156 EVESHAM AND BENGEWORTH.

but the two greatest modern improvements of the town were the opening of the Oxford and Wolverhampton Railway here on May Day, 1852 (a day ever to be remembered on account of the profuse hospitality of the Mayor, Mr. Henry Workman),* and the establishment of the new bridge and pleasure grounds on the banks of Avon, through the indefatigable exertions of the same gentleman. The old bridge, though picturesque to an antiquary, was unsafe and incommodious, and the river was choked with osiers, or what are here called "aits." All is changed now and a beautiful approach thus made to the fine old borough. Mr. and Miss Workman opened the new bridge on the 12th of March, 1856; and the pleasure grounds, called "Workman's Gardens," were opened in May, 1864. Few persons can estimate the labour and anxiety bestowed in raising the large sums necessary for these great works and in carefully guiding and watching them to completion. Nor did Mr. Workman's efforts rest here, as about the year 1858 he presented a weighing machine to the inhabitants, and he has still in hand the important affair of the management of the Corn Exchange. This market, prior to Mr. Workman's mayoralty, was held in the street, being of course a great obstruction to traffic; and his project was to remove the market into the Town Hall, in which he at length succeeded. An unfortunate dispute, however, between him and the present Mayor and Corporation as to the proposed enlargement of the Town Hall, and letting the same to the farmers and dealers, has resulted in an effort by the latter party to remove their market to another building, in which they will probably succeed - a conclusion deeply to be deplored.

Broad and handsome streets - Leland calls them "divers praty streets" - with frequent specimens of curious and picturesque old cross-timbered houses and ancient and comfortable inns, distinguish the town. Population of the borough at last census, 4,680. There is no staple trade or manufacture, though

* A second line has since been added, which passes through Evesham from Tewkesbury to Alcester.