Dinckley Bridge

In an earlier blog, John posed this question in relation to Dinckley suspension bridge, "Why was such a striking structure erected in what seems an unimportant point on the river ?


The answer is that the bridge, built in 1951, replaced a ferry boat at Dinckley Ferry. This ferry across the River Ribble at this point carried pedestrians across the river between Hurst Green and Dinckley. It enabled workers from Hurst Green and Stoneyhurst to work at places like Brockhall hospital (now Brockhall village) and, further on, at Calderstones hospital in Whalley.

I have relatives who lived in Langho (on the south side of the Ribble) and talked of walking on Sundays from Langho and used the ferry to get to Hurst Green or Stoneyhurst for picnics. 
A welcome relief from their five-and-a half days working in the cotton mills.

Below is a water-colour painting (from the picture gallery at Donlan Towers) showing the original ferry boat.