Swing Bridge engineer retires after 25-year stint

An engineer affectionately known as ‘Geordie’ to his friends is retiring after 25 years working on Newcastle’s iconic Swing Bridge.

George Fenwick joined the Port of Tyne over 40 years ago and has been the Swing Bridge’s Engineer since 1989.

The 65 year-old from Walkerville said: “The part of my job that I’m going to miss the most is showing visitors to the Swing Bridge during the annual Heritage Open Days organised by English Heritage.”

Brian Reeve, Port of Tyne’s chief technical officer, said: “Our team of engineers will continue to keep the Bridge’s brass work gleaming and all of us at the Port of Tyne wish George a long and happy retirement.”

The Swing Bridge is 138 years old and kept in working order by the Port of Tyne. One of only 14 grade two listed monuments in Tyne and Wear, the Bridge still swings open for maintenance purposes every first Wednesday of each month.

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