I was walking across this bridge last month with my friend Lynda, when she happened to comment on how we don’t see the phrase ‘corporation of . . . .” in the UK any more. With the exception of the City of London they disappeared in 1972 when the Local Government Act replaced them with Council. It is also unusual to see these days the names of the town officials. I was nodding away in agreement, when I suddenly squealed with excitement.

It was one of those hideously wet April days we had last month, and I only had my phone on me so the photographs I am sorry to say are not great. However Squarers, I know, won’t be bothered and will completely understand my squeal of excitement. Lynda though looked at me in bemusement and so I had to explain I had seen the word ‘reconstructed’ on the plaque in the middle. Then I had to explain about Squares, but not sure she really got it!

There’s been a bridge here in Salisbury over the River Avon since the 14th century, although it wasn’t until 1561 that is was known as Fisherton Bridge. Initially the parish of Fisherton was responsible for its upkeep but by the mid 17th century it was important enough for the county to take it on. This version of the bridge dates back to 1872 when it was rebuilt using iron, and then in 1960/1 it was widened to what it is today.

This River Avon is not the same River Avon that I am now living near even though Salisbury is in the same county as my new home, and the western arm of this Avon rises in Devizes less than 25 miles from where I am living. This River Avon is sometimes called Salisbury or Hampshire Avon to distinguish it from the other 4 Avons in England as well as 1 in Wales and 3 in Scotland. The reason there are so many Avons is that ‘Avon’ means river in old English and also Welsh.

So basically we are saying river river!

Postscript: my lovely friend who looked at me in bemusement died four weeks to the day after crossing this bridge. I had known when we met up in April that Lynda was counting the days, as that had been the reason for our meeting up but even so I had hoped to have shared this post with her. Sadly though Lynda died 2 weeks ago. My memories of our joyous lunch, our stroll across this bridge and how she had decided that her ‘bucket list’ was about meeting up with old friends will remain with me forever. We won’t fade away, as we crossed the bridge.

76 thoughts

  1. Pingback: Fun # May Square Fotos – Light Words

      3. Well it is because I am trying to schedule my posts and the dates got too confusing. But thanks anyway. I will do better next time.

        Like

    2. Hi no it wasn’t there as I hadn’t approved the link. I’ve set it up so I need to approve pings, it makes sure I don’t miss any! But as you can see I have now edited the link above so it is now your lovely one

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Pingback: New Growth – Wandering Teresa
  5. Pingback: Orange (with spots) – bushboys world
  8. Pingback: Squares – Make Your Move | teleportingweena
  9. Pingback: Your Flowers by Day 2024, Week 16: – Robert's Snap Spot

      1. I can’t conceive of ancient cities. In the west coast aside from old native american sites, cities are barely 150-200 years old, or in many cases less. 😀

        Like

  11. Pingback: May 21 – #SquaresRenew Challenge – Burgeoning Rhododendrons – Cee's Photo Challenges
  12. Pingback: May Squares: #21 Moving determinedly Forward…. | WordsVisual
  13. Pingback: Which Way Forward? – The Mansionic Perspective

Share your thoughts . . . . . .

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.