Electricians, concrete mixers and pourers, engineers, in fact you name any trade involved in building the iconic Orwell Bridge 41 years ago, and they came together over the weekend in a special reunion.

Organised by Charlie Sharp and Howard Morris, 25 people that worked on constructing the 1,287 metres (4,222 ft) long bridge over the River Orwell and their partners got together at the Cookhouse Restaurant in the shadow of the monolith to reminisce abut what has become a world-renowned landmark.

Organisers Howard Morris and Charlie Sharp at the Cookhouse in Wherstead (Picture: Nub News)

The duo shared an office on site back in 1979 with Howard one of three electricians on the bridge, while Charlie was in charge of all the lifting, cranes and site services.

Charlie started with Ransomes Rapier in Glasgow and travelled all over world before a promotion took him to Ipswich in 1977 where he joined the Dutch company that ran the bridge project.

Howard began his career as an electrical apprenticeship in Felixstowe and worked on many major industrial and commercial projects then worked for himself all over East Anglia.

Over the three year Orwell Bridge project they each took a lot of pictures and had a lot of stories to tell. They reunited ten years ago to put their tales into book and now show the gallery of photographs at

Suffolk Show. They have also held talks, including during a cruise on the Orwell Lady, which they done for the past two year and have more booked for this year.

Charlie told Nub News: "We were all over the jobs on the whole site, not just one area, we always had cameras with us taking pictures, and we had access to things no-one else could see."

Part of Orwell Bridge display at Cookhouse (Picture: Nub News)

Dozens of printed photographs recording the three year-project were on display as the group discussed their part in the history making construction, the challenges and little victories in making it happen.

Although both worked on big projects since the Orwell Bridge completion Howard is proudest of this one.

He added: "Nothing was big as this one. The bridge was by far the crowning glory."

Charlie said: "At one time this was called a blight of the landscape but now it is a thing of beauty."

Although this reunion was the first in 41 years, more are planned. This includes a summer event, then another one around this time, or before Christmas.

If you would like to come along to any future meetings and reunions,or have your own unique photographs and memories, get in touch with the organisors Charlie Sharp: [email protected] or Howard: [email protected]

Tale of the tape:

The main arch is 190m (623ft) long, which, at the time of its construction, was the largest of its kind in use.

It rests on 40m (131ft) of pilings into the river bottom and is 43m (141ft) tall.

The bridge is 24 metres (79 ft)