well known for its Flower Show and Athletic Sports. You might ask, why have we lost this great town festival?

 

Finally, Pershore has always been a games playing town. Cricket, rugby, soccer and hockey, all have a rich history in the town and even the Craycombe Golf Course was run by Pershore players, until Evesham men took over.

 

Well, that should be enough to whet the appetite of some of you! You can get it in any Pershore Bookshop.