Latest Images by John Stafford http://www.geograph.org.uk/ 2009-11-29T10:41:01GMT text/html 2005-09-10T21:42:20GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.013189 -1.762457 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/51781 A beautiful place to set out on a walk, and to arrive back at the end of a sunny February day. The teashop was excellent text/html 2005-07-16T21:58:57GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.184041 -2.220810 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/27851 The towpath here is closed at present (Jul 2005) while work goes on to redevelop the canalside. It will completely change the character of Diglis. Though I quite liked its neglected state. text/html 2005-07-16T21:44:08GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 51.923219 -2.266058 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/27839 A very small pub, and the first local I ever saw with a total smoking ban. The Inn sits by the river Severn near the well preserved Ashleworth Village text/html 2005-07-16T21:36:51GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.068267 -2.027672 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/27833 The beginning of a walk on Bredon Hill on this occasion, Elmley Castle is one of the prettiest Worcestershire villages text/html 2005-07-16T21:25:44GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.098356 -2.337171 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/27827 A popular feature of the popular Malvern Hills, Earnslaw Pool is a former quarry and is very deep. In the last few years improvements have been made so that there is easy access to the water's edge. text/html 2005-07-16T21:17:06GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.196636 -2.216483 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/27820 The bridge takes the Birmingham to Hereford railway over the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and Westbury Street, near the centre of Worcester. The bridge featured on a postage stamp for the 150 years of railways celebration. Various stories exist about the hole in the bridge, from dragon nests (fanciful) and civil war cannonballs (implausible) to engineering considerations (possible) and saving bricks (boring). text/html 2005-07-13T21:45:17GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.169613 -2.242670 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/26899 The old Powick Bridge (its function as the crossing for the main road to Malvern is now carried out by a newer bridge) was the site of the first and last actions of the English Civil War. The first was a skirmish in 1642 between Parliamentarian forces carrying Oxford University's gold plate and the young Prince Rupert, sent to intercept it. The last was in the Battle of Worcester in 1651, an unsuccessful action by Charles II in an attempt to regain power. text/html 2005-07-13T21:28:56GMT http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1219 John Stafford 52.185853 -2.213505 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/26891 Fort Royal's moment of fame came in September 1651, when the Royal Standard of King Charles II was raised here, in an attempt to regain power from Oliver Cromwell. The Battle of Worcester was the last military action of the post Civil War period, with "crowning glory" for Cromwell and a long flight for Charles to Shropshire, then in a circuitous route to the South coast and escape to France. Fort Royal is now a public park and a favourite with photographers for its excellent view of Worcester Cathedral.