TENBURY, a parish in the upper division of the
hundred of DODDINGTREE, county of WORCESTER,
comprising the' market-town of Tenbury, and the hamlets
of Berrington, Sutton, and Tenbury-Foreign, and
containing 1668 inhabitants, of which number, 1008 are
in the town of Tenbury, 22 miles (N. W. by W.) from
Worcester, and 134 (N.W. by W.) from London. The
town is situated on the southern bank of the river Teme,
from which it derives its name, having been originally
called Temebury. It consists chiefly of three streets,
leading respectively to Worcester, Bromsgrove, and
Cleobury-Mortimer, partially paved, and the houses
in general but indifferently built. The surrounding
country is rich, and very productive of hops and apples,
and great quantities of cider and perry are made,
forming a principal source of trade: there is also a
considerable malting trade, and a tannery. A canal,
commenced in 1794, originally intended to extend
from Leominster to Stourport, but not completed the
whole distance, passes within half a mile of the town.
The river Teme, which here separates Worcestershire
from Shropshire, is crossed, at the northern entrance
into the town, by a bridge of six arches. The market,
granted by Henry III. in 1249, is on Tuesday; the building
for the corn market is an ancient structure, but the
butter-cross is more recent. Fairs are on April 22nd,
May 1st, July 18th, and September 26th. Petty sessions
are held once in two months, and a court leet and
court baron by the lord of the manor. The living is a
vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Rochford annexed,
in the archdeaconry of Salop, and diocese of Hereford,
rated in the king's books at £21, and in the patronage
of the Rev. George Hall. The church, dedicated to the
Virgin Mary, was rebuilt in 1777, the old building
having been swept away by a flood, in November 1770;
it is a spacious and neat edifice, having formerly had a
chantry attached to it, which was valued, at the period
of the suppression, at £5. 0. 6. per annum. There is a
place of worship for Particular Baptists. The National
school was founded in 1816, and is supported by
voluntary contributions. The principal charity arises
from some houses and lands given by Mr. Philip Baylis,
which having been let by the feoffees in 1767, on lease
for ninety-nine years, at a rental of £7. 10. per annum,
little benefit is derived from them. Races are
held, annually in July, on a good course about a mile
south of the town.