Last updated at 12:07, Thursday, 11 September 2008

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MORE than 2,000 people turned up to wish Walney’s Jubilee Bridge a happy 100th birthday on Sunday.

A centenary plaque, designed by Phil Cousins, was blessed by members of the clergy and will be attached to the bridge over the next week, to commemorate the anniversary.

Event organiser, councillor John Murphy, explained that the Friends of Walney group had been delighted that the pensioners had agreed to help with the celebrations. He said: “It’s wonderful they’ve come to help to wish the bridge a happy birthday, and of course we had to have a birthday cake.”

Miss Latham, who will turn 100 on Thursday, said she felt incredibly proud to be taking part in the celebrations.

She said: “I think this is wonderful, I never thought there would be so many people and so many things going on here.”

Vickerstown Park hosted a number of attractions, including live bands, stalls, rides and face painting.

Walney’s Carnival Queen, 12-year-old Sapphire Walkden, joined the parade walking across Jubilee Bridge. She said: “Today is really important to the people of Walney and I’m so proud to be serving the community.”

Cllr Murphy, who has lived on Walney all his life, came up with the idea to celebrate the centenary three years ago at a Friends of Walney meeting.

He said: “For 100 years this bridge has been serving the people of Barrow and Walney, and we knew it had to be celebrated in a memorable way.”

Sunday’s events were finished with a stunning display of fireworks.

First published at 11:23, Monday, 28 July 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk