The Department of Useless Information has issued the following press release..... "Tomorrow, Sunday June 24 2012, marks the 31st birthday of the opening to traffic of the Humber Bridge. A formal opening ceremony by the Queen followed on 17 July. From 1981 until 1998 it was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world but now only ranks in fifth place, having been overtaken by others in Japan, China and Denmark. "The bridge's construction and opening ended the ferry service across the Humber between Hull and Lincolnshire which had operated in various forms and routes since 1315. "Agitation for a formal link between Yorkshire and Lincolnshore had existed for over a century, with a tunnel being proposed in 1872. The Humber Estuary was regarded as a major obstacle to trade and development between the two banks of the river but it wasn't until 1959 that the Humber Bridge Act was finally passed, though construction work didn't begin until 1972." Those who remember that marvellous Yorkshire Television series "The Beiderbeck Affair", starring James Bolam and Barbara Flynn, may recall that the Humber Bridge "starred" in the third and final series, "The Beiderbecke Connection", when the couple arrive at the bridge attempting to smuggle a refugee across the border into Lincolnshire (yes, it was THAT sort of daft story but wonderful entertainment to this viewer and I watch it endlessly on DVD). Unfortunately, James Bolam didn't have the necessary £1.50 to pay the toll, so they had to turn back and left their "refugee" to walk across the bridge. I'm sorry to confess that I've only ever crossed it once and never on foot, but let's wish the Humber Bridge a very happy birthday! Anyone who wants to learn some "fascinating and absorbing" (!) facts about the bridge will find a full history and lots of other information at the bridge's official website: http://www.humberbridge.co.uk -- Roy Stockdill Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE