WITH celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Barmouth Bridge taking place this weekend, the history of the impressive timber viaduct is being explored.

The town’s Dragon Theatre is hoping to exhibit its history and is appealing to readers for help.

“Do you have a story about Barmouth Bridge?” a spokesperson asked.

“Do you have a painting, or photo, or scale model built in matchsticks, or some old toll tickets, or other memorabilia?

“Please get in touch because we’d love to hear from you.”

The aim is to fill the Dragon Theatre with bridge-related artwork, photography and memorabilia as part of the Barmouth bridge 150th celebrations.

Also, as part of the theatre’s Britain on Film project for the British Film Institute, they’ll have archive films showing in the main theatre and photographs from the amazing digital archive put together by Hugh Roberts.

On Saturday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 11.30am Trevor Roberts will give a talk, illustrated by photographs and anecdotes, about the history of the bridge and the railway. The theatre will be open to visitors from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday (14 and 15 October). Refreshments will be on sale and entry is free.

Elsewhere, one of the designers of the bridge has been the subject of a TV show.

Benjamin Piercy from Trefeglwys near Caersws in Montgomeryshire is remembered in Italy, where he is still praised for transforming life in Sardinia by designing and building the island’s railway system almost 150 years ago.

At around the same time, he and Henry Conybeare designed Barmouth Bridge.

Piercy’s work is explored in Dylan ar Daith; o Drefeglwys i Sardinia which is available on demand on s4c.cymru, iPlayer and other platforms and will also be screened again on 14 October at 11.30pm (audio signed version) and on 25 October at 10.45pm.

This weekend (14-15 October) Barmouth will be awash with residents and visitors celebrating the iconic bridge’s 150th anniversary.

On Saturday night at 8pm, a laser show and fireworks on the quay will serve as the weekend’s highlight.

There will also be exhibitions, films, treasure hunts, a performance by Batala Bermo and a Victorian Tea Party taking place throughout the town over the course of Saturday and Sunday.

If you have any bridge memorabilia, please contact the Dragon Theatre on 01341 281697.

Read the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News