GUNTHORPE BRIDGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 7

GUNTHORPE BRIDGE

OPENED BY PRINCE, OF WALES. A gold miniature sword was used by the Prince of Wales recently to cut the white silk cord and open the new bridge over the Trent at Gunthorpe. This was the first local function performed by the Prince since he became a county ratepayer and land proprietor in Nottinghamshire. Gnnthorpe bridge is about nine miles from Nottingham and was erected at a cost ot £125,000. It forms an entirely new link between the Midlands and the north. _ . The sword 1 used by the Prince was fashioned after the style carried by Roman centurians 19 centuries ago, when the Roman legions held sway in that district. The Prince caused much laughter by testing the weapon on the palm of his hand. Then, with a deliberate upward cut, he severed the cord as an indication to all that the days of the toll had passed and that henceforward "the Trent at that epot could be crossed free of charge. At the Prince's request, Alderman Robert Mellors was presented. Although over SO years of age, he is still associated with the county and city councils, and the Prince heartily congratulated him on his long service. To meet traffic needs, said the Prince,' costly and extensive by-pass roads were necessary and he congratulated the Nottinghamshire County Council. "I also congratulate them," he added, "on having done away with one more toll .bridge—such a hindrance to communications—-and on having heen able to employ a considerable number of men who otherwise would not have had employment."