Across the Union Bridge to England

[cessna152towser]

On Sunday I went to a vintage rally at the Chain Bridge Honey Farm in Northumberland. Water had formed a natural defence against invasion for many centuries but following the Treaty of Union bridges were built to enable the development of trade. My planned crossing into England was via the Union Bridge over the River Tweed but on arrival there I found that my transport was too big for the bridge, the entrance arch of which can be seen in the background. As it was not far to my destination on the English side of the river I decided to walk from here, rather than take a lenghty detour via Coldstream or Berwick-on-Tweed.

A fifty year old Rover P4 series eases across the bridge on its way to the rally. The Union Bridge was designed by Captain S. Brown of the Royal Navy and was completed in 1820. The bridge deck is suspended from chains. There is a width restriction on vehicles of six feet six inches and a weight restriction of two tons. On the Scottish bank the chains are anchored to a tower which has an arch through it, while on the English bank the chains are anchored to a buttress which takes the form of an identical tower without the arch, behind which the ground rises steeply.

The view from the bridge. On the left bank of the river is Scotland where in the centre of the picture in the distance the roof of Paxton House, the residence of the Home Robertsons, can just be seen above the trees. The right bank of the river is England.

Arriving ashore in England, showing the English tower to which the bridge chains are anchored and which has no arch as the road takes a very sharp right turn where it is confronted by steeply rising ground.
More to follow shortly.

[cessna152towser]

Up on the plateau where the rally was being held, the abundance of St. George flags confirmed that I had crossed the border from the land of the Saltire.

The English army were on the lookout for spies from Scotland

An array of military vehicles

Some German ones too.

The 'mericans were also represented.
The owner of this 1965 Cadillac told me that its seven litre engine does nine miles to the gallon.

This 1960 ERF KV4 flatbed lorry, YWS111, owned by the Chain Bridge Honey Farm is quite famous, as a scale model of it has been mass produced in China. I have a 1/76 scale model of this lorry on my model railway.

All the usual attractions, a funfair and craft stalls, but the presence of jazz bands rather than pipe bands and the absence of kilts around the beer tent are evidence that this is an English day out rather than a Scottish games.
More to follow shortly.

[cessna152towser]

A Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier.

Two London buses in use as a back screen for the falconry display to dissuade the birds from flying off over the open fields beyond.

An encounter with an owl.

The steam tractors were built in the twenty first century in the style of those of a hundred years earlier.


When World War II ended, the Vickers Engineering Company decided to use their experience of building military tanks to produce a rugged civilian vehicle which could work as a tractor or as a bulldozer. The Vickers VR180 Vigor was powered by a 12.7 litre Rolls-Royce engine and was produced until 1961. Here, our host, Stephen Robson demonstrates ploughing using the Vigor to drag the cultivator.

A West Highland terrier and his master, visiting from Scotland, admire a vintage Ferguson tractor.

As the day drew to a close, the contingent of Scottish built Albion lorries left for home, with the 1967 Albion Reiver leading an Albion Claymore of a slightly older vintage. Note the Westie is now comfortable on his cushion in the cab of the Reiver, master of all he surveys!

A view of the bridge from the English bank as I made my way towards it.

Concluding this set of pics with one which might be captioned "Walking Home to Scotland" as I made my way across to the waiting vehicle on the Scottish bank of the Tweed.

[freddie]

Great pics as usual Alex. It must have been a lonly feeling being the only kiltie there - and no pipes
I always get a strange feeling when looking across the Tweed. The distance seems so short and yet the nations seem so far apart at times. By the way, is that the Paisley tartan you're wearing ?

[Inchessi]

Okay, I may be near sighted, but I love the tractors! That Vickers is beautiful, I would love to operate her.

The rest of the pics were really good as well.

[cessna152towser]

By the way, is that the Paisley tartan you're wearing ?

Yes indeed, that is the Paisley tartan.

[McClef]

One of the more interesting bridges between Scotland and England there Alex!

[Sir William]

What a cool bridge!

When I come over next, I'm going to ask you to tell me where all these neat border crossings are that you've sent photos of. (I may want to go reiving and will need to know when I'm safely back o'er the Border!)

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for the photos Alex. Always look forwarded to going out with you on your days out. I think I have have seen more of Great Britian with you than when I have been was there personally. Keep those photos of days out comming.

[sydnie7]

What wonderful photos. Those old buses, lorries, and military vehicles are wonderful. We saw any number in museums during our UK trips but that was prior to my days on XMarks so we missed knowing about these field days!

Fascinating bridge as well and I think I'd have been happier walking across than driving. . .