Garden is last port for river ferry

Part of a 30-ton ferry which used to take people across the River Severn has reached its final resting place as a water feature in a Bewdley couple's front garden.

David Griffiths managed to drag the dilapidated former Arley ferry from the river in Bewdley where it had been battered by the floods in 1998. With help from a couple of friends, Mr Griffiths was able to haul what was left of the front of the ferry onto the banks by using his 4x4.

He installed the prow of the ferry – all that remains – as a water feature in the garden of his cottage called Dun Floodin – before the flood defences were put up in the town, the house and garden regularly flooded.

Mr Griffiths said: "I remember the Arley ferry when I was younger. There was a ferry over the water from 1331 to 1964.

"In 1972 a footbridge was built over the river and the ferry was redundant. It was then moored along Severn Side North in Bewdley for years and than sank following the flood in 1998. I rescued it later that year."

As part of the Discover Bewdley event this weekend, David and wife Penny Griffiths are opening their Dog Lane front garden so people can see what is left of the ferry.

They have researched its history and put up an information board. The ferry has now also been included in the new Bewdley town trail.

Built by Bathhurst of Tewkesbury it went into service on June 24 1952. A bridge at Arley replaced the ferry on January 22 1972 and she spent her remaining years moored along the north quay at Bewdley.

Anyone with memories or photographs of the ferry should take them to the open days on Sunday and Monday.