In Reply to: Re: old foot bridge posted by UTP on May 26, 2006 at 16:00:12:

Remember the wooden bridge beside the discharge pipe from the hat factory. No EPA around at that time to monitor water quality. As I recall it there were always some boards missing from walkway. The new concrete footbridge was built in the 60s as part of the drainage scheme adjacent to what we called "the three pillars". I can recall swimming under the new bridge and on the low side of the weir. We were terrified of the eels which allegedly swarmed at the bottom. Perhaps the new weir prevented eels returning to their spawning place. Do eels travel huge distances like salmon ? I can also remember swimming on the lake side of the weir on a warm Sept (67/68) evening after school and the enormous figure of Bro. Pascal ,aka Snowball , on the bank complimenting us on our healthy recreation !