Didier is the great grandson of the man who built the Transporter Bridge, Ferdinand Ardonin. We recently had a chance to ask him some questions about the bridge, his family and his thoughts on the Newport Bridge.
The Transporter Bridge has become Newport's most famous landmark. How does it feel to know your grandfather was personally involved in building such a celebrated bridge?
I am very proud of everything achieved by my great grandfather Ferdinand Arnodin, my grandfather Gaston Leinekugel Le Cocq and my father Xavier Leinekugel Le Cocq. I took control of Ets Arnodin (family engineering business) and am therefore the fourth in line to carry out the family's work.
Transporter
Bridges are some of the most well known and most renowned engineering feats
because at the time they very original and audacious pieces of work. The
only remaining Transporter Bridge in France, the Martrou Bridge in Rochefort
in the West of France, is classed as a historic monument. I am delighted
that Newport’s bridge has become the most well known landmark in Newport
and I hope that it will equally be classified as historical moment (could
perhaps mean World Heritage site?)
What comes to mind when you think about Newport Transporter Bridge?
The Newport Transporter Bridge was the seventh such bridge constructed in the World and the third such bridge built outside France . What makes it different from the others is that its winding machinery was put between the supporting pylons and that it is also suspended above ground level.
Why did you want to
become an engineer? Did your
grandfather's achievements influence or inspire you in any way?
I was brought up in love with bridges and I always wanted to continue with the work of my family. I am now the only archivist and genealogist in the family.
Could you explain your
current job, company and
responsibilities?
The Arnodin Company (started by Ferdinand Arnodin) has always specialised in suspension bridges and has contributed much to perfecting their design. It was after the construction of Transporter Bridges that Arnodin constructed a new type of suspension bridge, the Gisclard Brdige, of which numerous types were built across the world. The Cassagne Bridge in the Pyrenees was the first such suspension bridge built for railway traffic. The Arnodin company went on to build suspension bridges in Tibet, China, Argentina, Venezuela, Siam, Syria, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Madagascar, Guinée, Sénégal, Spain, the Island of Réunion, Romania, Upper Volta, New Caledonia and more.
In the WWII the company constructed lots of bridges to help troops advance after D-Day. We also constructed the first bridge made in Corten Steel – steel that doesn’t rust. We also constructed the first suspension bridge in the world made entirely of aluminium and have since become specialists in the construction of aluminium for bridges and viaducts.
Finally, how old are you and do you have any children?
I am 64 and married with 3 children: one daughter a doctor, one son a geography teacher and another son an aerospace engineer.
Didier also adds that he has an archive of information on all the Transporter Bridges in the world. His archive includes over 1,200 original postcards from the time of the bridge's respective openings. He unfortunately has very few from Newport and would be very interested in buying any. He’s particularly keen on original postcards with writing and stamps from the period on them.
Please email the webmaster if you can help Didier find some original postcards
Links in this section include:
Click the following summary for more ...
04 Sept 2006
From the semi-natural ancient woodlands of Coed Wen and Plas Machen to the meadows at Llanmartin and the wet pastures and reen systems of the Levels, Newport has a wealth of habitats and wildlife. You can find out more by meetingNewport's Countryside Team at Crow Point Festival.
One thing you shouldn't miss if you come to the festival by bike is the Newport Wetlands Reserve. The Reserve was created as compensation for the loss of habitat caused by the building of the barrage in Cardiff Bay. Reedbeds, lowland wet grassland, saline lagoons, and saltmarsh have been created over 438.6 ha between Uskmouth and Goldcliff.
04 Sept 2006
After a hearing on Monday 4th September Crow Point Festival has a full licence for the 16th and 17th September. Crow Point is the first large scale event of its sort to get a licence in Newport since the new licensing act was introduced.
The festival organisers are delighted to have received this piece of good news. We would like to remind the public that no cars are allowed on site and that last entrance on both days will be at 7.30pm. For more information on opening times and admission requirements please click here. Enjoy the free festival!!
18 Sept 2006
Over the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September close to 14,000 attended the free attractions in Coronation Park. After a delayed start we saw 5,300 on Saturday and a further 8,500 on Sunday. More information will appear on the website over the next weekend. In the meantime Crow Point organisers would like to thank our team of workers, our sponsors and supporters, our traders and the public of Newport for making this such a great event.
04 Sept 2006
On Saturday 16th September the festival programme includes a late-season produce show. This the first horticultural and produce show in the centre of Newport for many years.
The produce show marks and supports the renewed interest in gardening and healthy eating in the City. The schedule of competition classes, which are aimed at both novice and expert growers, is now available to download by clicking here . For further information contact Sara Walsh on 01633 665989 (evenings) or at saras.garden@ntlworld.com .
31st July 2006
Crow Point will be one of the fundraising events to support Mayor Miqdad Al-Nuaimi's two chosen charities: Growing Space and the Campaign to Restore St Woolos Cathedral.
Crow Point will help these two causes by giving them the excluive rights to collect money at the festival. Please click here for more.
