Lady’s Bridge is the oldest bridge across the River Don in Sheffield. Originally it was a wooden bridge constructed near to Sheffield’s castle, both of which were built by the Norman baron William de Lovetot. Historical records vary but the original construction date for the bridge is estimated to have been around 1150-60.
By the mid-1400s the bridge was re-built with stone and a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was also built nearby. As a result the bridge began to be referred to as “our lady’s bridge” in reference to the Virgin Mary’s presence.
Over the ensuing decades the bridge underwent many repairs, reconstructions and re-builds. During the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864, it was one of the few bridges to remain standing. Eventually, by the early 1900s, the bridge was widened to allow for trams to cross after previously being a pedestrian only construction. It has been a Grade II Listed Building since 1973.
2007 was a landmark year for the bridge. Not only did it have to sustain heavy flooding once again during the summer floods - putting the structures under serious pressure - but it became a bridge known, at least by name, around the world. Sheffield songwriter Richard Hawley named his 2007 album after the landmark, an album that went on to sell over 100,000 copies and was certified gold.The bridge remains today with some, such as Hawley, suggesting that after many years that it still acts as a literal and metaphorical divide between the east and west of the city.
Barbara lived very close to the bridge for years and this area appeared in both her music and documentary work, with the location holding a special place in her heart. Hawley would use the bridge for his album title but many years earlier in his Treebound Story days, he and Barbara utilised the location for a distinct photo shoot. Lady’s Bridge also featured as the backdrop to Barbara's photographs of the Stop the War march.
Daniel Dylan Wray
Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Steel, Street, Synth and Shutter exhibition was also made possible by many lovely crowdfunders and with support from Sensoria Festival.