An engineering marvel

Visit to the Newport Transporter Bridge and Tredegar House

Mrs Josie Duke at the Transporter Bridge

Normally, the Society winds down for a few weeks at this festive time of year, however this Christmas time proved rather different. Mrs Josie Duke, one of our longest serving members and committee member has always asked why we have not visited Newport’s celebrated Transporter Bridge (a more detailed account on the bridge will follow). Therefore it was decided that we would visit this engineering marvel in conjunction with an excursion to the Morgan family seat at Tredegar House.

Some twenty five members and friends came on the visit and as the coach approached the City of Newport the magnificence of the Transporter Bridge was evident as the structure dominated the skyline. The Bridge is among only six surviving examples of this type of “dry” ferry in the world today. Its main advantage being that it speeded up  transport between both sides of town and also allowed maritime traffic to pass unimpeded along the Usk to the docks at Newport. Built in 1906, the bridge is still in daily use and costs only a £1 to cross in a car and is free to foot passengers. Though only a short journey the Edwardian style of the bridge gives it an ageless quality. Alongside the Transporter Bridge was a small visitor centre and it was communicated to the members that the “Friends of the Transporter Bridge”, were seeking World Heritage Status.

The afternoon was spent in a very cordial fashion in a festively decked Tredegar House which is shortly to be taken over by the National Trust.

A very good time was had by all.

Too much mulled wine - it seems to be snowing heavily in Tredegar House

Many thanks to Gwyn Thomas for the photos

Nadolig  llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda i  holl aelodau a ffrindiau’r Gymdeithas Hanes/ A Merry Christmas and prosperous new year to all the members and friends of the History Society