The naming of the Canary Bridge

20/08/2020

By 2020 Tricia Thomas

After an SD cuppa with Madam Mayor of Hereford, Kath Hey, it was off to Outfall Works Road for the naming of the Canary Bridge by our Lord Lieutenant, Dowager Countess of Darnley.
This is a greenway bridge, which spans the Wye and is widely used by walkers and cyclists.
Nicola Goodwin and the Rotherwas Royal Ordnance Factory Project have worked hard to get the bridge named after the Canary Girls, women who worked at Rotherwas during the war. Their work involved cleaning and loading bombs and shells and was highly dangerous. The TNT resulted in their hair and skin turning yellow, hence the name Canary Girls. The history of Rotherwas ROF is well worth a read, and shows just how important it is that these women are recognised for their vital war work.