There’s a certain thrill in acquiring a random box of old 35mm slides—you never know what little piece of forgotten history you might uncover. Recently, this striking image of the English Bridge in Shrewsbury caught my eye. It's a beautifully composed shot, capturing the bridge's classic stonework and the distinctive spires of the town rising beyond the River Severn.
Let's dive into the history of this iconic landmark and see if we can use the photograph itself to determine when this particular moment was frozen in time.
The History of the English Bridge
The English Bridge is a major gateway into the historic loop of Shrewsbury town centre, and its history is a long and winding one, mirroring the River Severn it crosses:
A Crossing Since Medieval Times: A bridge has stood on this spot since at least the 12th century, likely wooden initially, before being replaced by a more substantial stone structure known as the Stone Bridge or Great Bridge.
The Second Incarnation (1774): The current structure's direct predecessor was built between 1769 and 1774 by renowned architect John Gwynne. It was considered a magnificent example of Georgian engineering, featuring elegant stone balustrades.
The Modern Bridge (1926): The bridge we see today is a widening and rebuilding of Gwynne's 18th-century structure. Due to increased traffic and narrowness, it was demolished and reconstructed between 1924 and 1926 by engineer Sir Thomas Peirson Frank and the Shrewsbury Borough Surveyor, A. W. Ward. The new design retained the look of the Georgian original but was significantly wider and structurally reinforced. It was formally opened by Queen Mary on October 20, 1926, and is the Grade II listed structure we admire today.
The spires visible in the background are another clue to the town’s rich past: the tall, Gothic-style spire to the left is likely St Mary's Church, while the one near the centre belongs to St Alkmund's Church.
Dating the Slide: Clues from the Film and Foliage
While the bridge's architecture confirms it was taken after its 1926 reconstruction, we can narrow the date down significantly by looking at the photograph's characteristics:
The Colour Palette: The rich, slightly muted reds and browns in the foliage, the deep green of the grass, and the distinct blue of the sky suggest a colour slide film from the 1970s or early 1980s. The colour saturation and overall "look" are typical of slide film from that era, such as Kodachrome or Ektachrome.
The Foliage: Crucially, the trees on the far bank show sparse leaves and definite autumnal tones, while the grass in the foreground is still lush and green. This points clearly to a photograph taken in late autumn (October or November).
Modern Clutter: The lack of heavy, modern signage or overt 21st-century street furniture also reinforces an earlier date.
Conclusion on Date: Based on the film's distinct colour rendering and the seasonal state of the trees, this beautiful vista of Shrewsbury’s English Bridge was most likely captured during a clear, crisp day in Autumn between 1975 and 1985.
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