Bridge – STUDIA PHOTOS

KIRKCALDY, FIFE, SCOTLAND

Our last day at South Queensferry, we made sure we took the train across the famous Forth Rail Bridge (and back) and then drove to Kirkcaldy in Fife, the long way around by driving to the Kincardine Bridge. We returned via the newer Queensferry Crossing Bridge so have now crossed all three Forth bridges.

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Remembrance Monument, The Rail Bridge Bistro, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:-
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND BOYS WHO WORKED ON THE FORTH RAIL BRIDGE AND THOSE WHO DIED DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION

Train from Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh-Aberdeen Line, Dalmeny, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Forth Road Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Train Emerging from Tunnel, Fife Circle Line, North Queensferry Railway Station, Fife, Scotland UK

Tanker Berthed, Hound Point Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Former Coast Guard Quarters, Battery Road, North Queensferry, Fife, Scotland UK

Former accommodation of married Coast Guard officers, patrolmen and their families. The property was effected as a result of the Forth Bridge Railway Act of 1873, which gave the Company the right to acquire the old Coast Guard Station to make way for the building of the then new Forth Bridge. However, the Company was obliged to construct suitable new Coast Guard buildings to the satisfaction of the Admiralty. It was as late as 1911 before the site was disponed to the Admiralty by the Bridge Company, the site being occupied between 1873-1911 under the terms of the Act. In 1899 the Royal Navy took over an area of the site and formed a gun battery which was used during the First World War. Prior to this, the six cottages were built between 1882 and 1883 as a Coast Guard Station and these consisted of an officer’s house, five cottages and a Watch House, also known as High Battery (formally to E of cottages). The present signal station tower was erected around 1917 and it was at this time that the Coast Guard Station was dis-used. The cottages were used between the Wars to accommodate the Forth River Pilots. It is understood that there were no gun emplacements on the site during the Second World War. The existing external WCs became redundant and are now used as stores.

Inchgarvie, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Uninhabited now but was inhabited at various periods going back to late 15th century. The place has quite an interesting history that can be read here;

Betty Nicols, 297 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Historical documentation for the property dates back to 1741 for a hostelry on the site and the pub as it is now was built as an exact replica of the original in 1902 with a plaque on the outside of the building confirming this.
The pub has a reputation for ghosts and there have been several visits from psychics and the Scottish Paranormal Society, who have found activity in all parts of the pub. In particular the cellar area, which is part of the original building and is reputed to be built on a monks’ cemetery, has a strange atmosphere and presence and the lounge area is said to be haunted by a man and dog. The cellar area, where the outlook was to the sea, contains a blocked up tunnel which is believed to have been used by smugglers in bygone years and during the Second World War Polish airmen were billeted in the cellar area.

Former King’s Theatre, 262 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Masonic Hall, West Quality Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription above door:-

“MASONIC HALL. PRESENTED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL OF ROSSLYN 1890”
A church from 1845 and a Masonic Hall from 1890.

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Built in 1576 and seriously damaged by Cromwell’s troops storing munitions that caused an explosion in 1651. Extensively restored in 2009.
Category A Listed Building.

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Steps, Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription in pavement:

“The Royal Burgh of Dysart’s mercat cross stood near to this spot”

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Formerly The Mechanics Institute, 54-56 High Street, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Baxters was a pub but is now permanently closed.

Coat of Arms, The Mechanics Institute, High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

” Sigil. de Dysert.” The “General Armory,” however, blazons this as a coat-of arms, with the field argent and the tree proper.

The Pineapple emblem may be associated with William of Wallace.

Coastal View to West Wemyss, The Walk, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Saipem 7000 & Fidra Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK

Oil Platform, Firth of Forth, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

“The Walk”, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s Church Tower, Shore Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s is a 6 storey church tower dating to around 1500. St Serf’s church was abandoned in 1802 and demolished in 1807 and only the tower and cemetery remains now.

Erosion Defences, Beach Front, Pan Ha’, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Oil Rigs, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK

Boat on a Slip, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Stone Breakwater, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Stone Breakwater & Slipway, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Derelict Harbourside Building, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Harbourmaster’s House, Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Now operates as a Café

Lamp, Car Park, Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

HEXHAM & ALLENDALE TOWN, NORTHUMBERLAND

Google Maps View of Locations

Benson of Allerwash Memorial Gates, Hexham Park, Cnr Hencotes & Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Erected in 1912 in memory of Lieut. Col. G. E. Benson of Allerwash, [died 1901], by his brother. It is a Grade II Listed Building.

Queen’s Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

“Completed in 1866 as the Town Hall and Corn Exchange, by the 1920s it contained a dance hall and the Queen’s Hall cinema. It was saved from demolition in 1975 and re-opened as the Queen’s Hall Arts centre with a library, art rooms, theatre and gallery. It is a Grade II Listed Building.

Arched Memorial Gateway, Seles Park, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Descriptions on the dedication plaques.

Unusual Recess in Wall, Hexham Abbey Museum, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Stone Arch, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Park Entrance, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Bridge Structure over Halgut Burn, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Halgut Burn, Hexham Park, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Hexham House is a Grade II Listed Building

Hexham House & Garden, Gilesgate, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Park Bench, Hexham Park, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Hexham Bandstand, The Sele, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

The bandstand built in 1912, is a Grade II Listed Building

Happy Dogs, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

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We came upon these two dogs bounding around the park and leaping onto and completely over this wall.

Garden, The Parish Centre, Cowgarth, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Letters, 9 Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Planter, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Doorway, Trinity Methodist Church, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Archway, Hencotes, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

The Historical Plaque on the Left Side of the Arch

Excelsior Buildings, Battle Hill, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

The Globe Inn, Battle Hill, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Street Sign, St Marys Chare, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Chare:-
Noun. chare (plural chares) Alternative form of char (“turn, task, chore, worker”). (Northern England) A narrow lane or passage between houses in a town.

Door, St Marys Chare, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

The Grapes, 1 St Marys Chare, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Old Pharmacy Sign, Fore Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

The intricate carvings above Gibson’s Pharmacy in Hexham were produced in 1916 by a Belgian refugee. The contents of the pharmacy are now held in the Science Museum, London, while the shop has found another use.

“Shambles” Old Town Market, Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building.

Old Door, Fore Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Anglo-Saxon Crypt, Hexham Abbey, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Queen Etheldreda of Northumbria gave Wilfrid land on which he built the Benedictine monastery dedicated to St Andrew which became Hexham Abbey and Cathedral. Only the crypt survives, but that shows how St Wilfrid’s great church was built from stone quarried by the Romans four or five centuries before. The crypt is over 1300 years old.

St Aidan’s Church, Hencote, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Memorial to George Elliott Benson, Cnr Hencotes & Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

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Hexham Community Church, Cnr Hencotes & Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, England UK

Pubs, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

The King’s Head & The Golden Lion

The Golden Lion Hotel, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building

Doorway, Victoria House, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

Door Lamp, The King’s Head, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

St Cuthbert’s Church, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

Grade II Listed Building

Parish church on medieval site built in 1874, except for lower part of tower which survives from the church of 1807

Grave Stones, St Cuthbert’s Church, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

Graves of:-
George Maughan 1760-1848
Joseph Shield 1793-1873
Nicholas Rowell 1753-1842

Holly, St Cuthbert’s Church, Market Street, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

Former Trustee Savings Bank, Market Place, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building. Site of the bank since 1838 with these premises erected in 1873.

Former Bank with Night Safe, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

I was unable to find any history about this building. It is now residential.

Allendale Inn, The Peth, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

Hotspur House, 4 Arnison Terrace, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building used as a B&B (currently for sale)

River Allen & Cupola Bridge, Allendale Town, Northumberland, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building constructed in 1778

London, United Kingdom 2019 XIV

The final contribution of my London Riverside Walk to The Prince Albert Bridge. We flew back to Australia the next day and due to circumstances globally, no further travel has been possible.

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Batterseas Bridge Steps, Batterseas Bridge, Battersea, London, England UK

Swan Sculptures, Riverside Walk, Battersea Bridge, Battersea

Riverside Development, Riverside Walk, Battersea

Ransome’s Dock, River Thames, Battersea

The dock was excavated and constructed in 1884. It was designed to take not just lighters and barges, but also coastal steamers. It was wide and deep enough to allow craft to turn, as well as allowing two rows of vessels to pass, and to leave on the lowest of tides.

Underground ice wells were built for the Natural Ice Company Ltd which had premises beside the dock to store ice that was shipped direct from Norway. It was owned by an amalgamation of block ice trade merchants. During the 1920s, with advances in refrigeration technology, the store was replaced by an ice-making plant above ground and an ice making factory was built in Parkgate Road. The factory remained until some time in the 1970s. Parts of the building became a restaurant in the late 1990s.

Waterside Point Development, Riverside Walk, Battersea

Battersea Bridge, River Thames, Battersea

Prince Alfred Bridge, River Thames, Battersea

Toll Booths, Prince Alfred Bridge, River Thames, Battersea

Toll Booth Sign, Prince Albert Bridge, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea

Bridge Supports, Prince Albert Bridge, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea

Prince Albert Pub, 85 Albert Bridge Road, Battersea

“Proper Job”, Prince Albert Pub, 85 Albert Bridge Road, Battersea

This is an excellent beer that I first tried in 2014 in Chagford, Devon back in 2014 on a previous visit to UK. It has an older brother called “Big Job” that is even better.

Albert Gate, Battersea Park, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea

Vintage Lamp, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea

“Atlanta” by Francis Derwent Wood, Chelsea Embankment Gardens, Chelsea

Egyptian Themed Bench, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea

The Courtyard House, 60-61 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

George Sparkes Memorial Fountain, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea

Inscribed:
In affectionate remembrance of the late George Sparkes of Bromley in Kent, formerly judge at Madras in the East India Company’s civil service, a great and good man, gifted with every refined feeling and much esteemed by all who knew him.
Died 30 January 1878 in his 68th year.
Erected by his widow AD 1880.

The cost of the memorial was £525

Sir Thomas More, St Thomas More Gardens, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Vintage Lamp, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea

Chelsea Old Church, Old Church Street, Chelsea

This church dates to 1157

Moored Boats, Cardogan Pier, Prince Albert Bridge, River Thames, Chelsea

Decorative, Battersea Bridge, Chelsea

Thames Clipper, River Thames, Battersea

Statue, James McNeill Whistler, Battersea Bridge Gardens, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Whistler – 1834 – 1903 – An American artist based in London – best know for the painting “Whistler’s Mother”.

Crosby Moran Hall, Chelsea Embankment, Chelsea

Crosby Hall is a historic building in London. The Great Hall was built in 1466 and originally known as Crosby Place in Bishopsgate, in the City of London. It was moved in 1910 to its present site in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. It now forms part of a private residence, which in 2021 was renamed Crosby Moran Hall.

Although fragmentary and not on its original site, this is the only example of a medieval City merchant house surviving in London.

Notable residents include:-

Richard III of England, Duke of Gloucester, 1483
Catherine of Aragon, 1501
Bartholomew Reade, Lord Mayor of London, 1501–1505
Sir Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of England, 1523–4.
William Roper (son-in-law of Thomas More), 1547
John Spencer, Lord Mayor of London, 1594
Sir Walter Raleigh, 1601.
The Earl of Northampton between 1609 and 1671,
Dowager Countess of Pembroke, Mary Sidney from 1609–1615.
Headquarters of the East India Company, 1621–38

Houseboats, Chelsea Yacht & Boat Company, Cheyne Pier, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Chelsea Yacht & Boat Company is home to the oldest working boatyard in central London.

Boat Pier, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Historical Residence of Sylvia Pankhurst, 120 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea

Cornwall Mansions, Cremorne Road, Chelsea

A 3 bedroom flat will be Guide price £1,275,000 – about AUD $2,275.000

See Full Building

London, United Kingdom 2019 XIII

The walk continues…

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River Thames, from Wandsworth Park, Putney Bridge Road, Wandsworth, London, England UK

Derelict Barge, River Thames, Wandsworth

Houseboats, Prospect Moorings, Lightermans Walk, Wandsworth

River Traffic, River Thames, Wandsworth

Mooring Block, Prospect Moorings, Lightermans Walk, Wandsworth

“Fall” by Alan Thornhill, Riverside Path, Wandsworth

Houseboats, Riverside Quarter Pier, Wandsworth

River Traffic, River Thames, Riverside Quarter Pier, Wandsworth

Houseboats, Riverside Quarter Pier, Wandsworth

Coptain Apartments, Riverside Quarter, Eastfields Avenue, Wandsworth

You can rent an apartment in here at about £2800pcm (AUD$5,000)

Bell Lane Creek & River Wandle, Enterprise Way, Wandsworth

The River Wandle is a tributary of the River Thames in south London, England. With a total length of about 9 miles (14 km), the river passes through the London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth, where it reaches the Thames. Shortly before reaching the Thames the navigable Bell Lane Creek splits from the river, rejoining close to the confluence.

To Riverside Walk, Smugglers Way, Wandsworth

Freight Barges, River Thames, Wandsworth

Fountain, Nickols Walk, Wandsworth

The Ship, 41 Jews Road, Waterside, Wandsworth

River View, Riverside Walk, Wandsworth

Battersea Railway Bridge in the background

Riverside Development in Fulham, Thames Path, Fulham

Ensign House, Riverside Walk, Battersea Reach, Wandsworth

Derelict Pier, River Thames, Riverside Walk, Wandsworth

Edmiston London Heliport, Bridges Court Road, Battersea

“Departure”, Edmiston London Heliport, Bridges Court Road, Battersea

London’s only licensed heliport since 1959

Moored Boats, Imperial Wharf Marina, River Thames, Battersea Reach, Fulham

Battersea Railway Bridge, River Thames, Battersea Reach, Battersea

Albion Quay, Riverside Walk, Battersea

Battersea Railway Bridge, River Thames, Riverside Walk, Battersea

Tug Christian, River Thames, Battersea, London

St Mary’s Church, Battersea Church Road, Battersea

Cemetery, St Mary’s Church, Battersea Church Road, Battersea

This is the burial place of the infamous Benedict Arnold.

Chelsea Wharf Development, Lots Road, Chelsea

Chelsea Creek enters the Thames adjacent to this development

Tug Resource, Battersea Bridge, River Thames, Battersea

Battersea Bridge, River Thames, Battersea

“In Town” by John Ravera, Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea

London, United Kingdom. 2019 X

After returning from Italy, I spent the last couple of days wandering about Hammersmith in London.

Entrance Gates & West Lodge, Margravine Cemetery, Margravine Road, Hammersmith, London, England UK

Opened in 1868 on a site previously occupied by market gardens and orchards, known as Fulham Fields. The first burial took place on 3 November 1869 and closed for new burials in 1951.

The cemetery grounds are also the location of a War Memorial.

Lyons and Company First World War Memorial, Margravine Cemetery, Margravine Road, Hammersmith

See the story of Lyons and Company

Memorial, George Thomas Brown & Amelia Brown, Margravine Cemetery

Memorial, John Francis Taylor Ware, “Little John” – Margravine Cemetery

Died 11 December 1904 – Aged 6.

Memorial, George Robert Broad & Caroline Broad, Margravine Cemetery

In Memory, Abraham George Smith, Margravine Cemetery

In Memory, James Frederick Fletcher, Margravine Cemetery

Memorial Wall, Margravine Cemetery

Inscribed: Those Honoured Here Dies in the Service of Their Country and Lie Buried Elsewhere in this Cemetery

A Child’s Grave, Margravine Cemetery

In Loving Memory of George J Dyett Jan 5, 1882 Aged 5 months also his Father William Dyett 7 Jan 1904

The Parker Family, Margravine Cemetery

Squirrels, Margravine Cemetery

Cemetery Grounds, Margravine Cemetery

Chapel, Margravine Cemetery

Hammersmith Bridge, River Thames, Hammersmith

This is the second Hammersmith Bridge, built on the pillars of the first which had opened in 1828.

At the turn of the 19th century Hammersmith was still a hamlet of Fulham. To cross the river you had to use the ferry service at either Chiswick Mall or at Ferry Lane in Barnes. A bridge to cross the river at Hammersmith had been mooted for many years and, once an approach road on the Surrey side had been established, the Hammersmith Bridge Company was formed and a brief for an iron bridge was drawn up.

The brief was fulfilled by William Tierney Clark in 1824 when he designed a “bridge of suspension with a view to the strictest economy”. Clark was a respected engineer, apprenticed at one time to Thomas Telford. He designed part of the West Middlesex Waterworks nearby, where he lived and worked as chief engineer.

He was appointed to work as consulting engineer on the bridge, and there is a fine memorial to him on the North Wall of St Paul’s Church, Hammersmith, depicting the original bridge. The foundation stone was laid on 7th May, 1825, by the Duke of Sussex (Not Harry!) and it was opened in October 1827 to a fanfare of fireworks and music. The Bridge was a wonder of its time, an impressive feat of engineering and described as ‘as handsome as it was useful’. It had two large York stone arches and graceful white chains and ironwork. At each end were a pair of toll houses, painted white and manned by liveried toll men managing the passage of people and livestock.

It was a huge success and justly received much admiration, but it was not terribly practical. The walkways ended at the arches so that pedestrians had to join the busy carriageway, and it was also rather narrow. The Toll was scrapped in 1880 and the huge increase in traffic put a strain on the already inadequate structure. It was decided to re-build the bridge rather than repair it and so the bridge was replaced.

Sir Joseph Bazalgette was Chief Engineer to the Metropolitan Board of Works from 1858-1889, during which time he designed new bridges at Hammersmith, Putney and Battersea, oversaw the construction of the Thames Embankment and built 83 miles of intercepting sewers throughout London. In 1877 he began to question the safety of the original Hammersmith Bridge and recommended that urgent repairs take place. After 1880, when the toll was scrapped and traffic increased, the repairs became even more urgent. In fact in November 1881, Police Constable Bullock was leaving the footway to pass through the tower arch on the Barnes side and he fell through a hole in the footway into the river!

After a full assessment it was decided to re-build the bridge and a design by Bazalgette was approved. Traffic was diverted onto a temporary wooden bridge in 1885 and works began. The new bridge was opened by Prince Albert Victor of Wales in June, 1887. However, it was built on the same piers as the previous bridge and is therefore of the same narrow dimensions and unsuitable for heavy loads. Inevitably, and again, this bridge too has proved insufficient to cope with modern traffic; a weight and width restriction has been imposed. Nevertheless, the bridge is an attractive feature in the river landscape, traditionally painted green and gold with colourful coats of arms.

There was an attempt to destroy it by the IRA in March 1939, mainly averted by the quick thinking of a pedestrian who threw the bomb, in a case, into the river where it exploded, damaging one of the pillars, and more recently in 2000. The bridge has had to be closed to traffic for structural repairs, which creates a backwater from what are generally very busy approach roads. It is currently closed to all traffic both motorised and pedestrian and it is expected to take another six years to effect repairs. (Announced Mar 2021)

The Blue Anchor, Lower Mall, Hammersmith

Originally titled the Blew Anchor, this is one of the area’s oldest pubs, licensed in 1722 but probably on the site for many years before. It was a popular watering hole of watermen.

The Old City Arms, 107 Hammersmith Bridge Road, Hammersmith, est: 1827

Rutland Arms, 15 Lower Mall, Hammersmith

Built in 1849 and lost its top floor and balcony during the German bombing of London during “The Blitz”.

Pre-bombing image:-

Lower Mall, Hammersmith

The Pear Tree, Margravine Road, Hammersmith

Woodbridge/Guildford, Perth, Western Australia July 2020

Afternoon coffee at the “Riverside at Woodbridge” and then to Barkers Bridge over the Swan River at Guildford.

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“Woodbridge”, Ford Street, Woodbridge, Western Australia c.1885

Captain James Stirling took up land here in 1829, the same year the Swan River Colony was settled. He named his property ‘Woodbridge’ as it reminded him of the area around the home of his wife’s family in Surrey, England. Stirling had a small cottage built but spent little time there. At the end of his term as Governor in 1839, Stirling left the colony and leased the property to various tenants.

Charles Harper married Fanny de Burgh in 1879 and the following year took up a lease at Woodbridge. In 1883 land was purchased and the Harpers began the construction of a large family home. Two years later, Charles, Fanny, their three sons and one daughter moved into the completed house.