Thread by @JulieNicholas_

My mum's grandfather Ernest Waggett moved to Newport from Somerset to help build the transporter bridge, the largest of the remaining transporter bridges in the world. Ernest stayed on after it opened in 1906, as one of the maintenance men. 15yrs later he fell ill on the... 1/5

... girder at the top, & dragged himself down the 277 steps, but was pronounced dead at the Royal Gwent Hospital that day - dying of appendicitis aged 46. Workers at the Corporation (Newport Council today) held a collection for his widow Ellen & her 10 kids...2/5

Ellen used the money to buy a house for her & the kids, the youngest was my Bampi Albert; the collection saved them from the poorhouse. 3 weeks ago @NewportCouncil arranged for my nephew's, visiting from Dublin, to go up the Bridge, just a few days before its handover to... 3/5

to @JohnPerkinsCon for its national lottery £ makeover. It was a rainy, windy & 'exciting' day to follow in your great, great grandfather's footsteps over the Transporter Bridge. Thank you @emma_newrick for making it happen! Hopefully the boys will always remember their...4/5

1st walk over the #NewportTransporterBridge & we will be back after the new visitor centre opens for a second viewing from the top & a first ride on the gondola, preferably on a sunnier day like this one.
#local history
#newport
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(And my brother was there too!)

Not that I'm obsessed but i just had a coffee at the new Mecure Hotel in Newport & they have my great grandfather's photo on the wall!