Belbroughton

Belbroughton is a village and civil parish in the Bromsgrove District of Worcestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 2,380. It is about six miles north of Bromsgrove, six miles east of Kidderminster and four miles south of Stourbridge, in Worcestershire. The villages of Clent are nearby.

History
Belbroughton was at the core of the North Worcestershire scythe-making district. Many of the mills of the area were formerly blade mills used for sharpening them, after a scythesmith had forged them from iron, with a thin strip of steel along the cutting edge. From the late 18th century until about 1870, the Waldron family of Field House Clent were the leading manufacturers. They were succeeded by Isaac Nash, whose business finally closed in about 1970. Scythes were formerly not just made in Belbroughton, but also several adjacent parishes, including Chaddesley Corbett.

Facilities
Facilities in the village include a village shop, a post office and recreational centre with tennis courts. The area also has a number of public houses in Belbroughton itself and in neighbouring villages.

Education
Belbroughton Primary School is located in the village, after which students progress to Haybridge High School, in the nearby village of Hagley.

Politics
Belbroughton is in the constituency of Bromsgrove a traditionally Conservative area with the current MP being Sajid Javid member of the Conservative Party (UK).

Local events
Since 1996 Belbroughton has hosted Scarecrow Weekend the last weekend of each September. Villagers create scarecrows and display them outside their homes. It has proved very popular over recent years with thousands of visitors, raising tens of thousands of pounds for local organisations and amenities.

Flooding
On 7 September 2008 heavy rain caused Belne Brook, which runs through the village, to swell. The rising water was held back by a seven foot wall but the pressure of the water caused it to break. The surge of water tore through the village sweeping away cars and causing severe water damage (and in some cases structural damage) to many properties. The current was so strong, it made tarmac ripple.