The river crossing at Oldgate seems to have been problematic for over a century. There have been at least four successive bridges on the site.

The chain footbridge erected in 1826 collapsed in 1830 when ‘idle fellows’ jumped up and down, causing the cables to break. Today the river is crossed by a concrete and stone bridge built in 1970.

Pupils at St Robert’s remember the history of the collapsing bridge by jumping up and down. Maurice asks if they have seen an elephant passing by.