In June 1981 the good people of New Holland in Lincolnshire were finally joined up - permanently - to their Yorkshire neighbours over the water. Although there'd been a ferry in operation since 1848 (various paddle steamers had navigated the shallow shifting sands of the mile wide Humber Gap), it was only when the Humber Bridge became a reality that Hull, and East Yorkshire in general, formally cemented relations with the country's second largest county. Measuring 1.38 miles in length it was the longest single span suspension bridge in the world for a while; these days it doesn't even make the Top 10.
I was in Hull again at the weekend visiting family and, as always, came back over the bridge; I pulled in at at Barton-on Humber for an ice cream (Wall's and bridges, anyone?) and took a couple of photos. These two were my favourites. As I tweeted later - I too could quite easily sit on a bench all day and just gaze at this most brilliant of structures.
Postscript - 16 July 2022
Playing to my passion for all things philatelic, in addition to the commemorative stamp at the top of my piece, there were also a couple of interesting First Day Covers from the time which I thought I'd share with you below. I acquired these in the week and love them both; as you can see, the top one has been signed on the back by Coun. Alex Clarke, Chairman of the Humber bridge Board, no less.
When you left Edinburgh did you cross the Forth on the newest of the three bridges?
ReplyDeleteLovely - I too think bridges are beautiful. I can't put my finger on why; maybe it's as much about their symbolism as their fascinating and varied, often very elegant, structures. I also want to know, how does one even begin to build one?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos John. Like C I find the mystery of bridge building to be, erm...., utterly mysterious! It's difficult enough to get my head around construction in the modern day, but what about those structures built to span rivers in centuries gone by that are still standing strong and providing a service now? The logistics involved boggle my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe Humber bridge is magnificent, never fail to be impressed by it
ReplyDeleteHumber Bridge is an engineering marvel.
ReplyDeleteThe new Severn Bridge is quite a fine thing too - but just doesn't look as good as the old one.
CC - Yes, we did! I wanted to pay homage to Desperate Dan and Dennis the Menace, so we took a detour to Dundee.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a splendid triumvirate of bridges! I was driving, so no photo op - but I shall return...
C/TS - Beautiful, indeed. As to the how, I shan't bore you with slip-forming, cable spinning, vertical linkage and rocking A-frame deck supports; suffice it to say it got built!
SA - I'd gladly hold a mini Blog-Con there if anyone wants to join me...
RD - I know what you mean.
Dundee - the Tay bridges are not quite as spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI know what you're saying.
DeleteA former colleague of mine lived on a sailboat in Hull Marina, a bit like Quincy (although Quincy wasn't the ME in Hull, I don't think). He took me sailing one time right out under the Humber Bridge. Sticks in my memory, that day, even though I haven't seen him in 30 years.
ReplyDeleteNice memory, Rol. Any photographs from that day?
DeleteLovely to see those stamps. Glad you took the route north that takes in the bridges over the Firth of Forth. Good that you can now look across at the old suspension bridge, even whilst driving although I am also a big fan of the new road bridge - those sails!
ReplyDeleteThat could be an epic travel challenge. Cross all the suspension bridges in the world. Some really famous ones.
I was thinking the exact same thing myself, Alyson - that really would be epic; where would you even start? Apart from the Humber, of course!
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