THE bridge was completed in 1856 on the very same site as the town's old eight-arch medieval bridge.

Half way over there is set in the masonry of the northern parapets a plaque perpetuating the memory of Henry Workman, mayor of Evesham 1851-55, a man who did so much for Evesham and whose efforts brought about the building of this fine bridge.

The inscription on the plaque reads: "To the Public Spirit and Perseverance of Henry Workman Esq." The bridge was erected in the fourth and fifth years of his mayoralty and was opened to the public on March 12, 1856.

"Before construction began on the bridge," Mr Barnard said, "the river was dredged, the osier beds removed and plans were forwarded to straighten the east riverside bank and landscape the Waterside Gardens as we know them today. The debris and masonry from the old medieval bridge was used for the foundations of these gardens which today are beautifully laid out with the lovely avenue of trees, flower beds and lawns."

The old bridge had a chequered history. Mr Barnard said back in the 1640s King Charles I made several visits to Evesham during which time the medieval bridge was constantly destroyed in parts, only to be rebuilt then knocked down again. In the June of 1644, Charles, after a short stay in Evesham, left the town with his troops via the old bridge.

"Once on the Bengeworth side, his troops proceeded to destroy the upper structure of the bridge to prevent the Parliamentary forces from entering Evesham during the King's absence," said Mr Barnard. "On returning at the beginning of July, the King found that the townsfolk had repaired the bridge allowing the Parliamentary commander Sir William Waller to slip in to sum up the mood of the inhabitants and survey the lie of the land."

The King immediately fined the town £200 and ordered the flourishing boot-making industry in the town to provide his troops with 1,000 pairs of boots.

Mr Barnard said: "Having married into another Evesham boot-making family, A H Wheatley shoe shops some 350 years later, my thoughts on this were didn't they do well - that's providing they got paid."

The old bridge masonry still lurks below the Workman Gardens, a precious part of old Evesham that witnesses King Charles' longer stay in the town from July 4 to 13 1644. He stayed in a house on the north side of Bridge Street which belonged to the Langston family but occupied by Alderman Martin at the time. Mr Barnard's sketch was drawn from the upper storey of the house which can still be seen today.

"The King must have gazed from these windows on to our magnificent Lichfield Bell Tower," Mr Barnard said. "Could it be that another King Charles may make a visit to our town in the years to come. I hope so."