Delph Bridge

Following on from Cadfael’s mention of Delph Bridge in a recent Thread.

The Hall Of Ince was across the road from Ince Cemetery … near Delph Bridge.

I’ve often wondered about the bridge’s inscription - “G. G. Delph Bridge” - I think?


Photo Aug 2019 The Lodge has since been sold and renovated

I should imagine at one time there was a quarry nearby, maybe even clay-pits. A 'delf' is a quarry, as well as a form of crockery.

https://findwords.info/term/delph

Thanks Cadfael, so G.G. may have been the initials of the quarry’s name?

I've always thought it meant an open excavation. Hence the word for digging is "delving" (from delph, delve)

There is an ‘Old Quarry’ shown on the OP map, just South West of Delph Bridge.
Ticsmon, I like your explanation of the word ‘delving’.

Ticsmon wrote:I've always thought it meant an open excavation.  Hence the word for digging is "delving"  (from delph, delve)

Would you not class a quarry as an open excavation? I think your explanation is pretty much spot on.

ramiejamie wrote:There is an ‘Old Quarry’ shown on the OP map, just South West of Delph Bridge.

Bloody hell! I did look on the map to see if there was a quarry and totally missed it! In my defence I was looking to the western edge because of the name f the cottages... 'Delph View'. Oh... and even though you said south west I knew you meant south east!

"even though you said south west I knew you meant south east"


Spot on Cad, how remiss of me 

jo anne wrote:Thanks Cadfael, so G.G. may have been the initials of the quarry’s name?

I’ve been doing some research on WW and other sites and wonder could the inscription actually be:

G.C. Delph Bridge - Great Central Delph Bridge?

That sounds like a plausible explanation  Jo Anne, well done you.

I noticed this inscription on a wall beside Manchester Road in Higher Ince today
- on the LHS if you’re heading to Hindley, just before you get to Walmesley Park on RHS.

The G.C. initials feature again, but I’m not fully convinced it is G.C.?

I’ve been past the remnants of another bridge today in Hindley (WW Thread)

C. C. Stoney Lane Bridge

I think the C. C. must stand for County Council (of Lancashire)?

The G in the word Bridge it different from the C.C.... but it was bad design, the C dos look like a G.