Published Friday 17 December 2021 at 16:19
We know how much our residents love football and their home team, and we’re proud of our borough’s newest focal point – Wainwright Bridge adorned in the club’s famous blue and white colours.
An exciting first look of Blackburn’s Wainwright Bridge with its new Rovers-themed makeover was unveiled a few months ago.
Now we can see the makeover in a fantastic time lapse film:
https://vimeo.com/insideoutgrp/review/656982414/495ffb947b
As part of planned routine maintenance, Blackburn with Darwen Council re-painted the bridge in Rovers’ famous blue and white halves.
The Council gave locals a fresh perspective of the landmark by playing homage to the iconic Ewood Park club.
The Council is passionate about the town’s football heritage naming a road after Rovers star Alan Shearer, and recently creating a new road crossing at Cravens Brow in Rovers colours. The Fernhurst estate also carries the names of former Rovers legends: Kendall Close, Parkes Way, Douglas Close, Dalglish Drive and is accessed via Jack Walker Way.
Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:
When I realised that it was the Council’s turn to paint the Wainwright Bridge, and I was asked about a colour scheme, as a lifelong Rovers supporter there was only one answer. The bridge is a notable landmark and it’s great to see it painted in the famous blue and white halves. We all need something to lift our spirits after a difficult year. Hopefully this will help to cheer everyone up a bit.
Blackburn Rovers CEO, Steve Waggott, said:
It is a fantastic gesture by the Council and we love that one of the town’s most prominent landmarks is now lit up in Rovers’ blue-and-white halves. We know how proud the people of Blackburn are of their historic football club and hopefully this will bring some joy to our supporters after a difficult year.
The football club was a part of the bridge makeover plans, providing the correct paint codes for the club’s colours and choosing a lucky young fan to attend the big reveal.
Aleczander from Avondale Primary School wrote a poem inspired by the Rover’s Pride of Blackburn contest:
Blackburn with Darwen,
The place I call home,
Blackburn with Darwen,
The place I was born,
As we take a stroll up to Darwen Hill,
From high above we can see India Mill.
The Blackburn history is so very neat,
With the clock tower standing proud on King William Street.
The Blackburn champions of 95,
A beacon of light that set the town alive.
From Shearer and Hendry to super King Kenny,
The legend Jack Walker spent many a penny.
The people that walk up to the tower,
Always remember Queen Victoria’s power.
From primary schools to high schools and collages too,
Blackburn is the place for you.
With areas of beauty and the green in Witton Park,
The people and the birds sing their lark.
Living and loving in this place I call home forever,
With all of our communities uniting together.
The diamond jubilee at the tower,
Always reminding us of or spirit and power.
Thinking about this amazing place,
And all the people that live here being so ace.
See a video of Aleczander reading his poem at the bridge here:
A plaque featuring the poem will be installed on the bridge early in 2022.