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Wellesbourne was once two villages, named Wellesbourne Mountford and Wellesbourne Hasting, divided from one another by the River Dene. In 1947 the two parishes were merged and are now considered to be a single village. Because of this Wellesbourne lacks a conventional village centre.
Perhaps the most significant historical event in Wellesbourne was the founding in 1872 of the first trade union for agricultural workers by Joseph Arch. An event which is still celebrated by an annual parade. A somewhat unusual memorial is a plaque in the village bus shelter.
Wellesbourne is also the site of a small airfield which was used during the Second World War as a base for the No.22 Operational Training Unit who were equipped with Vicker's Wellington bombers. The airfield was a base for intensive training of UK and Commonwealth aircrews, pilots, navigators, bomb-aimers, wireless operators and air gunners. Today it is home to flying clubs who offer flying training and aircraft hire such as Avon Air Centre Ltd.
The site also holds the popular Wellesbourne Market every Saturday and Bank Holiday. It is infact one of the largest outdoor markets in the country and offers some excellent bargains.
A nearby location to Wellesbourne is Charlecote Park a grand 16th century house, in an ancient deer park on the banks of the Avon. The house has been administered by the National Trust since 1946 and covers a grand 188 acres. There are romantic stories that Shakespeare once poached deer from here, though it is uncertain if there were deer here in Shakespeare's time. Records state there has certainly been a deer herd here since the 1840's.
Another nearby location is the Compton Verney Art Gallery that houses an exceptional permanent colletion of art as well as also holding events and temporary exhibitions.
Other nearby picturesque towns and villages include Newbold Pacey, Hampton Lucy, Loxley, Walton, Compton Verney, Moreton Morrell, Ashorne, Lighthorne, Chesterton and Kineton.
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Useful Links to Information on Wellesbourne and organisations within Wellesbourne.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellesbourne
www.wellesbourneairfield.com
www.heartofengland.com/charlecotepark
Weather forecast for Wellesbourne nr Stratford upon Avon
Google Map of Wellesbourne
Local buses serving Wellesbourne
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