Celebrations as landmark Chester bridge turns 100 years old

The Old Palace Chester team organised the centenary celebrations on April 16 in collaboration with Jan Chillery, insolvency partner at Aaron & Partners Solicitors, who is secretary of Chester Regatta and vice chair of Chester Business Club.

VIPs assemble to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Queens Park Bridge. Photo: Max Walker Williams.

The 1920s-themed event was a fantastic opportunity for the local community to come together at Old Palace Chester which sits on the banks of the River Dee, overlooking Queens Park Bridge itself.

The Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr John Leather, and Lady Mayoress Heather Leather joined over 400 guests to enjoy fine food and drink provided by the venue along with live jazz and swing music from Natty Congeroo and the Flames of Rhythm.

Original opening of the Queens Park Bridge (Photo - Cheshire Archives).

The event was also attended by Samantha Dixon, MP for Chester, the Sheriff of Chester Cllr Bob Rudd, the Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Sheila Little and the chair of Chester Business Club, Roy Shelton. The dignitaries all wore full ceremonial robes and their chains of office.

They were joined on the bridge by a be-wigged Town Clerk of Chester, Andrea Thwaite of CWaC, for a commemorative photograph that replicated the opening ceremony in 1923. Also in attendance was Adrian Carr, the great grandson of A W Carr, the former Sheriff of Chester who opened the Suspension Bridge 100 years ago.

L-R Jan Chillery, Cllr Razia Daniels, Lady Mayoress Heather Leather, The Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr John Leather (Photo - Max Walker Williams).

The Queens Park Bridge was designed by city engineer and surveyor, Charles Greenwood. The iconic landmark has been a staple of Chester architecture since it was officially opened on April 18, 1923. The bridge connects The Groves with the Queens Park area of Chester and was originally built to allow residents to avoid congestion at The Old Dee Bridge.

Old Palace Chester was built in 1751, originally constructed to be the home of the Bishop of Chester, Samuel Peploe. The building was granted permission to become a wedding venue in 2017 and since then it has been the backdrop to many unforgettable weddings and events.

Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm (Photo - Mark Glynne-Jones).

Alexander Mottram, general manager of Old Palace Chester, said: “Part of what makes our city so special is its rich history and here at Old Palace Chester, we are proud to be part of that.

"We take our role as custodians of this historical landmark seriously and we have found immense joy in carrying out restoration work on the property and rediscovering the building’s charm and heritage. It was wonderful to share this with the local community whilst celebrating another of Chester’s historical landmarks.”

Guests enjoying the celebrations at The Old Palace, Chester. Photo: Max Walker Williams.

Jan Chillery, secretary of Chester Regatta and vice chair of Chester Business Club, said: “The Queens Park Bridge centenary celebration at Old Palace Chester was a unique opportunity to bring the Chester community together.

"Chester Regatta is the oldest regatta in the world, established by 1733, and I expect the residents at Old Palace Chester will have watched the Regatta avidly many times over the centuries. Chester Business Club members were delighted to join members of the six local rowing clubs in celebrating 100 years of this iconic Bridge.

Teana Lynne and Andy Shelton of the Naughty Badger Bistro Chester. (Photo - Max Walker Williams)

"It has been very exciting to work with Old Palace Chester to bring the business and sporting community together like this.”