Colwall bridge has stood since 1892 (From Malvern Gazette)

Colwall bridge has stood since 1892

10:37am Friday 24th August 2007 in Letters

I say, do you speak English Parlez-vous Francais Sprechen Sie Swahili or Dutch or Mandalay?

We shouted hoarsely cross no-man's-land raised our heads o'er parapet this looks like the work of Health & Safety but we're not beaten, not just yet Pedestrians, toddlers & horses cyclists, farmers too are tunnelling under the railway tracks here's a helmet & pick-axe for you while old folks down at Chevenham have built a human chain to carry Brownies across the line for their badges and home again Granny's got a paraffin can Uncle Jim an old bed sheet we'll flaming wave it at the Council show the Highways we're on heat Auntie Vi has made some biscuits the Scouts are doing the biz the village is in uproar well, my half is livid the other half looks empty like a glimpse of East Berlin across the barbed wire fencing Health & Safety tanks roll in By jove, it feels like Gaza or an enclave in Algiers we clasp the children to our breasts and sup the final beers Such tender years. Reception Class?

Not this side of the track.

Beau Thai, The Crown or Colwall Park No way. Alack, alack.

Dusk.

The Inter City train speeds through the bridge collapses. Is it true?

No, it's stood since 1892 we are not Minnesota.

This is Colwall Railway Bridge.

Are you receiving us?

This is Colwall.

Are you receiving us?

This is Colwall Adrian Mealing, Colwall.