SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The following is a small extract from a report in John Mayhall's 'Annals of Yorkshire' volume 3:-September 20 1871. "The Mayor (Ald. J. Barran) performed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Leeds New Bridge. The members of the Corporation, arrayed in their robes of office, assembled at the Town Hall at half-past three o'clock, and, escorted by the Chief Constable and a company of police constables, they marched in procession to the site of the bridge, the approaches to which were decorated with flags and banners. The position of the stone to be laid was under the temporary bridge, and the space around the stone was comfortably enclosed and fitted up for those who were to take part on the proceedings...A sealed glass bottle was placed under the stone, containing copies of the local newspapers of the day, one of the Corporation year books, a photograph of the Town Hall, specimens of the current coin of the realm, and a roll of vellum containing a list of the Purchase of Property Committee, headed by a short memorandum, stating the particulars connected with the laying of the stone.".

Sounds like they had a bigger bunfight to lay the foundation stone than they did to officially open the new bridge.The first two extracts below are lifted from the web on ‘Discovering Leeds’ and ‘Wikipedia’ respectively. The third is our very own Leodian’s SL contribution dated (of course) 9 July 2012.Unless the ‘much more’ - see below - includes the celebrations of 9 July 1873. What might they have been Leodian?More dignitaries, policemen, flags and banners no doubt.Leeds Bridge The original Leeds Bridge was built in the 14th Century, and was made of stone, which tradition says came from the ruins of Leeds Castle at the western end of Boar Lane. It was widened in 1730, 1760, and again in 1796. For five hundred years the old Leeds Bridge was the main crossing point over the river, but by the middle of the 19th century the old medieval bridge could no longer cope with the volume of traffic using the main north – south route through the town. The old bridge was demolished in 1871 and replaced by the present structure. The new bridge was designed by T D Steel of Newport. It was made in cast iron with wrought iron girders and cross- girders, has a span of 102ft 6ins and supports a 60ft wide roadway. The ironwork was produced by John Butler at Stanningley, and the contractor was David Nichols of Leeds. The bridge was opened on 9th July 1873.A medieval bridge was built at the site of a ferry across the River Aire. It was widened in 1730 and 1760. The bridge was rebuilt in 1870-73 by W. H. Barlow to a design by T. Dyne Steel. The ironwas cast by John Butler of Stanningley. The cast iron balustradeis of rings and flowers. The east side bears the arms of the Corporation of Leeds (crowned owls and fleece). The western side has the names of civic dignitaries on a plaque.July 9 1873. "The Mayor of Leeds formally opened the new LeedsBridge, at the bottom of Briggate, erected in place of the old anddangerous one, which for so many years occupied the site...Thenew bridge has a graceful single span across the river, built on theskew, with an angle of 11¼ deg., the several arches of the old bridge having given place to one 102 ft. 6 ins. long, the centre of which is 12 ft. 6 ins. above the ordinary water line. Good approaches and easy gradients are secured. The arch springs from remarkably good stone abutments of rusticated masonry. Through the north abutment there is a 7 feet culvert, and on the south (for the bend of the river) a 10 feet culvert. Additional safety and stability are imparted by inside girders and cross girders of wrought iron, covered by Malett's patent buckled plates..." (there was much more!).        

Hiya salt 'n pepper. There was much more in the Annals report for July 9 1873, though most of it was about the bridge itself. Of those involved in the event it stated that the dignitaries walked from the Town Hall accompanied by a military band and "Returning to the Town Hall, the Mayor entertained at dinner about 180 gentlemen" (ladies not invited eh!). I bet there was a fine spread at the dinner!

Leo, apology for slight tangent.Daniel Defoe (1726) writing of Leeds mentions Brigg-Shots. Thoreseby mentioned them in 1715.The "Parrot" you found gets a mention.Known as 'Brig-End-Shots', also known as 'Twopennorth', or a "Brigg-Shot" :-This consisted of a pot of ale, a noggin of pottage (soup) and a trencher of boiled or roast beef, all for a cost of two pence. The Parrot Inn, Call Lane, Leeds was the favoured haunt of clothiers from Batley, Dewsbury and Ossett when going to the Leeds Cloth Hall1"Leeds Mercury", Saturday, September 10th 1887.

Cheers Jogon. That sounds like a good value twopennyworth meal at the Parrot Inn. I wonder what size a noggin was and for that matter also the size of a trencher of beef? I feel hungry now. A visit to a McD or BK I think for a trencher of beef in a burger!

Leodian wrote: Cheers Jogon. That sounds like a good value twopennyworth meal at the Parrot Inn. I wonder what size a noggin was and for that matter also the size of a trencher of beef? I feel hungry now. A visit to a McD or BK I think for a trencher of beef in a burger! A quick search on the web describes a trencher as a beef stew in an edible dish (pastry I presume), it sounds a tasty dish.

Cheers Johnny39.I like the thought of having a pot of ale, a noggin of soup and a trencher of beef.     

Leodian wrote: Cheers Johnny39.I like the thought of having a pot of ale, a noggin of soup and a trencher of beef.      Hi get me one an' all Leo if you're going t'bar, I'l give you the tuppence when you come back.