THESE wonderful photos, again courtesy of Andy Hutchings, are something to get in a flap about.

Swans feature heavily in these pictures of the Westham Bridge area of Weymouth, taken from Edwin Seward postcards.

In the photo to the right we can see boats for hire alongside Commercial Road on a murky day before 1909.

Before the formation of Radipole Lake by the construction of Westham Bridge in 1921 it was possible to row (or be rowed) up the River Wey to Radipole.

Also prominent, Andy points out, is the original railway bridge on the Portland line, replaced in 1909.

We can also enjoy this photo of a woman heading out for an elegant row on Radipole Lake.

A swan (just out of view) passes rather close for comfort to the woman’s oar while a train waits nearby at Melcombe Regis station.

The swan herd, with Melcombe Regis station in the background, seemed to feature heavily in postcards of the Westham Bridge area.

One postcard writer commented to the recipient in London: “Just lovely weather.

“We are just going for a sea trip.”

The Westham Embankment Bridge was constructed in 1921 and subsequently reclaimed.

In the 1930s, youthful volunteer apprentices would come to feed the swans at the side of Radipole Park Drive in the 1930s.

A dredger and its stern would be used to keep the reeds down in Radipole Lake.

A local competition was run to give it a suitable name - one suggestion was the ‘dredgenaught’.

The condition of this vessel deteriorated and it was eventually scrapped.

n Weymouth Postcard Club meets regularly.

For more information on the club, please call Andy Hutchings on 01305 784332.