The new arrival didn’t go down particularly well with locals, prompting complaints from residents, councillors and the local MP. Thankfully, Royal Mail has since removed the offending postbox, restoring the town’s golden landmark to its former glory.
One of the surviving railway bridges that once carried the Alcester Branch between Alcester and Bearley crosses the River Alne near Aston Cantlow. In its working days, trains would have passed over this bridge multiple times each day.
The bridge seen today is not the original structure. In January 1901, severe flooding caused the River Alne to burst its banks, washing away the original steel girders. According to the book The Alcester Branch, the displaced girders were never recovered and are believed to still lie in the river beside the bridge abutments.
I ventured down to the bridge to photograph what remains today.
The disused railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, viewed from the south on 25 August 2026.
Standing on the river bank you get a good view of the bridge from the south. One of the three flood arches are visible on the Bearley end, to the right of the photo.
The disused railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, viewed from the north on 25 August 2026.The disused railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, viewed from the north on 25 August 2026.The surviving riveted iron girder of the disused railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, photographed on 25 August 2026.Close-up of the surviving riveted iron girders of the disused railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, photographed on 25 August 2026.The surviving ironwork beneath the former railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, photographed on 25 August 2026.The brick abutment and underside of the former railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, looking towards Alcester on 25 August 2026.Close-up of the brick abutment and adjoining iron girder of the former railway bridge at Aston Cantlow, looking towards Alcester on 25 August 2026.
What isn’t visible on the banks are the two masonry blocks at the top of the abutments. Are these original or were they put in after the re-construction in 1901?
The brick abutment beneath the former railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, looking towards Bearley on 25 August 2026.A top-down view of the surviving ironwork of the former railway bridge over the River Alne at Aston Cantlow, photographed on 25 August 2026.
You’d be hard pressed to find many photographs of this bridge, or indeed much information about it, outside of a handful of local history books. Although the structure now shows clear signs of age and decay, it remains in surprisingly good condition considering that the last train crossed it around 75 years ago.
I’m a firm believer in preserving our local history. We would miss these things if they were to disappear, so at the very least, it’s important that we document them while they are still here.
All photograph’s on this page were taken on Tuesday the 25th of August 2026.
Inside the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire, on 15 August 2026.
The Kingfisher Shopping Centre has been at the heart of Redditch town centre for decades, and its long covered malls remain a familiar part of the town for generations of shoppers.
This photograph looks along one of the centre’s main shopping areas from the upper level. The glass roof floods the mall with natural light, while the view below captures shoppers making their way between the shops on a summer afternoon.
This is one of my favourite vantage points in the centre.
The Turks Head on Alcester High Street with its new pub sign, photographed on 13 August 2026, with St Nicholas Church in the background.
A familiar sight on Alcester High Street has had a small but noticeable change, with The Turks Head unveiling a new pub sign.
The new hanging sign, photographed on 13 August 2026, can be seen prominently above the pavement outside the pub. It features a refreshed design with The Turks Head lettering beneath a colourful Celtic-style knot.
The photograph also captures a particularly colourful summer view along the High Street towards St Nicholas Church, with Alcester’s hanging baskets in full bloom and red, white and blue bunting stretching across the street.
The Turks Head occupies a prominent position in the centre of Alcester, and its hanging sign has long formed part of the High Street streetscape. The new design represents another small change to the town centre and one worth recording as part of Alcester’s changing appearance.
The Globe Roundabout in Alcester on the morning of 7 August 2026, with the distinctive Globe sculpture at its centre.The Globe sculpture at the centre of Alcester’s Globe Roundabout on the morning of 7 August 2026, surrounded by historic buildings and summer bunting.
Alcester High Street on a bright summer morning, decorated with red, white and blue bunting and Union flags, with St Nicholas Church at the end of the street.St Nicholas Church framed by red, white and blue bunting and Union flags along Alcester High Street on a bright summer morning.
Alcester’s annual Court Leet Street Market returned to the High Street on Sunday, bringing together traders, entertainers and visitors from across Warwickshire. The event, organised by the Alcester Court Leet, is one of the town’s best-loved traditions and features market stalls, live music, competitions and family entertainment throughout the afternoon. The market officially runs from 1pm until 5pm and forms part of Alcester’s busy programme of community events.
One of the busiest spots during this year’s event was outside the Turks Head pub, where local band The Texan Peacocks attracted large crowds with a live performance. From the air, the scale of the gathering was easy to appreciate, with visitors filling the High Street and surrounding historic streets.
The drone photographs below show the market from a unique perspective, capturing St Nicholas Church, Alcester’s historic town centre and the rolling Warwickshire countryside that surrounds the town.
Alcester Street Market viewed from above during the June 2026 market, with stalls lining the historic High Street.A wide aerial view of Alcester Street Market, with the High Street filled with visitors and market stalls.Crowds gather outside the Turks Head pub as the Texan Peacocks entertain visitors during Alcester Street Market.Visitors gather outside the Turks Head pub while browsing Alcester Street Market on a busy June afternoon.A bird’s-eye view of Alcester Street Market, with visitors enjoying the market and live entertainment outside the Turks Head pub.St Nicholas Church overlooks Alcester Street Market during a busy June market day.Alcester’s historic town centre surrounded by rolling Warwickshire countryside during the June Street Market.
The Court Leet Street Market remains one of Alcester’s most popular annual events, bringing together local traders, entertainers and visitors from across Warwickshire. Judging by the crowds filling the High Street and gathering outside the Turks Head, this year’s event was another successful day for the town.
