Ironbridge
Ironbridge | |
---|---|
Ironbridge, seen from the Iron Bridge | |
Location within Shropshire | |
Population | 2,582 (2011)[1] |
OS grid reference | SJ6724903350 |
• London | 126 mi (203 km) SE |
Civil parish | |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | TELFORD |
Postcode district | TF8 |
Dialling code | 01952 |
Police | West Mercia |
Fire | Shropshire |
Ambulance | West Midlands |
UK Parliament | |
Ironbridge is a riverside village in the borough of
History
The area around Ironbridge is described by those promoting it as a tourist destination as the "Birthplace of the
The grandson of the first Abraham Darby, Abraham Darby III, built the bridge – originally designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard – to link the two areas. Construction began in 1779, and the bridge opened on New Year's Day 1781.[3][4] Soon afterwards the ancient Madeley market was relocated to the new purpose-built square and Georgian Butter Cross. The former dispersed settlement of Madeley Wood gained a planned urban focus as Ironbridge, the commercial and administrative centre of the Coalbrookdale coalfield.
The Iron Bridge proprietors also built the
St Luke's Church (1837) in simple
The former
Present day
By the 19th century, Ironbridge had had many well-known visitors, including
Ironbridge was struck by an F1/T2 tornado on 23 November 1981, as part of the record-breaking nationwide tornado outbreak on that day.[6] On Thursday 10 July 2003 The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made a visit to Shropshire which included a visit to Ironbridge, and a walk over the bridge itself.[7]
An annual
Flooding
Ironbridge has an annually reoccurring problem of flooding from the River Severn, as do many other parts of Shropshire. Flooding has previously caused much damage and disruption to the Wharfage, which accommodates both The Swan and White Hart pubs, and various private homes. Starting in February 2004, DEFRA, in association with the Environment Agency, implemented a portable barrier which is erected at times of floods. At its peak, the flood water has reached a depth of one metre (3 ft 3 in) against the barrier.
On 26 February 2020, after large amounts of rainfall brought by storms Ciara and Dennis, the portable barrier was compromised; it required an evacuation of all residents from the wharfage.[8] Ironbridge flooded again in February 2022.[9][10]
Notable people
- The Rogers Family (1778-2003), known for building and using coracles on the River Severn for generations[11][unreliable source?]
- Thomas Parker (1843-1915), electrical engineer and inventor, had his last home at Severn House from 1908.[12]
- George Sedgwick (1846–1934), a British trade union leader, born in Ironbridge.[13]
- Billy Wright CBE (1924–1994), a footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. throughout his career and the first player to earn 100 international caps for England.[14]
- Guinness Book of Records title as the most prolific crossword compiler.[16]
- Ian Blakemore (born 1965), an English cricketer;[17] left-handed batsman and left-arm slow bowler who played for Herefordshire
- Jay Blades MBE (born 1970), furniture restorer and television presenter, lives here.[18]
- Cancer, a death/thrash metal band[19] formed in Ironbridge in 1988, which released five full-length albums
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust owns and operates 10 museums throughout the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site; they collectively tell the story of the Industrial Revolution.
The museums include:
- Blists Hill Victorian Town
- Coalport China Museum
- Tar Tunnel
- Jackfield Tile Museum
- Broseley Pipeworks
- The Iron Bridge Tollhouse
- Museum of The Gorge
- Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron
- The Darby Houses
- Enginuity
-
The Old Furnace, Coalbrookdale
-
Jackfield Tile Museum
-
Dale House
-
Rosehill House
-
Blists Hill Victorian Town
-
The Iron Bridge
See also
- Ironbridge Gorge Museums
- The Iron Bridge
- Ironbridge Power Station
- Coalbrookdale by Night
- Listed buildings in The Gorge
References
- ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "The Iron Bridge".
- ^ de Haan, David (17 February 2011). "The Iron Bridge – How was it Built?". BBC. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "The Iron Bridge". English Heritage. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-909644-11-3.
- ^ "European Severe Weather Database".
- ^ "Royal visit timetable". 9 July 2003. Archived from the original on 11 March 2005. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
- ^ "Ironbridge evacuated". 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Flooding at Ironbridge museums for third year running". Museums Association. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Adams, Geraldine Kendall (24 February 2022). "Flooding at Ironbridge museums for third year running". museumsassociation.org/.
- ^ Ironbridge Coracle Trust website
- ^ "Bright spark helped electrical revolution, Life and achievements of pioneer celebrated at special day". Shropshire Star. 8 September 2015. p. 16.Report by Toby Neal, title refers to Thomas Parker day being held 10 October 2015, organised by Madeley Living History Group.
- ^ The Who's Who of Radical Leicester by Ned Newitt Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "The Ironbridge Rocket". BBC Shropshire. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ Howse, Christopher (30 April 2010). "Meet the Telegraph's cryptic crossword maestro". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Ace’s two millionth brainteaser", Shropshire Star, 1 October 2007
- ^ "Ian Blakemore". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ Harvey, Ian (12 June 2021). "MBE for Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades in Queen's Birthday Honours". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "U.K. Death Metallers Cancer To Reform..." Blabbermouth.net. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2018.