Village History
OPENING CEREMONY
They were then set racing for large stock of useful prizes, lhe opening ceremony had been fixed for three o’clock, and the children were before that time marched back towards the village, the company having met The am u’-j reBldence Mr. Small. The precincts of the_ bridge were this time crowded with carriages of ari U? j descn P tlons all apparently intent on crossing tbe bridge as soon as possible after its opening, and, there were also many persons on foot. In a short time 6aded b . y the band from Claydon to the bridge, forming an attractive spectacle On the bridge being reached the school children fined both sides of the approach to the ford Which, despite the ankle deep water in the centre, was crowded by interested spectators. Mr. Small then alighted from his carriage and proceeded thu centre of the bridge (from which the rail had been removed) and on behalf of the parish asked Lady Verney to open the bridge. Standing on its centre, he said he had been asked the inhabitants of Steeple Claydon, as one of the Committee chosen to superintend the erection of this bridge, to say few words on that auspicious occasion. Early in the year it was discussed whether the parish could not raise a memorial of the Queen’s Jubilee, and it was thought by many that they should have something more permanent and lasting than mere holiday, however pleasant that might be. (Applause.) It was suggested by Mr. Farmborough or Mr. Ingram—it did not matter which, for both had taken the matter most earnestly—(applause)—that would be thing to place a bridge over the ford where they now stood. (Applause.) He was speaking to persons who knew the ford well as he did, and they were aware that in the dead of winter it was flooded, and at times of storms had been often actually impassable, whilst other times, during as he had said the winter months, the place was anything but pleasant even to drive through. (Applause.) As soon the question was mooted, he was glad to say that help came in from all sides, the work was at once commenced, and uuder the able superintendence of Mr. Farmborough aud Mr. Ingram it had been brought to the most successful issue they now saw. (Applause.) They employed Mr. Harris, the well-known county surveyor, to prepare the sketch of the bridge. His instructions were to give a design and particulars of a good substantial bridge, one that would stand the storms and floods of their severest winters, and he (Mr. Small) thought that Mr. Harris, with the aid of the gentlemen he had named, had well accomplished that end. (Loud applause.) to be continued…………
