Stannels Bridge shows patterns of rust and peeling paintwork.

Stannels Bridge is part of the Stratford Greenway, located just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. The disused railway track is now a haven for cyclists and walkers. A landmark structure near the start of the greenway is an old railway bridge. It was built in the early 1900s and formed part of the Great Western Railway. The steel girder structure allowed the railway line to cross the River Avon.

Stannels Bridge shows patterns of rust and peeling paintwork.
Close up of Stannels Bridge iron work shows patterns of rust and peeling paintwork.

Now used for recreational purposes, the rather grand structure shows signs of neglect, with rusting and peeling paint. The bridge has been well documented from a historical point of view. Many photographers have become fascinated by it, as this website demonstrates, with photographs dating back to 2012.

The interlacing pattern of iron girders of Stannels Bridge creates an imposing structure.
The interlacing pattern of iron girders of Stannels Bridge creates an imposing structure.

I spent time focusing on the details of the rust and peeling paint on Stannels bridge, then on the repeating patterns of the ironwork, and finally on an overview of the structure. I have taken several other pictures, as shown.

The paintwork of lStannels Bridge reveals the different layers added over the years.
The paintwork of lStannels Bridge reveals the different layers added over the years.

I am adding a few of my own photographs to this interesting iron bridge.

Stannels Bridge spans the river Avon which is seen in the background of this picture.
Stannels Bridge spans the river Avon which is seen in the background of this picture.

Stannels Bridge is a distinctive structure found along the Stratford Greenway, the former Great Western Railway line that once connected Stratford-upon-Avon with the wider rail network. Accessing the Greenway by foot or bike allows you to take in the old railway line. Stannels bring is near to the start of your journey on the Greenway.  Whilst you visit, you can add to the enjoyment of the day with two cafes offering refreshments. They are strategically situated along the Greenway and they are based in former passenger dining coaches.

Stannels Bridge is now part of the Stratford Greenway used by walkers and cyclists.
Stannels Bridge is now part of the Stratford Greenway used by walkers and cyclists.

This is an old account back in 2021 of my first visit cycling along the Stratford Greenway.

An angel wings mural

With this Lockdown, I am planning more varied walks.  Openmap is a clever tool as you can draw a radius on the map .  I am exploring what I can within 5 to 6 miles of where I live.  This is a distance that I can manage walking.  The weather has been cold and damp for most of the week and I planned an early morning walk into Solihull.  Having my camera with me, the aim was to capture the centre of Solihull and then compare this to the previous Lockdowns. 

Post box on Widney Manner Road
Post box on Widney Manner Road

My planned route took me via Widney Manor Rd into the town centre.  At the back of Touchwood shopping centre, I took a picture of the derelict building that used to be Rosie’s nightclub.  A delivery driver passing by wanted to know why I would be taking a picture of it.   Interesting conversation on why I was taking pictures of buildings in Solihull. 

Rosie's nightclub has seen better days
Rosie’s nightclub has seen better days

I moved through the main shopping streets Into Mell Square.  Here I found that there were many people just sitting around.  Some were chatting over cups of coffee, whilst others were just sat around starring into space.  Surely the present lockdown guidelines are not to linger and to treat the time you leave your house as exercise.  The place looked drab and people were listless.  The Angel murals lightened my mood although there was no one around to photograph by the mural. I will come back to take one when life is normalised.

A lone person is welcomed back
A lone person is welcomed back
People sitting around in Mell Square
People sitting around in Mell Square
Another lone person reflected in the water
Another lone person reflected in the water
Masks are worn all the time
Masks are worn all the time
People sitting around drinking coffee
People sitting around drinking coffee
Shops offer sales with no customers
Shops offer sales with no customers
Solihull High Street is virtually empty
Solihull High Street is virtually empty

I moved into Tudor Grange park where it was much brighter as the sun started to break through the clouds.  I took several pictures here including one of the duck pond.  The reflections of light made it look very attractive and the picture I took made the Midlands today weather bulletin.  The change of mood was palpable and there were more people moving around.

Walking into Tudor Grange Park
Walking into Tudor Grange Park
Happy walkers in the park
Happy walkers in the park
BBC Weather Watchers with Shafali Oza
BBC Weather Watchers with Shafali Oza
Tudor Grange Park
Skateboard Park, Tudor Grange Park

Feeling more cheerful, I made my way back home through the Monkspath housing estate and then onto footpath over the M42.  During this lockdown, I am being more adventurous with my walks and seeing more of the countryside.  It was an experience seeing the town centre and how people were coping with the lockdown.  With my camera, I hoped that I documented a day of Lockdown what I saw in Solihull was not pretty and was depressing.  However the parks and the countryside part of the walk cheered me up.

A couple of friends I met at the end of the walk
A couple of friends I met at the end of the walk

Photographic tip.  Documenting the lockdown is not easy.  You can get drawn into what is happening around you.  I took the pictures carefully and tried to ensure that people were not identifiable.  I did also want to convey the difficulties that people find trying to keep to the lockdown.

Sources

OpenMap for drawing radii from your location


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