Fretherne Bridge

Early twentieth century
By Jon Shaw
Photo:This early C20th photo is taken from a glass plate negative we have. It shows a view from near the Fretherne Bridge on the Gloucester to Sharpness canal. The white building to the right is the Turnpike House where, historically, tolls were collected from road users. The board on the right of the building is where toll charges were displayed. The road ahead is to Arlingham, whereas the road to the right is to Saul. This road to Saul was relatively new at this date, having been diverted at the time of the construction of the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal to save the canal company the expense of an additional bridge. Prior the construction of the canal the road from Frampton to Saul was Lake Lane which turned sharp left near the site of the current small roundabout near Lakefield School. The old road then joining the current road to Saul just before Malthouse Farm. At that time everything in what is now Bridge Road beyond the line of Lake Lane was in the parish of Saul. In the left foreground the start of the drive to Saul Lodge can be seen. Saul Lodge was built to provide accommodation for William Brown Clegram, the engineer who oversaw the construction of the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal in the C19th. In the early C20th Saul Lodge was purchased as a wedding present for Lionel E Darell, son of Sir Lionel Darell of Fretherne Court.
This gallery was added by Iris Capps on 12/07/2009.

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