One of our bridges is missing – have you seen it?
Following our practical digs at The Highwayman and the Kidlington allotments we investigated our findings in relation to the building of the Oxford Canal. Members of CCAG became very interested in the part of the Oxford Canal travelling through our area.
Two members explored the part of the canal where it flows between Langford Lane and Thrupp, looking for archaeological and historical clues to its past.
During this study we found some interesting features in the structure of Sparrow Gap Bridge (numbered 223) – more about this in a separate article, later.
Following our practical digs at The Highwayman and the Kidlington allotments we investigated our findings in relation to the building of the Oxford Canal. Members of CCAG became very interested in the part of the Oxford Canal travelling through our area.
Two members explored the part of the canal where it flows between Langford Lane and Thrupp, looking for archaeological and historical clues to its past.
During this study we found some interesting features in the structure of Sparrow Gap Bridge (numbered 223) – more about this in a separate article, later.
The next canal bridge after Sparrow Gap is Aubrey’s Lift Bridge in Thrupp (numbered 221). Thus, one of our bridges is missing, number 222.
There is no physical evidence of a bridge located between those numbered 223 and 221, and no record of it on current O.S. or Canal Cruising Club Maps. Local canal residents and Canal Cruising Club members were unable to offer any information about this missing bridge.
The Oxford Canal Company faced financial difficulties when constructing the canal. James Brindley’s approach followed the contours of the land, thus reducing the amount of earth to be moved. Taking a circuitous route avoided creating embankments, whilst tunnels reduced the need for cuttings. With further financial pressures, the northern section of the Oxford Canal was shortened in the 1830’s and this took away some bridges.
Could this explain why Bridge 222 is missing?
There is no physical evidence of a bridge located between those numbered 223 and 221, and no record of it on current O.S. or Canal Cruising Club Maps. Local canal residents and Canal Cruising Club members were unable to offer any information about this missing bridge.
The Oxford Canal Company faced financial difficulties when constructing the canal. James Brindley’s approach followed the contours of the land, thus reducing the amount of earth to be moved. Taking a circuitous route avoided creating embankments, whilst tunnels reduced the need for cuttings. With further financial pressures, the northern section of the Oxford Canal was shortened in the 1830’s and this took away some bridges.
Could this explain why Bridge 222 is missing?
I would like to suggest a different potential explanation. In Mrs Stapleton’s 1893 book [1], Bridge 222 is clearly shown on the map. It appears to be in-line with the 15th Century listed monument (‘The Cross’) and close to the Old Chapel in Thrupp. The 1896 map shows tracks leading away from the bridge, across the fields on the far side of the canal. It seems possible then that Bridge 222 may have been a wooden accommodation bridge allowing access across the canal to and from the Chapel, and this end of Thrupp.
The Old Chapel sits with its back wall to the canal. Originally a cottage, it was converted into a chapel and opened in 1876 as a Mission to the canal people by the Woodstock Baptist Chapel. Renovated in 1889, services were held at Thrupp until 1953 when a new church was acquired in Kidlington. Thrupp Chapel closed in 1954 and the building was sold. Whilst now converted to a private dwelling the exterior retains the appearance of the original chapel, complete with the 1876 date stone.
So – do you, or anyone in your family, or in your circle of friends remember seeing changes to the chapel in the 1950’s. Was Bridge 222 still there? Does anyone remember local stories about the bridge? Or hearing tales of fearful crossings of a wooden bridge?!
The Old Chapel sits with its back wall to the canal. Originally a cottage, it was converted into a chapel and opened in 1876 as a Mission to the canal people by the Woodstock Baptist Chapel. Renovated in 1889, services were held at Thrupp until 1953 when a new church was acquired in Kidlington. Thrupp Chapel closed in 1954 and the building was sold. Whilst now converted to a private dwelling the exterior retains the appearance of the original chapel, complete with the 1876 date stone.
So – do you, or anyone in your family, or in your circle of friends remember seeing changes to the chapel in the 1950’s. Was Bridge 222 still there? Does anyone remember local stories about the bridge? Or hearing tales of fearful crossings of a wooden bridge?!
This photograph (left) is of a wooden bridge across the Oxford Canal at Wormleighton in Warwickshire – might this be how Bridge 222 once looked? (photo by Neil Geering, 2005).
If you have memories to share, any information or perhaps different ideas to suggest about Bridge 222 please get in touch via our email address. We would love to hear from you.
If you have memories to share, any information or perhaps different ideas to suggest about Bridge 222 please get in touch via our email address. We would love to hear from you.
[1] The Oxfordshire Parishes – a history of Kidlington, Yarnton and Begbroke. Mrs B Stapleton. Clarendon Press, Oxford 1893
Eileen (CCAG member) May 2018
Eileen (CCAG member) May 2018