Anthony's Literary Lens

Tag: bridge

  • Llandeilo’s arching achievement

    Llandeilo’s arching achievement

    Hello there! Let me tell you about the charming bridge at Llandeilo. It’s a Grade II* listed road bridge that gracefully spans the River Towy in the picturesque town of Llandeilo, nestled in Carmarthenshire, Wales. This bridge is a vital link for the A483 road heading towards Ffairfach.

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    The story behind this bridge is quite fascinating. The brilliant William Williams, Llandeilo’s very own county bridge surveyor, designed this single-arch wonder. Its construction took place between 1843 and 1848, a project that replaced a previous three-arched bridge. This older structure had itself replaced a mediaeval seven-arch bridge that sadly collapsed back in 1795.

    J.M.W. Turner painted Llandeilo Bridge and Dinefwr Castle in 1795.

    William Williams initially led the project, but the complexities of building on challenging foundations drained the budget entirely, leading to his dismissal. Unfortunately, he passed away before the bridge’s completion. In 1846, Edward Haycock stepped in to finish the job, though the cost had escalated significantly to a staggering £23,000.

    The new bridge was a vast improvement over its predecessor, with enough room for a double carriageway. Its single arch impressively stretched 143 feet across the river, rising 35 feet above it, which was quite a feat at the time and made it the third longest single arch bridge in Britain. This height also reduced the road’s gradient towards the town, making it more accessible.

    The bridge’s architectural details are a reflection of its craftsmanship. The bridge, arch soffits, parapets, and buttresses are adorned with chisel- or hammer-dressed masonry. The voussoirs of the arch are lengthy and finely finished with ashlar. The bridge is also flanked by substantial stone buttresses at each end of the arch, which extend in both directions to support the lengthy causeways leading to Llandeilo and Ffairfach. It’s not just a bridge; it’s a piece of Llandeilo’s rich history.

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  • Of Moss and Memories: The Forest Bridge

    Of Moss and Memories: The Forest Bridge

    As I crossed the weathered planks, I discovered the bridge’s secret: it led to inner peace

    Somewhere in Snowdon, Wales
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    Beneath a canopy of ancient oaks and maples, a rustic bridge emerges, its weathered planks worn smooth by countless footsteps. It spans a meandering river, whose waters whisper secrets to the wind-kissed leaves. As you step onto the bridge, the scent of damp earth and moss rises to meet you, a fragrance carried on a gentle breeze. The bridge’s timeworn rails offer a comforting grip, guiding you through the heart of this enchanted forest. In the dappled sunlight, you find solace, where the bridge becomes a silent witness to the stories of the woods, standing strong through seasons and time.

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