Newport Pagnell Bridges
This would be an ideal addition for those interested in the history of Newport Pagnell. Why not pop along to one of the two shops listed and see what you think. The Post Office shop has for sale colourful "Smiley" stamps showing a picture of the Iron Bridge, painted by local artist Michael Pratt.

September 2009 saw the start of a 12 month countdown to the bi-centenary of Newport Pagnell's two road bridges.The most famous is Tickford Bridge, the oldest cast iron bridge in the Western World still carrying main road traffic.

To mark the start three local authors, Dennis Mynard, Paul Woodfield and Ray Bailey, have launched their book "Newport Pagnell's Bridges." The well-illustrated volume tells the history of the stone North Bridge over the Great Ouse and of the Tickford Bridge over the River Lovat. For 200 years in which transport using them has varied from stage coaches to Aston Martin cars. Remarkably, the Iron Bridge was cast at Rotherham in Yorkshire and transported in pieces by ship to London, then by river and canal to Great Linford. The final part of the journey to Newport Pagnell was by horse and cart.

Copies of the book, price £17.95, can be obtained from Doodles in the High Street,and the Newport Pagnell Post Office.
Requests for copies to be sent by post should be addressed to Gerald Stratton. 3 Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell, Bucks. MK16 8HS.
Cheques should be made payable to Tickford Bridge Bi-Centenary Committee, adding £3 for packing and postage.

The North Bridge
NPHS member, Brian Breacher has written the following poem dedicated to the Tickford Iron Bridge.
Brian lives close to the bridge and can see it from his window.
Tickford Bridge
For two hundred years Tickford Bridge has stood as testimony
to a distinguished legacy of local history.
The world's oldest cast-iron bridge carrying a full traffic load;
a Grade A listed monument on the B526 road.

Constructed in 1810 to be ornate and strong;
reinforced with carbon fibre and measuring fifty one paces long.
Made by Messrs Wilson, Walker, Provis and Yates,
just thirty four years after the birth of the United States.

Starting life as a toll bridge of special note;
mentioned in many books on Newport Pagnell so preciously wrote.
Coach and horses carrying the mail, droves of sheep, itinerants for hire,
and ladies in fine lace-trimmed attire.

Travellers between London and Leicester crossing the Lovat-cum-Ouzel,
cut through pasture idyllic and rural.
Towards the bridge the river glides at gentle pace,
whilst the royal swan lingers with such classical grace.

Passers-by gaze, fishermen dream, children swoon,
Aylesbury duck with mallard paddle and consume.
On a sunny day there's no lovelier green,
as the majestic willow and sycamore add colour to the river scene.

On such a note I ought to mention the grass,
for it's really quite rich and bright when seen as you walk past.
Such perfect places for a family feast,
with Lovat Meadow lying to the west and Castle Meadow at the east.

Oh! And all the fish that gather at the bridge when folk
encroach, the perch, large carp and orange finned roach.
Amid the current, yellow lily and green rushes grow;
then watch shoals of bleak in a symphony of movement go.

Tickford Bridge then, is the focal point of an attractive place,
of ancient buildings and prime fertile space.
Of commoner's rights, and many important visitors, of strangers,
soldiers and travellers right down the ages.

A fine landmark that's primarily known
for helping to make Newport Pagnell such a blessed, significant town.

Brian M Breacher September 2009.