Royal Watch News

Princess Anne to open new bridge

Oct 22, 2012, 11:02 GMT

Princess Anne

Princess Anne will open a new bridge in Cumbria, Northern England, today (22.10.12).

The Princess Royal will open the £11.2 million Northside Bridge in Workington, which will include a memorial to PC Bill Barker, who died when the original bridge collapsed in November 2009.

Princess Anne will be Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony and will be presented with a posy by PC Barker's youngest daughter, 10-year-old Emma.

The opening of the bridge will be the first time PC Barker's widow, Hazel, returns to the scene where he lost his life.

She told the News and Star newspaper: 'It is going to be very tough, but we have to do it. Bill never ran away from anything and so I have to attend.

'I have been to the river when I organised [charity event] 'One Night for Bill' in 2010, but it was dark then. I haven't been back in daylight hours.'

She added it gave 'huge significance' that Princess Anne was opening the bridge, as Bill had presented her with a ceremonial sword when he was a young cadet at St Bees School.

The new bridge will be blessed by Reverend Ian Grainger, before the princess then unveils a sandstone plaque and cuts a ribbon.

She will be then be the first person to travel across the new bridge, followed by cyclists and a bus carrying pupils from Northside school.

later in the day the Princess will open Penrith's new fire station and unveil a plaque to commemorate her visit.