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Archive => Archived Boards => Local Issues => Topic started by: admin on June 06, 2008, 08:49:51 AM

Title: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 06, 2008, 08:49:51 AM
A formal Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony has been arranged for Sunday 22nd June. Invites have gone out to all the organsations, groups and individuals who helped us to raise funds during the long campaign. We also hope that everyone who has supported our efforts by writing letters, signing the petition or through sponsorship will join us to celebrate the achievement of our aim to restore the Brabyns Iron Bridge to its former glory!

The ceremony will begin at 11.30am with music from Marple and Hawk Green Brass Bands commencing at 11am.

The ceremony has been tied in with Carnival weekend and is timed to allow people to enjoy the Etherow Raft Race afterwards, which commences at 1pm. Look out for our banners publicising the ceremony during Carnival Day itself on Saturday 21st.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: nbt on June 06, 2008, 09:53:26 AM
Is the bridge actually open for use already? I had heard it was due to be opened last week.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 06, 2008, 11:10:55 AM
It was due to open by 31st May but it is not yet due to further delays, as we have been reporting for some time in the project diary. The last forecast was for it to be opened on Friday 13th :o but there has been further slippage since that date was declared. I should be going down there later today and will find out what the latest situation is for the diary:

www.marple-uk.com/ironbridge
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: nbt on June 06, 2008, 11:59:49 AM
Thanks Mark, 31st May was the date I'd been told (came from the stockport ROW department) but I did notice the mention of delays in the diary hence the question
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 07, 2008, 08:43:41 AM
The diary has now been updated again and there are new photos in the Virtual Tour. Latest forecast for the bridge to reopen for public use is late afternoon Friday 13th June but this is dependant on decent weather next week allowing all the remaining work to be finished.

www.marple-uk.com/ironbridge

http://www.visitmarple.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=0
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Lisa Oldham on June 09, 2008, 11:02:53 AM
I was sort of (totally selflishly) hoping for it to be delayed again as I'm working on the 22nd   :(

Hey ho... I'll have to cope with a walk over it on Friday 13th (!!) instead
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 13, 2008, 11:51:43 AM
The Iron Bridge will be open to the public from about 6pm this evening. The formal opening ceremony will be next Sunday 22nd June, as described below. Some photos of the scaffold removal and final tidy up have been added to the Virtual Tour at : http://www.visitmarple.co.uk/photos/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=0

You can also get a great view from the web cam now at www.marple-uk.com/webcam as the restored bridge is fully revealed.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Cycling Duk on June 13, 2008, 04:57:33 PM
 ;D   I have just walked across the Iron Bridge a 16-20 hrs today (Friday 13th June) I was told that I was the first non-workman to cross, so it is now open.

Cycling Duk 
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Peter on June 13, 2008, 05:24:50 PM
You didn't tell us what you thought of the restoration!!!
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 13, 2008, 06:28:12 PM
Technically you were a close third, unless you class these two as workmen  ::)

(http://www.marple-uk.com/misc/Img_3621a.jpg)
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Cycling Duk on June 14, 2008, 10:12:23 AM
 ;D   Well I thought the bridge was excellent although I would have preferred the bridge as it used to be without the large green rails and stainless steel wires, but that is due to the increasingly nanny state we live in today. My Dog also was well chuffed at being able to access the path down by the river and up onto the canal with the ability to access Romiley and Marple for shopping and the Strines direction for long walks and back via the Roman Bridge.

As a cyclist I do not like the chicane at the Rollins Lane end, not sure that you can get a Tandem through there or a bike with a buggy in tow.

We are both really pleased that it is open again.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Rachael on June 14, 2008, 01:12:13 PM
Myself and my family are really looking forward to the events next weekend, with the carnival and the iron bridge events, its going to be a great weekend. :)
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: andy+kirsty on June 17, 2008, 03:07:20 PM
You didn't tell us what you thought of the restoration!!!

I would have prefered a nice magnolia instead of the white, but you cant have everything!!!! Oscar has duely christened it!

Well done to everyone involved.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Lisa Oldham on June 18, 2008, 10:32:32 AM
I think its brilliant - really well done  :) and the tree carving has been started too !!

lots of positive conversations about with the dog walkers and lots have said
when is the house going to be
1 be finished and
2 selling coffees and ice creams!!

Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: admin on June 18, 2008, 10:47:44 AM
We tried to get the council to purchase the cottage when it was up for sale last time and to incorporate it into the project as a tea room / toilets / visitor centre but without success. When we visited the bridge with a member of the Heritage Lottery Fund committee, just before we were awarded the grant, he was greatly enthused when he saw the cottage and was quite disappointed to learn that it wasn't part of the project. With hindsight we should have pushed much harder........

The cottage has, or is about to change hands. We have not met the new owner(s) yet but hear hopeful things about their plans for it. Let's hope that they will do justice to the restored bridge and its wonderful setting. They will certainly receive our support if this is their aim.
Title: Re: Iron Bridge Opening Ceremony
Post by: Rachael on June 23, 2008, 09:41:48 AM
Congratulations x

What a fantastic opening ceremony.

Well done x