Bridge Over the River Avon

Since early Saxon times there has been a river crossing here at Pershore although the first recorded documentation of a bridge is in 1290 with Sir Nicholas de Mutthon who
left 12d ie 5 pence in his will for repairs to it.

The wooden structure gave way to the existing stone structure about 1413 and was traditionally built by the monks of Pershore Abbey after their abbot drowned attempting to cross the ford.

It was partly demolished on orders of the king during the English Civil War as a defence against the Parliamentarian army who were in close pursuit, however it was done in such haste that 40 men drowned when they fell in the water. You can clearly see the repair in the centre arch which is a different shape and colour from the others.

Used as a foot bridge as it wouldn't take modern traffic, then as a strategically important river crossing during WW II it was defended with pill boxes, spigot mortars, road blocks and cylindrical anti-tank obstacles which can still be seen.

It is now preserved as an ancient monument by Worcestershire County Council.

My first post in the '5 day black and white challenge' as given to me by Tero .