British Pathe © film
This is the description which comes with the film. Obviously a lot clearer to those who live here.
A bridge is constructed – (title says ‘Benfleet (Ben Fleet?)’, not sure what this refers to).
Opens with scene of various vehicles fording a flooded area or shallow river; while on left a bridge is being constructed. MS as horse-drawn cart and small bus cross; meanwhile in foreground a man is spreading the earth around; so as not to have deep ruts where they drive out of water? Cut to an old truck that died while still standing in water – the driver is at the front cranking away for quite a while.
Several trucks drive across – 1 with a large pipe held by men riding at the back. Small truck now started; drives out. Pedestrians carefully walk across stepping on narrow strip sticking up. Pan left over frame of new bridge under construction. MS Rolls Royce crossing. Man crossing carrying bicycle; another wheels his across.
Ceremony for dedication of new bridge: crowd on bridge – Girl Guides lined up; priests stand at right. Priests shake hands with VIP who has arrived. VIP meets other men. CU worker with machinery – VIP flips switch. Clergyman says prayer; then they; followed by VIP with wife etc. walk down ramp. 2 little girls give bouquets to ladies. MS crowd around a tower / scaffolding / pan up – various shots as block on top keeps dropping onto pole (like pistons) hammering it down. CU pole sinking deeper in ground. MS vehicles fording river.
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Can anyone name the people in this film including the two photographers seen standing there? Who are the Councilors?
According to Geoff Barsby’s book the official ceremony in this film was in May 1930 when Brigadier Colvin drove the first pile for the new bridge. So therefore I am assuming the man who pulled the leaver was Brigadier Colvin the man whom the bridge was named after.
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