Yoxall Lodge Big Bridge

Yoxall Lodge: The Big Bridge 07.04.07


After many delays due to problems with the supply of suitable timber, we finally installed the big bridge at Yoxall Lodge on Easter Saturday. Made of solid oak, the bridge is a massive 40 feet (12m) long. The main problem was to move the two 40-foot spans without breaking them. This was done with a lot of bodies, and a set of wheels under the middle. These then had to be manoeuvred across the field, through the woodland and up to the bank of the lake. With the aid of ropes, using the trees as pulleys and Matt in the lake with a pair of waders, each span was put in place. Once this had been done, the rest was plain sailing; we had marked all the joints and it was put together in no time. It's always nice to complete a project in one day and see the results. We are now negotiating to put in the third river crossing over the Trent! Many thanks to everyone for their help, and to Shane for the report and photos.