Some postcards of the Runcorn Railway Bridge, ("Ethelfleda Bridge")
All of these photos were taken from the Widnes side of the Mersey.
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This bridge was built to connect Liverpool and London by shortening the journey which before entailed a change of train at Warrington. The bridge has the Arms of London being shown on the Runcorn support side of the bridge, the figure of Britannia on the central support and the Arms of Liverpool on the Widnes side. The Runcorn pier of the bridge is probably built on the site of Ethelflda's fort which she built at Runcorn in 915 AD to guard the northern borders of Anglo-Saxon Mercia against the Vikings. The bridge is 150 years old and its girders have never needed to be renewed. Opened in 1868. Each span between the piers is 93m (305ft).
This view is from the Widnes north-west side of the bridge with Runcorn on the opposite bank. The transporter bridge had been built by 1910, so this is an old photo, judging by its postmark date.
The message reads:-
Friday 25th. 34 York Street, Runcorn
Dear Miss Hope
We are coming by Crosville bus tomorrow. Start from here at 10a.m. arrive there at 12.45.
Talbot Rd. We are looking forward to coming again. Love to all
Mrs Dugdale
The message reads:-
Carisville
Norman Road
Hope you are all well. remember me to Mother and Father
Cele
This view is from the north-west side of the bridge with Runcorn on the opposite bank, with the Parish Church of All Saints plainly visible. The transporter bridge had not been built at this time.
The message reads:-
glad to hear from you anytime . How is Mary,
better I hope. Am going on Tuesday to see relatives
at Birkenhead,will write again later
in w(eek).
This view is from the west side of the bridge with Runcorn on the opposite bank, with the Parish Church of All Saints plainly visible. Neither the Manchester Ship Canal nor the transporter bridge had been built at this time. There is no sign of the sea wall built for the canal which should appear between the two supports on the Runcorn side, and the salt-water baths on the Runcorn side can be seen in front of the Church. The postcard has been coloured for effect, in fact too much effect!. Green hills where there should have been factory chimneys!
The message reads:-
You will no doubt think me a very poor sort of chap in not writing to you oftener - but things seem to go much the same. We are all fairly well here - Uncle Jack having gone back to work today. Hope Uncle Lon(?) is keeping better & that you are alright. Kindly remember me to Grandma & to all the others.
Best Love
Percy
Address is to: Mrs Woodfine, 101 Folds Road, Bolton, Lancashire
This view is from the west side of the bridge with Runcorn on the opposite bank. The transporter bridge can be seen in the background, and behind it the spire of Runcorn Parish Church.
The message reads:-
50 Frederick Street
Dear Edna & Ivy
I reached here alright. I had to wait at Crewe from 5.15 until a quarter to 7.
The weather is glorious. Hope you are going on alright. All wish to be remembered to you and hope Ivy is alright
Dad (Posted 10/7/1912)
The support on the Runcorn side shows the arms of London, the two central supports the figure of Britannia, and the support on the Widnes side shows the arms of Liverpool.