Bridge name plaques unveiled on Swansea Canal

Read this page in Welsh / Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

As part of the SC225 project marking the 225th anniversary of the canal, the plaques are helping people to rediscover the names of the historic bridges on the waterway.

In the canal’s heyday, all its bridges had names, often relating to an adjacent farm or individual, though over time most names have fallen out of use or been forgotten.

Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Wales has enabled the plaques to be made and be installed as part of the anniversary celebrations between Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, and the Swansea Canal Society.

Each plaque is bilingual and incorporates the Swansea Canal Company seal, the name of the bridge, National Heritage Lottery Wales logo and reference to the Swansea Canal 225th anniversary.

Ceremonies to unveil two of the plaques were held at two bridges with two local primary schools who have been part of the anniversary celebrations.

A ceremony at Pont John Bridge saw pupils from St Joseph's School, Clydach, join Glandŵr Cymru's development manager David Morgan and heritage advisor David Viner, and the Swansea Canal Society, for the unveiling of the new plaque by the Canal Society's chairman, Gordon Walker.

Staff and pupils from Ysgol Trebanos also visited Trebanos Bridge with Glandŵr Cymru and the Canal Society for an unveiling on the bridge.

Both schools participated in a model bridge building exercise next to the canal to discover more about what's involved in the construction of bridges.

Plaques have also been installed on bridge 7 Ynysmeudwy Isaf, bridge 8 Ynysmeudwy Ganol, and bridge 9 Ynysysmeudwy Uchaf.

SC225 is a year-long celebration of the history of the Swansea Canal. Events marking the anniversary involving the local community have brought to life the importance the canal has had for over two centuries across the Swansea Valley.