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Shipston-on-Stour
Shipston High Street
Shipston-on-Stour shown within Warwickshire
Population	4,456 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	SP258403
Parish	Shipston-on-Stour
District	Stratford-on-Avon
Shire county	Warwickshire
Region	West Midlands
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR
Postcode district	CV36 CV37
Dialling code	01608
Police	Warwickshire
Fire	Warwickshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Stratford-on-Avon
European Parliament	West Midlands
List of places: UK • England • Warwickshire

Coordinates: 52°03′36″N 1°37′23″W / 52.06, -1.623

Shipston-on-Stour is a small town and civil parish within the Stratford-on-Avon district of the southern part of Warwickshire, England. It is close to the borders with Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. The 2001 census recorded a population of 4,456 in the town.

The town is located on the River Stour in a rural part of southern Warwickshire, roughly 15 miles (24 km) south of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is in the northern part of the Cotswolds, and is a focal point for the surrounding rural area.

It is located on the A3400 road (the old A34) between Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford and was once an important stopping place for stagecoaches. Many former coaching inns remain in the town in the area of the High Street.

Etymologically, Shipston is derived from the Anglo-Saxon "Scepwaeisctune" meaning "Sheep-wash-Town", and the town had for a long time a regionally important sheep market.

Following a fall in the demand for local wool, the local economy was in part sustained by the opening in 1836 of a branch line running from the horse-drawn Stratford and Moreton Tramway, built ten years before and linking Moreton-in-Marsh with Stratford. In 1889 the line was upgraded to allow the operation of steam trains from Moreton to Shipston. Passenger services to the town were withdrawn in 1929 and the line closed completely in 1960.

Notable people born in Shipston include the actor Richard Morant and the 19th century archaeologist Francis Haverfield.

Shipston lay within an outlying part of the historic county of Worcestershire, where it formed part of the Oswaldslow Hundred. In 1931 it was merged with Warwickshire. Until 1974 it was the centre of the Shipston-on-Stour Rural District.

It lies within the Diocese of Worcester, and the town's church of St. Edmund's was largely rebuilt in 1855, although retaining its 15th century tower.

The town was notably commemorated by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees in the song 'Cold be my Days' on his 1970 solo album 'Sing Slowly Sisters'. To wit "Cold be my days in Shipston-on-Stour". He stated in a BBC Radio 4 interview in May 2007 that this relates to his youthful experiences, riding horses with his brother Barry.

Local sport is an important part of life for many people living in and around Shipston-on-Stour.

Shipston Excelsior Football Club is part of a more general Sports Club based at the Southern end of the town. Shipston Excelsior Football Club runs a number of mens teams. They include: The First Team who play in the Midland Combination League and the Reserves who play in the Stratford Alliance League. There is also an over 35's team and a "Colts" team.

The Sports Club also hosts successful hockey, cricket, bowls, and tennis sides.

Shipston on Stour Rugby Football Club, which is separate from the sports club and based at the northern end of the town, was formed in 1963 by a group of Masters and Old Boys from Shipston High School. For the first season the 'Rams' were a nomadic club with no pitch of their own, relying on the High School facilities and using local pubs for post-match refreshments. By 1964 they were fielding two sides and, by the generosity of a local farmer, had a pitch of their own at Darlingscote known as 'The Bowl'. In 1968 they rented an old barn at the rear of The Bell Inn and after with assistance from Whitbread Flowers, were able to use this for the Clubhouse and bar. Then in 1973 the club were forced to vacate this building but with the assistance of local benefactors, the local council, the County Council, the RFU and Middlesex RFU, not to mention Club members, plans for a new Clubhouse and ground at Mayo Road were drawn up. In 2000 the club moved again to a larger building next door, this purpose built Rugby club was funded with finance from a Sport England lottery grant. The Club now runs three senior teams, a Veterans team and Mini and Junior Rugby at eight different age groups. The 2002 season saw the first team run out at Twickenham for the Powergen Junior Vase Final.

• Warwickshire Towns & Villages, by Geoff Allen (2000) ISBN 1-85058-642-X

• Shipston-on-Stour Town Council: has a useful blog and event listing
• Old postcards of Shipston
• St. Edmund's and Shipston (CofE) Parish
• Website of Shipston Rugby Football Club - 'The Rams'
• Official website of Shipston Excelsior Football Team