In this episode of Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, it is the turn of Wandsworth Bridge. Something that sounds like a bit of a dry subject, but don´t worry Danny has found some surprisingly interesting things to say about it. Including, where its name and colour scheme comes from came from, why it is Putney Bridge's poorer cousin and its connection to A Clockwork Orange.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Eight of London´s bridges fall within the boundaries of Wandsworth.
• It was one of the last toll bridges to be built in London.
• A nearby manor house, now demolished,  was once called the "Jew's House".
• The bridge marks the point where the speed limit on The Thames changes.

BEST MOMENTS

“The unimpressive-looking Wandsworth bridge is probably the most boring bridge of all.”

“A large roundabout … very much a product of its time, like many other concrete crop circles that appeared during the 60s.”

“There were helicopters taking off and landing at all hours.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

Danny continues his Unusual Histories podcast with the Bridge Series, remaining in London travelling east to west to look at the bridges which span the Thames. He looks at their design, construction, and history, along with the history of the areas in which they're located on both sides of the river. This series kicks off with an exclusive interview with Dirk Bennett of the City Bridge Foundation, the organisation which looks after London's bridges. Tower Bridge is marking its 130th anniversary this month and Dirk talks to Danny about the history of the bridge as well as the new exhibition that is opening for it.

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…