A Profile of Stratford-upon-Avon & Holy Trinity Church
In 1950 the distinguished English theatre critic, J.C. Trewin, wrote a book about Stratford-upon-Avon, where, in the preface he states that he…“fell in love with the town from the Gower Monument to the American Fountain, from the limes in Holy Trinity Avenue to the distant obelisk at Welcome, from the canal towing-path to the Avon meadows.”
Trewin, if coming by road from London, would have entered Stratford across Sir Hugh Clopton’s bridge, built in the late 15th century. Sir Hugh had, at the time of building the bridge, become the Lord Mayor of London, creating, with the bridge, a future strong link between the capitol and the market town. The bridge is still in daily, heavy use today. Only when it collapses, perhaps in another five hundred years, will the town possibly get its much needed bypass.
Whether you love the town or not, in the 70 years since Trewin’s book was first published, Stratford-upon-Avon has, in many ways changed almost beyond recognition, yet in others not at all.
Like many another town in the UK Stratford became, for several months this year, a ghost town, with the streets deserted, and most businesses closed. I know, for a lot of residents, including me, it felt good to get your town back for a while, and enjoy walking by the river and not have to dodge runners and cyclists…
