THE procession which marked the opening of Chepstow’s historic cast iron Old Wye Bridge in 1816 is to be re-enacted 200-years-on.

This Sunday, July 24 at exactly 1pm a commemorative procession will leave the town’s Beaufort Square and make its way to the famous bridge - the longest cast-iron road bridge in the world – and links with Tidenham in the Forest of Dean.

The Chairmen of Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire County Councils will meet on the bridge and will be joined by the UK’s top engineer, Sir John Armitt, the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers who will take the part of John Urpeth Rastrick, the designer and builder of the bridge who led the opening procession.

Ned Heywood one of the organisers of the event said: “Engineers, magistrates, bands, singers, farmers, tradesmen and schoolchildren were all in the 1816 procession and they, or their equivalents will be parading 200 years on.

“The musicians will perform during a short ceremony on the bridge before a cavalcade of vintage vehicles crosses the bridge and tours around the town.

“From 2pm there will be a community fair with stalls and games in the Riverside Gardens and music from the FB Pocket Orchestra who will play 1920s jazz from the bandstand.

“A stunning firework display from the bridge will round of the evening after more music from the bandstand by Wyld Bird Seed from 9pm until dark.”