The Story of Devon’s Bridges Devon is a county of rivers and thus of bridges – there are over 5,000 all told. This is the story of how builders have developed Devon’s network of bridges to meet changing needs and greatly increased trade and traffic, adapting and adopting new materials and new engineering techniques as occasion offered and needs demanded. Illustrated with over 100 digital images, this talk takes the story through from the earliest river crossings – fords, stepping stones, clam and clapper bridges – through stone arched structures, turnpike bridges, railway bridges and viaducts; concluding with 20th and 21st century road and footbridges.
Views: 822 | Enquiries: 1Formerly a teacher, I am a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local history (my first degree subject). To date, I have published 70 Devon, Dorset, Cornish and Somerset titles (see www.roberthesketh.co.uk) and written numerous illustrated articles for The Countryman, Dartmoor Magazine, Country Walking and other publications. I also contribute West Country landscape and people photographs to photographic libraries, see www.picfair.com . Since 2002, I have been giving talks to local history clubs, Women’s Institutes, societies, U3A and Probus Clubs on Devon themes
Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a booking. All the talks are illustrated with high resolution digital images and last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on what the audience wants. Questions from the audience are always welcome. I can supply the projector, laptop, projection stand and projection screen. Alternatively, I can offer all my talks on Zoom. To see my profile please visit my website www.roberthesketh.co.uk
Adrienne Hesketh (my better half) is a talented musician who also gives talks and live performance. She plays piano and recorder and her contact details are the same as mine. She also sings and dances and has her own website www.adriennehesekth.com
Charges: £60 plus 40p per mile travel each way from Bovey Tracey. (No mileage charge for Zoom talks).
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