Topic Selection Page
Use the Home Page link to go to another section of the river.
Copyright © R.Fast Jr. 2000
|
|
The Section of the Thames between the Bridges at Westminster and Putney
The building of the original Westminster Bridge, with an initiating parliamentary bill in 1836, was to have been funded by lotteries but eventually required funds from the public purse before its formal opening on Sunday 18/11/1750. It was not trusted by the public and hugely derided. This may have a familiar ring to New Millenium UK readers. The original Putney bridge was the first to be built between London Bridge and that at Kingston. Considerable efforts, and the payment of substantial compensation, were needed in 1726-7 to break the combined grip of the City of London, the bargemasters and the ferry owners. It has to be said that when looking at pictures of these early bridges and their multitude of narrow arches one can have great sympathy with the bargees. Between the two bridges the river passes through a considerable proportion of what is important and a lot of that which is charming in London as well as the poverty and grot that permeates the 21st century's way of living. There is also, in this stretch of the river's environs, something of a time line of the development of the conurbation over the past thousand years from the overbuilt eyot in the mouth of the Tyburn to the multinational scene of Chelsea F.C. on the Fulham side of Stamford bridge (which is not that where Harold fought his penultimate battle of 1066 A.D.).
More than two hundred items of information are available for this section of the river in the categories listed below.
When you have had a look round, or at any other time for that matter, we would be delighted to hear any comments, criticisms, corrections or suggestions for additions or deletions. In fact we will just be pleased to know that you are there. So, do mail us at r.fast.jr@lineone.net.
If you would like further information related to the items presented under each heading you will find that each item of information is annotated with the source(s) for what is presented and you will find detail of those sources
here. Some contact details of the local history organisations of the area are provided to help you to get in touch with them if you think it likely that you share their interests.
Copyright© R.Fast Jr.. Created: 06/11/1999 Updated: 04/10/2000