Priestley's Bridge

Just mentioned Priestley's Bridge on a FB group and the thought occurred, who was Priestley? I can only think of J.B. Priestley but he doesn`t seem to have connections to the City.

J.B. died at Alveston, Warwicks, 1984. Must be an older person for sure.

Could be something to do with a Samuel Priestley who was a brickmaker and victualler who ran the Three Horse Shoes on the corner of Stoney Stanton Road and Red Lane in the mid 19th century. In 1872 he was selling garden land of 820sq yards next to the pub. I can't find when the bridge or the canal was built but perhaps he owned the land. He also owned house along there. He was originally from Yorkshire.

The foundations for "Leicester Causeway Bridge", as it was first called, were laid in March 1769. During May 1899 it was widen for the tramway.

Thank you for the bridge dates information. I looked along that way a few days ago and I could not see any markers for the construction of the bridge.

What's the story behind the plaque in the top picture?

Hi, I would say it's "folklore". Definition; the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth. Synonyms; mythology, lore, oral history, tradition, folk tradition. More a body of popular myths or beliefs relating to a particular place, activity, or group of people. Maybe other members can add to it?