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The Chain Bridge
(The Union Suspension Bridge)
The
longest suspension bridge of its time, built in 1820, makes a revolutionary
change to transport in the borders.
Vis Unita Fortior – United Strength Is Stronger
 On
a hot pre-summers day in May, Mark Graeme and Alistair decided to get out
of the gloomy classroom and hit the road to the countryside.
First we went over to Cocklawburn Beach but
Alistair was to cold, that’s funny coz normally huskies are used to cold
climates, so we then went over to Norham Castle.
Down by the river we had a lil picnic and did sum
word games out of the Scotsman newspaper it was really riveting then something
bit Alistair’s leg, no-one know what it was but he could be the next Spiderman for
all we know. We then went up to the castle and Mark and Graeme played hide n seek,
it was just as riveting as the word games which Alistair won with Graeme close
a second.
Then after all the shenanigans at Norham we got
back into the car and debated where to go next. It ended up we went to The Chain
Bridge. Alistair, the big know it all, told us there were plants beside the
river that you could eat.
The plants included:
·
Wild Cherries
·
Wild Strawberries
·
Nettles
·
Ground Elder
·
Elderberries
·
Wild Garlic
·
Fern Shoots
·
Dandelion
·
Borage
·
Hawthorns
·
Brambles
So just shows you that if you want there is a
full 3 course meal down by The River Tweed. You learn a new thing everyday n
there is something new if you didn’t already know.
Here is a list of the historic facts about the
bridge:
 The
Union Suspension Bridge was designed and executed by Captain Brown of the Royal
Navy and was opened in 1820. The structure was later improved and strengthened
in 1902-3 by The Tweed Bridges Trustees: Watson Askew Robertson esq; DL
Pallinsburn of Ladykirk, Chairman; S.Sanderson, Clerk to the Trustees; J.A Bean,
Engineer to the Trustees.
· In
1820 when the bridge was built it was the largest iron bridge in the world
having the motto, Vis Unita Fortior (United Strength is Stronger).
A Grand Opening
We take easy transport for granted but in 1820 a
round trip to the other side of the river Tweed could take days. So the opening
of the bridge was a cause for great celebration, on the big day an excited
audience gathered cramming the river banks on both sides of the river. Captain
Brown raced across the bridge first in an open top carriage cheering and waving.
He was then followed by a dozen heavily loaded carts just to prove the strength
of his new bridge.
With the bridge tested to their satisfaction,
hundreds of spectators flooded through the toll gates, marvelling at their new
crossing.
You can find out more information about the Chain
Bridge at the Chain Bridge Honey Farm Visitors Centre.
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