Sydney James Bridge, 1858–1940
Benefactor
Sydney Bridge developed a successful painting and decorating business in Leominster and used the profits to purchase property. It was said that at one time he was the largest property owner in the town. In his latter years he gave considerable sums to charity, supporting the Cottage Hospital and financing the purchase of the playing grounds named ‘Sydonia’ in his honour. He was made a Freeman of the town in recognition of his generosity.
It was said that no one who ever met Sidney Bridge would forget him. He was the sort of man around whom legends gather.
Sidney James Bridge was born in High Halden, Kent in 1858. His family soon moved to nearby Tenterden – where his father set up in business in the High Street as a plumber and decorator. At the age of 13 Sydney was working as an apprentice with his father, and continued to work there into his 20s.
Eventually he left his fathers firm and spent two years as a travelling glazier and odd job man before settling in Leominster and using his savings to buy a business. He spent every hour he could at his trade and soon became established as a successful sign writer and house decorator. As the business flourished he moved to Foxton House in Broad Street and employed two of his brothers as decorators.
Through hard work and careful management of finances Sydney accumulated some wealth, and started buying properties in the town. These were often run down, and Sydney would have his workmen renovate them before renting them out. In time he owned nearly every house in New Street, and a substantial part of Bridge Street, and for a time owned the Forbury Chapel in Church Street.
Sydney was a life-long Methodist, and was a memorable preacher. His first appointment on the preaching plan was on April 10th 1892 when he preached at Yarpole. From then onwards he scarcely missed a Sunday for the next 45 years.
But it is as a benefactor he is chiefly remembered. As well as several small gifts to various local causes he was a generous benefactor of the Cottage Hospital, and gave the Council £2000 to cover the cost of the new playing fields which were called ‘Sydonia’ in his honour. In appreciation of his generosity Sidney was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in 1936.
Sydney married Jemima Coper in 1887. Unfortunately, the marriage did not turn out to be a happy one, and although they did not divorce in the latter years they lived separate lives.
Sidney Bridge continued to work up to the time of his death at the age of 82 in 1940. A friend asked him to paper a room, and Sydney insisted on doing the work himself. He fell from a ladder and broke a femur. The shock of this fall, the fact that he was diabetic, and his age, combined to terminate the life of this remarkable man. He died in the hospital he had so generously endowed.
