Simon’s Bridge, 1901

Henry Simon lived at Lawnhurst, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, and in 1898 offered to finance the erection of an iron footbridge over the River Mersey near Ford Lane. As this was part of the river that was the shallowest between the villages of Northenden and Didsbury, the river had long been forded diagonally at this point. It was considered quite safe to cross the river on foot or on horseback until almost the end of the 19th century, but then obstructions on the bed diverted the flow of the water making the crossing hazardous and a bridge necessary. Simon’s Bridge was initially built to give easy access to Poor’s Field (see map: Didsbury in the 18th Century) which was then on the site of Didsbury Golf Club’s current visitors’ car par park and practice ground between Ford Lane and the river. Poor’s Field was bought in 1775 by the Didsbury Minister and Church Wardens. It was let to a tenant and the income used to distribute clothing and blankets to the poor of the area until 1881. Simon offered to build the bridge if the council would rent Poor’s Field and sublet it to working men as allotment gardens. The council agreed but met with difficulty when it came to buy a few square yards of land for the bridge, for the owner, Samuel Yates, asked £1,200 – an exorbitant sum. In the end the council got power from Parliament to buy the land for £25, a figure lower than they would have given in the first place. In addition to buying the land, the council made the roads and the foundations for the bridge and agreed to be responsible for its maintenance.

Unfortunately, Henry Simon died in 1899 and his son, Ernest Darwin Simon – later Lord Simon of Wythenshawe – assumed responsibility to oversee the project. Eventually, agreement was reached, the necessary land acquired and the bridge was erected. The year was 1901 – two years after the death of its donor, Henry Simon. The bridge enabled the people of Didsbury to cross the river safely and at no expense in order to use Poor’s Field.

As well as enabling people from Northenden and Didsbury villages to cross the river, the bridge opened up new possibilities. It enabled Didsbury Golf Club members to relocate their course on the site it now occupies. Previously, from 1891 until 1901, their nine-hole course was situated off School Lane in Didsbury village on fields rented from the owner of Whitehall Farm. Plans for the construction of a railway line extension through the farmer’s land meant that he had to give notice to the golf club to quit. This initially prompted Didsbury members to negotiate with Withington Golf Club with a view to the two clubs amalgamating, but agreement could not be reached. Details of these discussions were published in the Manchester Courier, a popular newspaper at the time. However, the bridge, and the opportunity to obtain land for a golf course, saved the day. This explains why Didsbury Golf Club, although situated in Northenden, is called Didsbury Golf Club. Nine holes were laid out, planned by George Lowe of St Anne’s, and a wooden clubhouse was built soon afterwards only to be burnt down in 1909. It was replaced by a brick building, its present clubhouse, later in that same year.

In addition, the bridge opened up opportunities for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, day-trippers, picnickers et al to enjoy the lovely local countryside – as is still the case to this day.