SPECTACULAR NEW BRIDGE OPENING
The long awaited new footbridge finally opened to the general public on Friday 4th July 2008. Below are just a brief selection of the images we captured on the day.

The crowds gather at the new bridge

Even the weather was perfect

Councillor Peter Box performs the official opening

Alison makes her way across the bridge

Alison, Eric and Kevin McCloud with the winners of the
'First to cross the Bridge' competition

The Romans cross the bridge

Alison chats with bridge designer Renato

A view from the new bridge in the early evening

Fireworks on Lock Lane for the evening's switch on
of the bridge lights

Kevin and Renato

Alison at the official switch on of the bridge lights

Fabulous views from the new bridge

The four Channel 4 TV programmes featuring Castleford were shown throughout August and certainly raised the profile of the town nationally.

We also received an email from an ex Castleford resident Jill Scorah who contacted one of our trustees Eric Crossland to express her views about the town and the recent regeneration. This is what Jill had to say....

"Fuelled by the current Channel 4 programmes, a day out in Castleford (our home town), was top of the list for my family's annual summer get together.
Our first stop was the play ground at "Airedale Green" although it was always know as the "Bowling Green" to us. My grandchildren aged 9 and 5 years old and some of the adults fully tested the play area. Verdict by all was it was very enjoyable, created with the involvement of local children and evidently well used.

Our visit to Fryston confirmed our views reached at the end of the recent programme which were those of Kevin McCloud.

Then onto the Bridge - amazing, invigorating, exciting just our initial thoughts! We were very fortunate to meet you and your family and very grateful to you for taking the time to chat to three of my family who all seemed to have different questions. I have visited the web site now and will be eagerly awaiting updates of the progress of your Roman Baths Project and hopefully we will bump into you again on our next visit."

Jill Schorah

In the year 2000 the people of Castleford voiced their desire to reclaim and celebrate our rich heritage, and use it to achieve regeneration. The Roman archaeology, artefacts and social and industrial collections have over time been sold off, knocked down, covered over or taken away. The Castleford Heritage Group was formed as an umbrella organisation with representatives from other groups in the town with an interest in heritage and culture.

As a catalyst for real renaissance in Castleford, the Group envisaged the creation of a new museum, with hands-on, cross generation activities to enable us to tell our story.

In 2001 we commissioned a Feasibility Study which was undertaken in close liaison with the community. It recommended a multi-functional facility including a museum with visible and accessible museum store, library, art gallery and resource centre. The Castleford Forum was born. We also secured funding from HLF to employ a Community Facilitator to refine the community’s vision for the project through extensive consultation.

As well as driving forward the Castleford Forum the Heritage Group, with over 300 members, has developed and run many acclaimed projects and events, including an annual week long Heritage Festival, performances, art exhibitions including, Castleford’s Son: Shaping Henry Moore, and an innovative heritage trails project producing a book and public art works for the town.