Telford bridge renamed 'Cinderloo' after historic uprising

Tomorrow, February 2, marks the 200th anniversary of the battle of Cinderloo – an uprising which saw about 3,000 men and women travel from all corners of what is now Telford in protest of a cut in wages at nearby collieries.

Telford & Wrekin Council have now agreed to rename a bridge which crosses the railway line at Central Park the Cinderloo bridge to commemorate the events.

The move follows a campaign by the Cinderloo 1821 group, who have been campaigning to commemorate the events for years.

Protestors gathered at the cinder hills of Old Park, which is now the Forge retail park, where the march culminated in a pitched battle with the Shropshire Yeomanry. Two men were shot dead with many injured. One man, Tom Palin, was hanged that April for the charge of ‘felonious riot’.

The old bridge is owned by Network Rail and sited close to where Tom Palin lived, in a small community called Hollinswood – now covered by the M54. The path that the bridge follows was at the heart of the coal and iron industry between Dawley and Oakengates and was a significant route that workers took over many hundreds of years up until the 1970s.

It is now part of the local cycle network and located on the Silkin Way joining north and south Telford.

Cinderloo 1821 plan to work with the council over the next 12 months to create a local landmark and make the bridge a memorial to the lost communities of Telford and the men and woman who fought for social justice 200 years ago.

As there are no plans to alter the structure of the bridge, Network Rail said they have no objection to the renaming.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for visitor economy, historic & natural environment and climate change, said: “We are really pleased to find a way of marking these events 200 years ago, the battle of Cinderloo is part of the area’s history.

"It reminds us of the harsh times faced by our ancestors and the industries that helped build the communities that now make up Telford. It will also create a milestone for our growing number of cycle and footpaths which is a key priority for us."

Pete Jackson, spokesman for Cinderloo 1821, said: "The Cinderloo story has largely been hidden for the last 200 years but it gives an insight into the conditions and lives that people faced and the strength of communities built around the industries in the area.

"We are pleased to be working with the council on this project and creating what we think will be a small tribute to people who have fought over the last 200 years for social justice and to make the town what it is today."

Learn more about the project and how the anniversary is being marked this year at cinderloo.com.