Jackfield - West
We start our tour of Jackfield at the end of Waterloo Street on the New Bridge.
The New Bridge [20]
 The next important bridge across the Severn is the modern silver Jackfield "New" Bridge.
The original bridge was known as either the Free Bridge or Haynes Memorial Bridge and was the first toll-free crossing bridge of the Gorge which was funded by the public and erected on land donated to the project. There is an old section of the original structure remaining on the Jackfield side (by the red phone box) with a plaque.
It was built in 1909 and was unique because it was one of the first very early reinforced concrete bridges to have ever been made. It came into disrepair in 1937 due to the force of the river’s erosion. They tried to reinforce it by spraying on concrete, however this was unsuccessful and the controversial decision was made to build a new bridge with a 30 foot steel tower and cable supports.
It was opened in 1994 and like the power station upstream, many still wonder if it fits in the Gorge?
The Jackfield area was a very busy port in its day with Severn trows transporting goods up and down the river. The rail lines ran through Jackfield from Bridgnorth. However there was an earlier wooden railway system built in 1605 by James Clifford that transported coal to the river from Broseley. This railway has the distinction of being Shropshire’s first railway and in fact the second in the U.K..
There were two Victorian tile factories with kilns as well as coke, tar and brick kilns and an iron works at The Calcutts. Pottery was manufactured here from the early 1600's. There were numerous pubs and brothels to cater for the constant traffic of river workers needing entertainment after long days of hauling the trows.
 The Black Swan Inn predates the Iron Bridge, being built in 1750 and operated as a hostelry since 1787 for wayfarers, coach men and river men. Today it still operates as a pub, one of only two public houses in Jackfield.
The Severn Trow, believed to be over 400 years old, was both a pub and brothel and was once called the Boatman’s Brothel. When the present owner purchased the building there were still cubicles upstairs for the ladies of the night. It now serves the public as a B&B, though of course without the original "extras"!.
Jackfield nowadays is an interesting area with little houses and cottages scattered around the hillside. The ground on this side of the river is of different consistency than of the Ironbridge side. It is of sand & clay so land slippage is a constant reminder that life is fragile and nature will reclaim it whenever she wants.
For example you will notice the wooden reinforced road in front of the Tile Museum which was placed there due to severe land slippage in recent years and is still subject to continuous movement.
 After passing the Black Swan you will come to the Jackfield Sidings which is also the only remaining rail crossing with gates on this line. The width of the gates is 38 feet which is considered unique in the U.K. they spanned the S.V.R. and in 1999 Wrekin Council saw it right to restore them and the sidings and incorporate them into the Severn Valley Way Footpath system.
The residents worked hard making it a feature for the area, you can follow the footpath towards the free bridge and past the old Wesleyan Chapel of 1825. The chapel was last used in the late 1960's and only had 2 weddings ever in it, both in the 1960's.
The chapel’s original interior is now part of Blists Hill Victorian Museum, but the building itself it is still in use by the Elcock Reisen Brass Band. The band has been in constant operation since its establishment in 1893, through both wars to the present day. The 30 or so members help keep a sense of cohesiveness in this small rural community.They practice at the chapel Tues/Fri. 7:30-9:30 p.m. which is open to anyone interested in listening.
For information on the band see www.jackfieldband.org.uk or contact the chairman Paul France 01952 432432. The chapel is also used for other community activities and has old photographs of the area.
After passing over the sidings, follow the signs for the Tile Museum and you will see quite a large B&B on the right, The Calcutts, which is another of the older buildings in the area, dating from approximately 1695.
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