OVER the summer we enjoyed a nostalgic look at a Weymouth structure we are all very familiar with - the town bridge.

We recalled how it was opened on July 4, 1930 to much fanfare by the Duke of York.

It is with much pleasure we can bring you more details of what happened that day when the £90,000 bridge was officially opened.

We shared many of the contents from the Dorset Daily Echo's report on the event, which was decribed as 'probably the most important in the history of the town in this century.'

The building of the Town Bridge was described as the biggest improvement carried out in Weymouth harbour in the last 20 years - prior to this the most important work was the extension of the stone pier.

Looking Back regular Peter Fry has managed to locate a copy of the official programme from when the bridge was opened.

The programme gives details of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the opening ceremony, details of which Looking Back is delighted to share here.

His Royal Highness the Duke of York arrived at Weymouth Railway Station at 12 noon. He was greeted by a Royal Salute from the 3rd Battle Squadron in Weymouth Bay and the first gun of the 21 gun salute was fired as the Royal Car moved from the station.

The procession then proceeded along King Street and the Esplanade.

Upon arrival at the King's Statue, the Duke inspected a Royal Guard of Honour mounted by 3rd Balle Squadron with the massed bands of 3rd battle squadron in attendance. The mayor, Councillor Percy Boyle, pictured here, presented the address to his Royal Highness.

The procession then left the King's Statue and proceeded on foot via St Thomas Street to the Town Bridge.

On arrival at the bridge at 12.22, the Mayor requested His Royal Highness to perform the opening ceremony. The Duke then went to the bridge's Control House to operate the machinery raising the bridge.

All eyes were then turned to the water, where the Messrs. Cosens & Company's Steamer Empress with schoolchildren on board passed through the bridge from west to east. Two other steamers with schoolchildren on board were moored just eastof the bridge.

The bridge was then lowered and the Duke signed a record of the passage of the first boat to pass under the bridge. The Duke then walked across the bridge and removed the chain on the south side and returned to the Control House, where he declared the bridge officially open.

Following a prayer, the Weymouth Military Band performed.

The procession then moved down to the Gloucester Hotel, via St Thomas Street and the Esplanade. At the Gloucester Hotel the Duke presented Standards to various local branches of the British Legion.

At 1.15pm it was time for lunch. After a one hour and 15 minute lunch break HRH was then taken to the torpedo factory at Whitehead Torpedo COmpany Limited. And after a visit lasting 55 minutes, the Duke was programmed to leave Weymouth Station with a Guard of Honour in place on the platform. A Royal salute was fired by 3rd Battle Squadron as the Royal train departed.

Apart from the day itself, a whole programme of celebrations were arranged to coincide with the bridge opening.

These included a cricket match at Lodmoor (3rd Battle Squadron vs Weymouth), a reception in HMS Emperor of India for local dignitaries, a special lunch for the Mayor, the aldermen and the town clerk and a dinner and a concert for representatives of Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA - who contributed a graven slab of granite to the bridge, which can still be seen today.

There was also an afternoon of naval and military sports, a searchlight display, a special church service at Holy Trinity Church and the opening of HMS Empress of India and HMS Marlborough to visitors.

Thanks very much to Peter Fry for sharing this slice of history with us.