Birthday congratulations today to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Bridge celebrates 50 years on Sunday 31st May and, as you would expect for a lady of her age, has undergone a couple of facelifts during her time, while still retaining her status as both a practical link across the Waitemata Harbour and as an icon for Auckland City since 1959.
As part of the celebrations for the Bridge's 50th anniversary, two books have been produced. The first Auckland Harbour Bridge: 50 years of a city icon (Renee Lang) traces the history of the bridge from an idea, through the planning and construction stages, and through other events such as the clip ons, the Auckland Marathon and the toll booths. The book uses words and pictures to relay details and is suitable for both adult and children.
The second book is a reissue of the children's picture book Guardian of the Bridge (Diana Harris) which relays the tale of a Taniwha who sleeps in the Waitemata Harbour.
I am old enough to remember the toll booths but not what life was like before the Bridge. There are whole generations who have knowledge of neither. Both these books will make interesting talking points for families.
No comments:
Post a Comment