Journey Through Time: Sowerby Bridge in Pictures!

I'm thrilled to share a new project I've been working on that's really close to my heart: a series of three YouTube videos featuring historic pictures of Sowerby Bridge.

These aren't just any old photos; they're a window into our town's past, spanning the last 150 years! I recently came across a fantastic collection of images, and I've been advised they're all public domain and copyright-free. Some of these even belong to a Lilywhites postcards collection, meaning they're over a century old – imagine the stories they could tell!

My aim with these videos is to bring a bit of Sowerby Bridge's rich history to life for everyone to enjoy. You'll see familiar landmarks and perhaps even discover areas of the town as they looked generations ago.

Of course, if I've been misinformed about any copyright, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm more than happy to credit the source or remove any picture at your request.

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A Journey Across History: The Kincardine Bridge

I've just uploaded a new video to YouTube showcasing a crossing of the Kincardine Bridge in both directions, filmed in November 2019. This bridge isn't just a convenient route; it's a fascinating piece of Scottish engineering history!

Connecting Communities Across the Forth

The Kincardine Bridge spans the River Forth, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Edinburgh. For a long time, it was the closest road crossing to Scotland's capital until the Forth Road Bridge opened its lanes in 1964. Even today, the Kincardine Bridge serves as a vital alternative crossing to both the Forth Road Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing whenever they face closures or restrictions due to accidents or severe weather. This vital link connects the boroughs of Falkirk and Fife, facilitating countless journeys every day.

A Tale of Ingenuity and Unexpected Delays

Construction of the Kincardine Bridge took place between 1932 and 1936, under the watchful eyes of designers Sir Alexander Gibb and architect Donald Watson. Its opening was even delayed due to a dramatic incident in February 1935, when a steamship unfortunately crashed into the ongoing construction!

The decision to build the bridge was driven by a significant increase in traffic at Stirling Bridge, which, prior to the Kincardine Bridge, was the nearest crossing point on the Forth (other than by ferry). Traffic levels at Stirling had surged from around 150 vehicles per hour in 1922 to over 400 per hour by 1932 – a clear sign that a new solution was desperately needed.

One of the most remarkable features of the Kincardine Bridge was its central 364ft section, designed to operate as a swing bridge. This allowed ships to pass through to the Port of Alloa. This swing section remained in use until 1988 and was finally locked shut in 1989. While the mechanics are still present to operate it, it's highly unlikely it will ever swing open again.

The bridge itself boasts an impressive total length of 2697ft and was constructed at a cost of £327,000. While it's still very much in use today, its role as the primary bridge crossing was taken over in 2008 by the Clackmannanshire Bridge, a more modern marvel that cost a substantial £120 million to complete.

So, the next time you cross the Kincardine Bridge, take a moment to appreciate its rich history and the significant role it has played in connecting Scotland. 

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A Driver's View: Exploring the Scenic A40 from Ross-on-Wye to Monmouth

I've just uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel, It's a drive from Ross-on-Wye to Monmouth, captured entirely from my DAF XF truck. If you're a fan of scenic drives, you're in for a treat.

This particular stretch of road is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful in Britain. The video covers approximately 12 miles, starting right from the end of the M50 motorway. We then cruise along the A449 and A40, finally completing the journey just after emerging from the Gibraltar Tunnel at Monmouth.

What makes this video a bit different is the perspective. Because I was in my truck, the dash cam footage gives you a higher vantage point than my usual videos. You really get to see the landscape unfold from a unique viewpoint.

It was a fantastic drive, and I hope the video conveys just how stunning the scenery is. Whether you're planning a trip to the area or just enjoy a good virtual road trip, I think you'll really appreciate this one.

The video was filmed on Wednesday January 29th 2020.

Please also take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Photo4Me and Clickasnap using the links below. Your support means a lot!

Vintage War Posters

A few years ago I bought a collection of copyright free posters and images off a collector and if I'm honest I was stuck for an idea of what to do with them, so they just sat on a hard drive waiting. I recently remembered I had them and came up with tidying them up a little and using them as slideshows for my YouTube channel.

The first set of pictures I used were selected from an album of wartime posters featuring propaganda for women to work, men to be recruited to various forces, rationing, promoting peace and nationalism. They are taken from many conflicts and various countries involved. I have done this slideshows more as a historical propaganda show reel rather than promoting conflict and they are to show how propaganda was used to help with wartime efforts.

I will be working on more over the next few weeks to upload to my YouTube channel from travel posters to vintage pin ups to more wartime posters as well as continuing to upload my own collection of images. Click here and take a moment to subscribe to my YouTube channel. The vintage pin ups will not be posted here but will be available to view on YouTube. Below is a selection of the posters featured in the videos

 

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