IRONBRIDGE

:''This article is about the settlement near a bridge of great historical importance for its innovative use of metal. For detailed information about the structure itself see The Iron Bridge.''
'Ironbridge' is a settlement beside the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge in Telford, Shropshire, England. It lies in the parish of The Gorge, in the borough of Telford and Wrekin. The village developed beside, and takes its name from the famous Iron Bridge, a 30 metre (100 foot) cast iron bridge that was built across the river there in 1779.

Contents

History

Present day

Flooding

See also

References and notes

External links

History

The area around Ironbridge is described as the "Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution" because it includes Coalbrookdale and Broseley, where Abraham Darby I perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, allowing much cheaper production of iron. The grandson of the first Abraham Darby, Abraham Darby III, built the famous bridge to link the two areas in 1779. Soon afterwards the ancient Madeley market was relocated to the new purpose built Square and Georgian Butter Cross and the former dispersed settlement of Madeley Wood gained a planned urban focus as Ironbridge, the commercial and administrative centre of the Coalbrookdale coalfield. The Iron Bridge proprietors also built the Tontine Hotel to accommodate visitors to the new Bridge and the industrial sights of the Gorge. On the hillside above the river are situated the stone-built 16th century hunting Lodge at Lincoln Hill, many 17th and 18th century workers cottages, some imposing Georgian houses built by ironmasters and mine and barge owners, and many early Victorian villas built from the various coloured bricks and tiles of the locality.
St Luke's Church (1837) in simple commissioners' gothic by Samuel Smith of Madeley, has stained glass by David Evans of Shrewsbury. The living was endowed as a rectory when the parish was created from Madeley in 1847 and is now a united with Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock, in the Diocese of Hereford. The former Iron Bridge and Broseley railway station, on the Severn Valley line (GWR) from Hartlebury to Shrewsbury, was situated on the south side of the Iron Bridge until 1966.

Present day

By the 19th century, Ironbridge had had many well-known visitors including Benjamin Disraeli, but by the mid-20th century the village was in decline. In 1986 though, Ironbridge became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which covers the wider Ironbridge Gorge area) and has become a tourist attraction. Most industries in Ironbridge are now tourist related; however, the Merrythought teddy bear company (established in 1931) was still manufacturing in Ironbridge until December 2006, when the factory was closed. Amongst other things, the village is still host to a Post Office, pharmacy, various pubs, cafés and many successful shops.
An annual Coracle Regatta is held in August on the River Severn at Ironbridge, along with many other events throughout the year. Just outside Ironbridge in Coalbrookdale is the Ironbridge Institute, a partnership between the University of Birmingham and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust offering postgraduate and professional development in heritage.

Flooding

Ironbridge village has an annually recurring problem of flooding from the River Severn, as do many other Shropshire residents. From February 2004, a DEFRA funded scheme in association with the Environment Agency was implemented, in which a portable barrier is erected at times of floods. At its peak, the floodwater reached a depth of one-metre against the barrier, which in previous years has caused much damage and disruption to the Wharfage, which accommodates both The Swan and White Hart pubs, Homeward Bound Home & Gift Store, Darlingtons of Ironbridge and various private homes.

See also

★ Ironbridge Gorge Museums

★ The Iron Bridge

★ Ironbridge Power Station

References and notes

1. National Statistics - Neighbourhood statistics by ward

External links

★ Shropshire TourismThe official tourism website for Shropshire

★ Ironbridge Visitor Guide

★ Ironbridge Archaeology

★ Ironbridge Photo Gallery

★ Ironbridge tourist information

★ Map of UNESCO World Heritage Site

★ The Merrythought Teddy Bear Company

★ Images of Ironbridge on Shropshire Gallery

★ Images of Ironbridge on Fotopic