SCOTLAND’S iconic Forth Bridge, which made international headlines recently when it became a World Heritage Site, has been celebrated in Frome due to its important historical connection.
Completed in 1890, the Forth Bridge was designed by Frome-born engineer Sir Benjamin Baker and is the most famous construction of his distinguished career, which included the Aswan Dam and the transportation of Cleopatra’s Needle from Alexandria to London.
The Forth bridge was the world’s first steel bridge and remains the longest multi-span cantilever bridge. Sir Benjamin Baker was not only a brilliant engineer but also a champion of public engagement, touring the world giving accessible talks to inspire the general public with great feats of engineering.
In 2009 Frome celebrated the life of Sir Benjamin Baker with exhibitions at Rook Lane Chapel and Frome Museum accompanied by a series of talks, events and school projects. His legacy lives on through children and teachers inspired by his great works.
Frome Museum will also be exhibiting some of the images from the successful and popular ‘Benjamin Baker – Bridging the World’ exhibition in February 2016.
UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) approved the inscription of the Forth Bridge as a World Heritage site on Sunday 5th July.
The structure was cited as an ‘important milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long distance land travel.’
