The Historic Footbridge of Shere
1866 Ink Drawing of the original lattice designed footbridge
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A ) have an ink drawing of the original Shere footbridge with the inscription at the bottom right of the drawing which reads: Sir Henry Cole was also a keen photographer and one of the earliest photo's of Shere Village can be viewed HERE, taken in 1850.
Photo's in year chronological order (oldest date first)Late 1880s
A wooden footbridge was initially built at the spot at some point between 1825 and 1840 to link the ornamental garden and the kitchen gardens of the Bray Estate. - click to view hand tinted postcard There has never been public access on it. When this bridge became unstable in 1911, it was replaced with another more robust design, until it eventually got taken down in 2010 "The Victorian Bray family would walk to church across the bridge. I remember standing on it and loving the view across the village," added Mrs Bray. "I think the last time anyone stood on it must be about five years ago, it was always very good for putting banners up on" "It’s been there for 99 years and as a village it has done us proud." A spokesman for Guildford Borough Council said: "The bridge is not listed, but it is an important feature within Shere Conservation Area. "Conservation Area Consent for the wholesale removal of such a structure would normally be required, but its removal has been agreed for public safety. "We will liase with the owners of the land and bridge to seek full repair and reinstatement of this much regarded feature."
CLICK TO VIEW Magnified photo - photo © Shere Museum
Victorian Lady, standing under the bridge 1892
CLICK to view a magnified version
A light, ornate design of bridge - CLICK TO VIEW
Discovery of an old Lantern Slide from 1898
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| Bridge detail | Bridge detail | TEAS | Bridge detail |
Pre-1911 footbridge and car
This photo held in the Shere Museum, shows the detail of the first built footbridge.
CLICK TO VIEW Magnified photo - photo © Shere Museum
The bridge became unstable in 1911, it was replaced with the one that many of us remember today and remained in place for 99 years. This footbridge is celebrated below.
Footbridge, Shere, 1911-2010
Harry Mason,
Estate Carpenter and Joiner
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| The WI Scrapbook gives us some information on the Bridge and who built it - Mr. Harry Mason |
Harry Mason - Born April 1864.
He was 47yrs old in 1911, when he built the bridge.
After some research on Harry, we have the following census documents,
Click each document below to view a larger image
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| Harry Mason - 1871 census - VIEW | Harry Mason - 1881 census - VIEW |
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| Harry Mason - 1891 census - VIEW | Harry Mason 1889 marriage certificate - VIEW |
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| Harry Mason - 1901 census - VIEW | Harry Mason - 1911 census - VIEW |
Harry and Emily Mason's son, Fredrick William Mason was listed as the Church Organist in the 1911 census, aged 19, so the family were very much part of the community.
Harry Mason died in January 1944, aged 79 at his home in Orchard Cottage, Lower Street.
Story continues lower down on this page, view 1944 section below
1911 ledger entry
Bray expenditure balance sheet - Note fifth entry down:
"New Bridge over Road" - £32.00
1911 Postcard - August 14th 1911
Exciting update - Is this the first ever photograph of the new bridge?
The New Bridge, Upper Street, Shere
A sincere thank you goes to Gill Hicks for sharing this card with us all.
The postmark clearly shows that the card was date stamped:
SHERE 7.30 PM AUG 14 11 (1911) - see detail below - We know that the bridge was built in that same year, so narrowing down the time period anywhere between January to July - The hunt continues...
Rear of postcard - Click HERE or on the images above, for more detail
1916 Magazine Cover
The front cover of a September 1916 Light Car & Cyclecar magazine. The vehicle passing underneath the footbridge is a period Morris Cowley, registered and manufactured in Oxford.
The Light Car & Cyclecar magazine was first issued in November 1912.
Many thanks to Peter W. Card, 'Chairman of The Michael Sedgwick Memorial Trust' for the cover image.
www.michaelsedgwicktrust.co.uk
Footbridge postcards
Footbridge, Shere, 1920s
Footbridge, Shere, 1938
Footbridge, Shere, 1938
Footbridge, Shere, 1940s
Upper Street - The Iconic Footbridge photo © Mr. Wilmut
Harry Mason - Parish Magazine - March 1944
For those of you who can't access PDF files, here is the relevant passage on page 2 of te magazine:
"IN MEMORIAM.
By the death of Mr. Harry Mason, on February 29th*, Shere loses a faithful friend and a good citizen. He was 79, and had been in failing health for several years. He was for very many years a choirman and bellringer. He was a man of upright character, and a loving husband and father, and we offer our sympathy to his family. His familiar and kindly presence among us will be sadly missed. R.I.P.
* The magazine printed the date wrong, it was January 29th as per the Death certificate.
Harry died in January 1944, aged 79 at Orchard Cottage (next to the Old Prison in Lower Street - Now 1 Orchard Road).
Above image: Part copy of Harry's Death Certificate - in respect to any of the family relatives who may still be alive, the full death certificate was and will not be published on this page. We would love to hear from anyone who may be related to Harry.
Harry and Emily Mason's son, Fredrick William Mason was listed as the Church Organist in the 1911 census, aged 19, so the family were very much part of the community.
In 1904, Harry and Emily had a double-family sadness when their son, Leonard (b. 1894) died aged 9 in 1904. In that same year Harry's father, Charles (b.1826 Albury) passed away aged 78.
Here is a short family tree for Harry Mason
Postcard - posted 14th April 1948
This insightful postcard titled 'Shere, The Bridge' mentions two interesting stories. The first mentions the fact that the writer of the postcard is off to Peaslake to have tea with Margaret Tarrant. Margaret Winnifred Tarrant was a talented artist and illustrator. The famous 'The Joy Book' has a full page painting of the 'White Horse Inn' at Shere.
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| The Joy Book - 1954 childrens publication | White Horse Inn at Shere |
In 1934, Margaret moved to Peaslake and made friends with the artist Molly Brett, whom she met on a course at Guildford School of Art. She continued to work until 1953, when her health, and particularly her eye-sight, deteriorated. In 1958, she finally let her house in Peaslake, and joined Molly Brett in Cornwall, where, on 28 July 1959, she died. READ MORE on the 1950-1999 Shere Village paintings web page.
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| Shere, The Bridge - postcard | 14th April 1948 - stamped 6.30pm |
The second story is relevant to the postcard and the Upper Street bridge. Reading the postcard...
...it appears that a huge crane was driving through the village and there wasn't enough height clearance.
Footbridge, Shere, 1950
Photo copyright, Francis Frith
Country Life Magazine
©Country Life Picture Library - Sincere thanks to Paula Fahey, Country Life Picture Library
Shere Village and the A25 Road bypass scheme - 1953
Featured in 'The Sphere' - 1953
Click on the image to read
Note: Note the bottom left hand photo:
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| Opening leaflet - Sat 7th May 1960 | Click on the leaflet above, to read | |
Press cutting
1960s
1960s Postcard
1967
January 1966 - Thank you to Wendy Lydall for sharing this photo with us - Wendy is in the photo
Zoomed image of the above photo - thanks Wendy
1967
Photo taken from the bridge towards the village centre - February 1967
1995
The footbridge decorated for the Shere and Gomshall VE Day Anniversary Celebrations
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| Front / Rear cover | Inside pages |
Surrey Advertiser - 19th May 1995
©photo Chris Capstick from the Rookery Nook
2004
2005
Photo copyright, Christopher Lee Marsh (2005)
The iconic bridge so brilliantly captured by Shere photographer, Christopher Marsh in 2005.
There are only 25 limited Edition photo's (Print Size : 295 x 435 mm - Frame Size : 610 x 740 mm Enquiries from treacle (Middle Street, Shere)
2006 - Parish Magazine
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| Parish Magazine - June 2006 | Page 24 - READ |
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| Upper Street - Leaving the village (looking West) |
2009 - Google Street View
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| East View - Entering Shere on Upper Street - VIEW | East View - Entering Shere on Upper Street - VIEW |
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| West View - Leaving Shere on Upper Street - VIEW | West View - Leaving Shere on Upper Street - VIEW |
2010 - October
NEWS ARTICLE: Historic but 'unsafe' bridge in Shere taken down
October 22, 2010
A HISTORIC footbridge running over a village road was removed this week after it was deemed unsafe by the local council.
The wooden bridge above Upper Street in Shere was taken down by Lampards on Tuesday morning (October 19) as the support structure for it appeared to be falling apart.
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| Upper Street - South Abutment (looking West) | Upper Street - North Abutment (entering the village, looking East) |
A spokesman for Guildford Borough Council said: "The bridge is not listed, but it is an important feature within Shere Conservation Area.
"Conservation Area Consent for the wholesale removal of such a structure would normally be required, but its removal has been agreed for public safety.
"We will liase with the owners of the land and bridge to seek full repair and reinstatement of this much regarded feature."
Tuesday October 19th 2010 - photo credit
The Shere Parish Council Minutes held on 22nd November 2010 noted: 10/115 Removal of the bridge over Upper Street, Shere – the Clerk reported that Shere Manor Estate had received several offers of help regarding the possibility of renewing and replacing the bridge. However, the first step in the process is for talks to be held with the Conservation Department officers of Guildford Borough Council. It had been noted that, in general, traffic was driving faster along Upper Street since the bridge had been removed. Mr Davey stated that Shere Museum was investigating the possibility of a link between the bridge and the Lutyens Trust. If one could be found then there might be a possibility of a
grant being available. VIEW SOURCE - Shere Parish Council
2010 - November
The November issue of Parish Magazine features
"End of the road for the Upper Street bridge?"
2010 - Parish Magazine - December
Renewed hope for Upper Street Bridge
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| Parish Magazine - December 2010 | Page 21 - READ |
2011 - Parish Magazine - March
Progress Report on Upper Street Bridge
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| Parish Magazine - March 2011 | Page 24 - READ |
2012 - Parish Magazine - November What's the future for an Upper Street bridge?
Double-spread feature in the November 2012 Parish Magazine
VILLAGE VOICES
Back page of the Parish Mag - VIEW
2012 - Parish Magazine - July
Upper Street bridge: the next steps
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| Parish Magazine - March 2011 | Page 28 - READ |
2015 - July
August 2015 Parish Magazine
Committee formed to press ahead with an Upper Street Bridge
8th September 2015
Group formed to restore famous 104-year-old Shere wooden bridge
Phil Warren with Maureen May and the 1911 wooden footbridge
The Shere Bridge Restoration project was formed to rebuild the wooden structure, with hopes to use two large oaks for the structure A new group has formed in Shere in an attempt to restore one of the village’s iconic landmarks. A wooden bridge was erected in 1911 in Shere, which spanned Upper Street from the A25, replacing an earlier structure. It linked the split gardens of the Bray estate, but had to be dismantled in October 2010 due to being deemed unsafe. Parts of the bridge have survived, including the centre span which has the date carved on it. Now villagers have started the Shere Bridge Restoration project, with the view of rebuilding the wooden structure. “For many there is now a large gap on the skyline, and over the years the question of a replacement bridge has been frequently discussed but the problem of cost and responsibility needs addressing,” a spokesman for the group said. “In 2014 two large oaks came down in the winter gales, and they were generously offered to Shere Parish Council for a new bridge. “Earlier this year the chairman of the parish council, Roy Davey, invited interested locals to form a committee to look into the possibilities, and at an open meeting six volunteers came forward. “The project has been named Shere Bridge Restoration. A chairman, Phil Warren, appointed, and an outline strategy formulated. “The bridge was such an icon that the committee hopes the public will join our community in supporting such a positive project. “In practical terms a feasibility plan and outline costs are needed, before a design is discussed in detail, though of course there will be no shortage of opinions on that score.” The group has said the project is in its early days, as the wood from the fallen tree is still green. Planning and highway matters also need addressing, and the group is appealing for skilled and interested volunteers to come forward, including those with engineering skills, to help with a feasibility study. ©2015 getsurrey |
Friday 4th September 2015 - Newspaper version
December 2015 -
Children's book aims to raise awareness of iconic bridge restoration project
Beautifully written story by Maureen May with lovely illustrations by Maggie Kyriacou.
An illustrated children's book has been created to raise awareness of the plight of a group of villagers' bid to save a former iconic bridge.
Back in August, a committee was formed with the aim of restoring what is considered to be one of Shere's most enduring landmarks.
December 2015 -
Parish Magazine
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| Parish Magazine - December 2015 | Page 29 - READ |
Guildford Borough Council Character Appraisal
Interesting inclusion in the Guildford Borough Council's,
Shere Conservation Area
Study and Character Appraisal
CONSULTATION DRAFT
Page 8:
"Half way up Upper Street is a timber bridge that spans the road and forms a local landmark. This was a former pedestrian link from the new Manor House to the Old Kitchen Garden. The bridge that exists today was built in 1911 and replaced an earlier rustic bridge. It is currently in need of extensive repair and is highlighted as a potential enhancement project."
SketchUp - Footbridge Model
Above: General View of the bridge.
Above: Underside showing metal braces cut (and bolted) into the lower part of the newel posts. (Some timber members omitted)
Special thanks to Tim for all the hard work in creating the above four views of the Shere footbridge using SketchUp to generate the model.
| UPDATE: The current estimate (April 2016) to exactly replicate the bridge in oak as per the Sketchup model above is £25,000 + VAT . This figure was put together by professional oakwrights and the quote is for designing, fabricating and erecting the bridge. Longer oak posts will be used as the supports. |
January 2016
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May 2016
Original resting place before the move
Friday 10th June 2016
The on-line Surrey Advertiser reports:
Plans to restore historic Shere bridge stalled after year-long campaign.
Residents of Shere came together last year with the aim of restoring the village’s 105-year-old bridge but the project has stalled.
Shere villagers are working to restore an iconic bridge
A fragile iconic bridge which a group of villagers are on a mission to restore has been moved to a temporary resting place.
Residents got together last year in Shere in an attempted to refurbish the wooden bridge which was erected in 1911 in the village.
It spanned Upper Street from the A25 and replaced an earlier structure, but was dismantled in 2010 after it was deemed to be unsafe.
The group is attempting to reinstate the bridge through the Shere Bridge Restoration project with the parts that have survived, which includes the centre span which has the date carved on it.
“We have been endeavouring to reinstate the old bridge over Upper Street for the past several months,” a spokesman for the project said.
“However, due to various difficulties, we are unable to do this in the short term.
“An action plan has been created to prevent further deterioration of the old bridge and to help raise funds for the renovation and storage of the framework until a final resting place can be found.”
The bridge was moved on Wednesday (June 8) ahead of the village’s street party on June 12 and the Shere open gardens event on June 26.
At the end of the month, repairs to the framework will be made, then it will be dismantled, boxed up and stored.
“It was touch and go as the fragile framework took its precarious journey to its temporary resting place, a few hundred yards, taking two hours and 30 minutes,” the spokesman said after the operation was completed.
“All thanks to Byron whose magnificent driving expertise and Christian’s cool head made it possible.”
To help with the project, an illustrated book was created to raise awareness of the group’s aim, and featured a fairy-tale for children about a group of animals who help save the bridge
‘Please Save the Bridge’ is available to buy in Shere shops, and will be available at the street party and open garden events.
Visit the website to read the story
Photos of the bridge move
All photos are now available to view
Friday 17th June 2016
2017 - Parish Magazine - January
End of the road in the sad saga of the Upper Street Bridge
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| Parish Magazine - January 2017 | Page 24 - READ |
2017 - Parish Magazine - March
Upper Street Bridge: the final resting place
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| Parish Magazine - March 2017 | Page 31 - READ |
4th May 2017
Good news - The bridge is now fully removed from the grounds of the Manor House...
...with the plan to re-assemble over the coming months. We have Tim Robinson to thank for stepping in and taking this Historic Footbridge to the next level.
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