Carrying at Cassio Bridge

Picturing the Past: NarrowBoat, Winter 2019

Christopher M Jones

Chris M. Jones studies three images of trade at Cassio Bridge Wharf

Cassio Bridge Wharf stretched along the Grand Junction Canal either side of the Rickmansworth Road Bridge near Watford in Hertfordshire. It was an isolated commercial wharf shared with the Halfway House pub against Bridge 169, with the wharves surrounded at the rear by the River Gade. Two images show the wharf on the southern side of the bridge and the structures indicate the level of investment provided to encourage trade there. Brewing background One of the regular users of the wharf was mother-and-son brewers Mary Ann and Frederick James Sedgwick of 323 High Street, Watford. The Sedgwicks were an established farming family in the area with additional business interests. The brewing aspect started in 1862 when land agent, surveyor and farmer William Fellows Sedgwick leased Watford brewery, as the owner had financial problems. At the time, the Sedgwick family were based at Cassio Bridge Farm, which comprised 750 acres of land behind the wharf, but William died in 1869 aged 58 with …