◊ 'Clifton Suspension Bridge' - A riverside walk along the Avon Gorge probably during the first decade of the twentieth century with Isambad Kingdom Brunel's Clifton suspension bridge above. Vessels ply their trade below as seagulls search for a tasty morsel or two!

This postcard image has been kindly donated by David Ings author of the 2016 book entitled 'Penarth History Tour' as well as previous publications 'Penarth in old picture postcards' in 2 volumes - all of which are a good read! [654][20181022]

◊ 'Suspension Bridge, Clifton from Rownham Ferry' - Another Edwardian view from nearby the ferry crossing. Rownham Ferry was an important crossing point of the River Avon from at least the 12th century and subsequently ferry services continued until the end of 1932. [654] [20181022]

Children's Remarkable Escape - 'The most pathetic story - and most merciful escape - was that of two little girls, aged respectively twelve and three, who were thrown over the bridge shortly after one o'clock in the morning in September, 1896. They had come to Bristol with their father - a grocer, of Birmingham - who had been upset by business troubles. The man and his children went on the bridge, and the two little girls were thrown into the river at the precise moment when, by providential chance, a pilot boat from Pill happened to be immediately at hand. The boat was going up river with the pilots who had to take out steamers on the morning tide, James Hazell, its owner, being one of the party. As Hazell and his men passed under the bridge, a noise was heard. It seemed to the men a ringing sound. The boat was not more than twenty yards free of the bridge before one splash and then another were heard, followed by the frightened cry of a child. Immediately the head of the boat was turned, and a body was discovered, lying face down on the surface of the water. This proved to be eldest of the two girls, and she had hardly been pulled into the boat before another cry was heard. In almost a second the boat was again turned, and close at hand was discovered the second child lying on her back and crying. The youngest girl appeared but little hurt by the fall from the bridge, but her sister was in sore plight, and lost consciousness. The eldest girl, whilst lying in hospital, told in her dispositions to the magistrates of her wanderings with her father and sister, explaining that "she had to look after her little sister." and declaring that her father had always been good and kind, but had worried over business matters. Both girls fully recovered from their terrible adventure, and the father, who had been found walking slowly in the neighbourhood of the bridge, was, upon trial at Bristol Assizes, held not accountable for his actions.' - taken from an article 'Bridge of Suicides' published within the Weekly Mail [067] [361] 11th November 1905. [20181022] - newspaper photograph and text left [666] - from September 1896 [20181222]