Site Meeting
Gelly Babes - Track 10
4th/5th September 1971
During one of my regular digs through the web we stumbled across Gordons fine site on Warrington which had mention of Blaster taking out a bridge near Bank Quay station. He in turn put us in touch with Peter Spilsbury who was kind enough to do some digging and came up with what we have here.
Gelly Babes - Track 10
4th/5th September 1971
During one of my regular digs through the web we stumbled across Gordons fine site on Warrington which had mention of Blaster taking out a bridge near Bank Quay station. He in turn put us in touch with Peter Spilsbury who was kind enough to do some digging and came up with what we have here.
So far there is no documentery evidence for this one but the tale has been rattling around the local area for some years and Blasters name always comes up. It also seems we have two for the price of one!
Its quite possible Blaster blew the bridge at Bank Quay at 2am then another a few miles down the line near Moore at 9am.
Its quite possible Blaster blew the bridge at Bank Quay at 2am then another a few miles down the line near Moore at 9am.
The story you know (if you don't go get yourself a copy of Gelly Babes) Below are some pictures taken by Peter Spilsbury. The first shows Bank Quay bridge just prior to demolition. The second and third shots show how it looks now.
Bank Quay Bridge August 2007
Bank Quay Bridge July 1971
The second blast that day was schedualed to take place at 8am at Moore Bridge again there was a delay which ment the demolition did'nt take place till 9am
Moore bridge is just down the line from what was Moore station which closed in 1943.
Moore bridge is just down the line from what was Moore station which closed in 1943.
The Bridge was due to be blown at 11am on the 4th September but the Blackpool train was late. It finaly arrived at 1.45am. The bridge was finaly blown at 2am on the 5th.
Peter was in a nearby hospital at the time and remembers "It was like a heavy thud, then a sense of a slight tremor"
Peter was in a nearby hospital at the time and remembers "It was like a heavy thud, then a sense of a slight tremor"
The pictures were taken from the end of the current station platform facing North.
The current station opened in 1868 and was a replacement for the original station sited just the other side of the bridge which opened in 1834.
The current station opened in 1868 and was a replacement for the original station sited just the other side of the bridge which opened in 1834.
Other points of interest.
Approxamately 1 mile SSW (2miles by road) from Moore bridge is All Saints Church, Daresbury "The Alice in wonderland Church" being connected with Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) having been born in the parsonage at Newton-by-Daresbury on 27 January 1832 His father was the rector at the time.
Approxamately 1 mile SSW (2miles by road) from Moore bridge is All Saints Church, Daresbury "The Alice in wonderland Church" being connected with Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) having been born in the parsonage at Newton-by-Daresbury on 27 January 1832 His father was the rector at the time.
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Below is a shot taken from the top of a "Big Wheel" situated on the lawn of the Town hall during the Christmas celebrations. As you can see from the top of it you could get excellent views of the town and surrounding area. Shown is Liverpool Road and Bank Quay bridge. Note the "new" brickwork in the wall of the bridge where it was raised.
Many thanks go to Peter Spilsbury of Warrington for the information and pictures on this page.