Built

Lower Town  bridge was constructed in 1870 to replace a much older one.  It's been in service  ever since, often  to the surprise of 21stC. drivers, being barely two vehicles wide despite carrying an A road over the Afon Gwaun.

The old album of local photos that I blipped about recently includes a picture of the men who built this bridge. Rather touchingly, the photographer must have invited them to his studio (there's a slightly wonky classical picture in the background) and sat them down in their working gear - although cutting off their boots (as it were).

They were tough guys - but those hats! To be sure they would have needed head covering to protect their hair from dust and grit (no daily showers in 1870) but were they serious or did they don them as a joke? Who knows. 

I like their serious if slightly puzzled expressions. They would probably have needed to hold still for several minutes.
My favourite is the guy second from the left in the front row. Judging by his look of barely suppressed amusement he's going to be making a few jokes about this in the pub later.