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Ironbridge is a settlement on the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge in Telford, Shropshire, England. It lies in the parish of The Gorge, in the borough of Telford and Wrekin. The village developed beside, and takes its name from the famous Iron Bridge, a 30 metre (100 ft) cast iron bridge that was built across the river there in 1779.
[edit] History
The village, from the bridge
The area around Ironbridge is described as the "Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution" because it is near a the place where Abraham Darby I perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, allowing much cheaper production of iron. The grandson of the first Abraham Darby, Abraham Darby III, built the famous bridge - originally designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard - to link the two areas. It opened in 1779. Soon afterwards the ancient Madeley market was relocated to the new purpose built square and Georgian Butter Cross and 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 Tontine Hotel to accommodate visitors to the new Bridge and the industrial sights of the Severn Gorge. On the hillside above the river is are situated the stone-built 16th century hunting Lodge at Lincoln Hill, many 17th and 18th century workers cottages, some imposing Georgian houses built by ironmasters and mine and canal barge owners, and many early Victorian villas built near from the various coloured bricks and tiles of the locality.
St Luke's Church (1837) in simple commissioners' gothic by Samuel Smith of Madeley, has stained glass by David Evans of Shrewsbury. The living was endowed as a rectory when the parish was created from Madeley in 1847 and is now a united with Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock, in the Diocese of Hereford. The former Iron Bridge and Broseley railway station, on the Severn Valley line (GWR) from Hartlebury to Shrewsbury, was situated on the south side of the Iron Bridge until 1966.
[edit] Present day
By the 19th century, Ironbridge had had many well-known visitors including Benjamin Disraeli, but by the mid-20th century the village was in decline. In 1986 though, Ironbridge became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which covers the wider Ironbridge Gorge area) and has become a major tourist attraction within Shropshire. Most industries in Ironbridge are now tourist related; however, the Merrythought teddy bear company (established in 1931) is still manufacturing in Ironbridge. Amongst other things, the village is still host to a Post Office, pharmacy, various pubs, cafés and many successful small shops.
An annual Coracle Regatta is held in August on the River Severn at Ironbridge, along with many other events throughout the year. Just outside Ironbridge in Coalbrookdale is the Ironbridge Institute, a partnership between the University of Birmingham and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust offering postgraduate and professional development in heritage.
A number of historical sites in the village, including the wharfage and the bridge itself, are waypoints on the South Telford Heritage Trail.
[edit] Flooding
Ironbridge has an annually recurring 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, Homeward Bound Home & Gift Store, Darlingtons of Ironbridge 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 against the barrier.
[edit] See also
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[edit] References and notes
- , National Statistics - Neighbourhood statistics by ward.
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |