Poet-in-residence
Cecilia Knapp was our first ever poet-in-residence, celebrating our five iconic bridges, our deep history, our role as a major funder, and the work of the many organisations we support
London then and now
A poem inspired by an old photograph. Over 150 years ago, on Monday, 9 July 1894, a photographer captured this eager crowd of men & boys waiting for the public opening of Tower Bridge.
London then and now
Cecilia Knapp, City Bridge Foundation’s poet-in-residence, has taken inspiration from this historic photograph for her poem, London then and now, which you can read below.
The photograph is part of a treasure trove of never-before-seen photographs showing the construction and opening of Tower Bridge, discovered in a family attic, alongside related letters and press cuttings. You can find out more on the Tower Bridge website.
Tower Bridge is one of the five bridges owned and maintained by City Bridge Foundation. The others are London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, the Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.
With thanks to The Poetry Society, with whom we’ve partnered for this project.
Read Cecilia’s poem
London then and now
London, 1894
men gather tightly
on the new bridge
the women out
of sight, tucked
somewhere else
ironing their
private desires
outside, the day
is very fine
cloudless sky
rendered soft
like it’s been daubed
by a sponge
the men’s faces
are unpoised
as though
they turned
to respond
to a noise
and were
caught mid–
expression
this is how
they live forever
still life with
bowler hats
then the schoolboys
motionless
but still somehow
self-conscious
each life
swells inside
like the river’s tide
some shield their eyes
as though blinded
by the coming light
of a new decade
in which
the air is clean
the houses
built for all
and built to last
each red brick
a promise
bellies are full
mornings are easy
days are fair
overripe, glowing
like a steamed up
kitchen window
and each child
beneath their
soft cloth cap
can grow
into their truest self
their own lovely
can watch
their mother choose
her life
can welcome
the new faces
to this city–
watch it bloom.
What would you
tell them now,
those long gone
sepia boys? This
photograph?
Would you tell them
that we made it,
or that we still have
work to do?
The anniversary photo
One hundred and fifty years after the unique photograph was taken at the opening of Tower Bridge, we celebrating the anniversary with our own photograph, taken on Tuesday, 9 July 2024.
We wanted to reflect the area as it is today, with the people who live and work there, including local schoolchildren. Representatives from some of the amazing funded organisations we support also attended, adding to the fun, as we took a very quick picture before reopening the road to traffic.
Want more poetry in unexpected places?
Follow us on Instagram for new poems, behind-the-scenes with Cecilia, and updates from across our bridges and communities.
Our bridges
Our five bridges are symbols of London’s history and beacons for its future. Learn more about Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge