Talk:Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow

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Section structure[edit]

What sections are needed in a broadly complete article?

  • The Wye and its tides. Traffic both across and along the Wye.
  • Roman and early bridges or crossings, to the medieval period
  • The pre-1816 bridge. Its split personality, its collapses. Why does Chepstow, a city [sic] that still thinks it's part of England, have the one bridge where it was clear that Monmouthshire was part of Wales?
  • The need for a new bridge, pre-Waterloo
  • Plans for bridges, including the others than that built
  • The contract for a bridge, still pre-Waterloo. How does this fit in with the general view of "Wellington bridges", as being part of a post-war peace dividend, and a surplus capacity in the cannon-founding industry?
  • Construction and technical design of the bridge
  • Traffic across the bridge. Why would anyone want to cross when all of Chepstow remained firmly on one bank?
  • The picturesque Wye and early tourism.
  • The "Shakespeare myths"
  • Motor traffic, hills, congestion and gridlock
  • The 1988 bridge as a replacement
  • The bridge in semi-retirement. Mari Lwyds and Wye Festivals.

Andy Dingley (talk) 14:53, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that looks pretty comprehensive, Andy. Martinevans123 (talk) 15:07, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Why would anyone want to cross? Because until the 1980s it was the only road bridge linking South Wales to Gloucestershire (and, before the Severn Crossing opened, the Aust ferry). In Roman times, it was on the road from Caerleon to Gloucester, and again to the Severn crossing. Don't think the Shakespeare myths had anything directly to do with the bridge - they were related to the castle - though it is true that Orville Owen's inquiries led to the discovery of Roman bridge remains. And of course, Wales was merely part of England. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:19, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Potential sources[edit]

As it's the bicentenary I think this one might be worth doing first. Some idea of what is missing and potential further sources would be good.♦ Dr. Blofeld 15:04, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Don't know if others are aware, but a local resident has put together a leaflet about the bridge for the bicentenary - here, with supporting information here. It's questionable, I think, whether the leaflet itself meets RS criteria, but at least it should provide some useful leads. Regarding offline sources, I have various books including Newman's Buildings of Wales: Gwent, the local sections of Bradney (haven't checked what if anything it says about the bridge), and various other local history books including several books and booklets by local historian Ivor Waters dating from the 1970s. I'm also prepared to walk down the road and take photos of it if necessary. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:11, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
So it's the "world's largest iron arch road bridge built before 1830"? Seems a notable claim, if a little forced. Martinevans123 (talk) 16:41, 1 April 2016 (UTC) Ghm, surely you mean "hire a boat and take photos from underneath the bridge, at high tide, if necessary"?[reply]
Re notability, it certainly has a cast iron case. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:49, 1 April 2016 (UTC) No. But Andy might.[reply]
"groan". Let's hope we can hike it up a bit, then. Martinevans123 (talk) 16:55, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Oddly enough I've just used the leaflet as a source in a new article (Watkin George - who did the first(?) design in 1811). I did notice that the author of the leaflet (John Burrows) is actually used as a source in the Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers, and also I don't think are many bodies of learning that are more august than Cheptsow Town Council... Don't think it's worth making a song and dance about it, although if anyone can, can User:Martinevans123? Robevans123 (talk) 20:47, 1 May 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Wow! What a number!! I've always seen our dazzling Blowers as the perfect partner for the gorgeous pouting Guy. But Chepstow is well-known for its hot and sultry belly-dancing, as I'm sure Gypsy Rose Lee will tell us. Martinevans123 (talk) 20:58, 1 May 2016 (UTC) .... c'mon y'all, now.... "There's no business like Wiki-business!![reply]

St Davids' Chapel[edit]

Apparently there was once a medieval chapel on the the end of 'the pons de Strugull' or "juxta pontern de Strugull". It stood near the Roman bridge on the Gloucestershire side. Also a "hospital" there in 1306: [1]. In 1855, Wakeman remembers seeing part of it was still standing: [2] Not sure if these are too obscure/ tenuous to be included. Martinevans123 (talk) 17:03, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

There was also St Ann's chapel on the Monmouthshire side (hence St Ann's Street - I'm sure I can dig out a source for that one day). Apparently[citation needed] people used to pray in one, that the bridge would not collapse as they were crossing, and in the other one to thank the lord (or Lord) once they reached the other side without falling into the river. Ghmyrtle (talk) 17:12, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm, maybe they sang hymns too. Martinevans123 (talk) 17:18, 1 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]
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