Description:This postcard view of ‘The Seven Arches’ viaduct over the River Penk, near Penkridge, was sent along with several other postcards in an envelope from ‘Ginge’ (name unknown) to his Mother (name and address unknown). ‘Ginge’ may have been billeted at Brocton Camp and on the reverse of the postcard he writes:
Brocton, 18 June 1918.
Dear Mother, I think I will just drop you a short note and at the same time enclose a few postcards I have bought lately. Glad to hear you are still quite well and hope Aunt Marion is all right. This little village of Penkridge in the cards is a pretty place and only seven miles from here. The seven arches I have often thought would make a fine picture and now I have got a card of it. The Church we have not had a look through yet, it was closed when I was down there last week but have had a good look around it.
Love from your affectionate Son, ‘Ginge’.
‘The Seven Arches’ viaduct was built by the Grand Junction Railway and opened in 1837. In later years the line became known as the Birmingham branch of the West Coast Main Line, with north heading to Stafford and south to Wolverhampton. The viaduct cost £6,000 and the contractor was Thomas Brassey. Each of the seven arches has a 30 foot span and is 37 feet high.
The postcard was published by the ‘Premier Series’.