The Port Meadow Bailey Bridge

70 years ago in September 1947, a WW2 era famous Bailey Bridge was erected by Royal Engineers at the southern (Medley) end of the Meadow, linking onto the Thames Path. A crowd of over 3,000 attended including the Mayor and Mayoress. It replaced a wooden pedestrian bridge washed away by the March flood.

An event was held on 17th September at the bridge, attended by Cllr Susanna Pressel, to commemorate the anniversary and to raise awareness of this amazing invention by Donald Bailey. A WW2 era 1/6th scale army training model was displayed by Peter Smith, along with some original bridge parts to explain to passers-by how the bridge was built. It is intended that fund raising for a permanent information board can begin after the WW1 aerodrome memorial is in place. In the meantime Freemen can access an overview document produced by Peter, on the website.