48. Bridges

Holme Bridge

The beginning of Holme Lane would be a footpath leading from Sutton across the valley. The Holme Beck would have to be forded.

The first bridge would in all probability be made of wood. Of this there is no record.

Built into the present bridge is a stone having a date on it of 1690. Perhaps the first stone bridge was built at this data.

In the township books are many references to the repairing of this bridge. On August 20th 1734, are entries "For repairing Holm Bridge £3-." - "For one rail at Holm Bridge 2d." In Sept 1736 is:- "Spent when Holm Brigg removed out of Beck 1/-." Evidently the bridge had collapsed, and the stones had to be removed from the water. The next entry is the same month, and shows that 2/3 were spent when Holme Bridge was ordered to be re-built. Evidently it did not last very long. Perhaps a wooden bridge had served for some years for there are several entries about building the bridge in 1754 and at the end of this entry "These all is payd towards building a Stone Bridge over Holm Beck in Sutton".

In 1767 there was a meeting held to contract for workmen to rebuild the bridge. There are instructions that "the workmen are not to be paid for their work until the work be finished in a workman like manner". The total cost of the bridge was £21.18.3.

This bridge lasted, with certain improvements and much repairing until 1914. By this time it was quite unsafe for heavy traffic, and a new bridge was built. The bridge takes its name from its position between two streams, the Glusburn Beck and the Sutton Beck. The land between two streams was called a "holme".

The Falls Bridge

In 1632 the Falls Bridge, connecting the town gate with the Howarth [sic] Road was built. The date of erection was cut on a stone. This was then built, face downwards, into the bridge. It was seen when the bridge was widened, some years ago. The building of this bridge would be a great convenience to the Sutton people, for at this place the banks of the stream are steep and it would be difficult to ford.

There are the usual records of the repairs to this bridge in the township records.

The year 1767 was evidently one of great activity by the surveyors. It was in this year that the rebuilding of the Holme Bridge was undertaken, and also the Falls Bridge was rebuilt and the road near put into good condition.

The New Pier Bridge

This bridge is never referred to by the above name. It is always called the "Nineteen Hundred Bridge" from the date of its erection.

It crosses the Holme Beck some distance above the Holme Bridge. It is not on a road, merely a cart track from Sutton to Glusburn, and is not used for traffic. There had been a wooden bridge in this place from about 1854. Towards the end of the century the matter of building a stone bridge became a burning topic in township affairs. In the year 1900 the magistrates ordered that a stone bridge should be built there.

The only other bridge of note is what is known as the "Bull Bridge" from its position near the Black Bull Inn.

The stream is wide at this point, and the bridge would be difficult to make because of the curve in the stream.

It is not mentioned in the early township accounts, and I think it must be of comparatively recent construction. The only record is that in 1868 it was ordered to be widened at a township meeting.