Murky day for opening of bridge

Tuesday 13th May 2008, 11:49AM BST.

It was a pretty murky day when the Jackfield and Coalport war memorial footbridge was opened on September 2, 1922.

This photo was loaned by our regular contributor Paul France, who says it was taken on the Jackfield side of the river.

He says: “There is a note with the picture that reads: ‘Third left is George Hadley, one of the instigators of the Memorial Bridge.

“George had a son who was lost in the 1914/18 war whilst serving in the Navy. George was a driver on the LNWR/LMS Coalport line and lived at Railway Cottages. Because of his stout frame he was often referred to as plum (short for plump)’.

“I don’t know whether the note is correct, but the third left man could not be described as plump when the picture was taken! I’m pretty sure the man with the walking stick on the bottom step is Jacky Harrison, who was the village baker for many years and served in the war.”

Other pictures of the bridge opening show huge crowds there for the event. Perhaps this photo was taken after they had dispersed, or maybe they were just kept out of view by the photographer.

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