The pavilion at the end of this lovely Edwardian pier is well alight this morning, lots of graphic pictures on Sky News and on the Internet.
My God, I’ve just looked at the live pictures on Sky, it’s all gone, what a bloody waste, right in the money making holiday season too.
Seaside piers are such a tradition, it’s sad to see them get destroyed in this way, I gather that this particular pavillion had been recently refurbished too.
Brighton was probably a no-hoper when it burnt down a few years ago and Southend had never fully recovered from it’s original fire when it went up again.
There is hope, Southsea burnt down during the making of ‘Tommy’ nearly 40 years ago, whether the film company coughed up for that is another matter, but it was rebuilt.
Cromer had it’s centre section taken out by a loose barge a few years ago and that was rebuilt, mind you it had to be because of the lifeboat station.
Southwold is the best story, destroyed and truncated during the War, it has been completely rebuilt and is a fabulous addition to a lovely resort.
Whatever caused the fire is not being speculated apon yet, but whether it was arson or not, it’s gone and thats it.
By: Pete Truman - 30th July 2008 at 14:29
Lovely pics PMN, sums up the Britishness of these important symbols of our heritage.
I gather that the 1904 pavilion burnt down in the 30’s anyway, it’s not original, though whether it’s Arts and Crafts or Art Deco, it’s still a great loss.
By: PMN - 30th July 2008 at 10:55
This is very sad news indeed. We played Weston-Super-Mare on our UK tour earlier in the year, so I had the opportunity to shoot and visit this pier. I have to say, it felt exactly like the real English seaside as I remember it when I was a kid 20 years ago. The general atmosphere was calm and relaxed, and I’ve always thought there’s a certain tranquility to being at the end of a pier surrounded by the sea. It’s such a shame to see that wonderful piece of British heritage destroyed in such a violent and unforgiving way. 😡
RIP, old pier. 🙁
Paul
By: Bristol_Rob - 29th July 2008 at 15:03
weston-super-mare pier fire from above
These photos were not taken by but was released to me by GWR-FM (bristol)
Pictures taken by a passenger in a aircraft flying near the grand inferno
Such a sad shame
Rob
🙁
By: Arabella-Cox - 28th July 2008 at 21:40
I need to check my notes…but pretty sure there is an aviation/Battle of Britain connection with the pier. If my memory serves me well, Sgt L N Guy who was lost in the Battle of Britain with 601 Squadron had a link with the pier as he worked there as a lad, his father being General Manager of the pier.
By: Bristol_Rob - 28th July 2008 at 20:51
took these pictures on my way to brean for the day
such a sad shame …. i was brought up on that peir visited it every weekend
🙁
Rob
🙁
By: wcfcfan - 28th July 2008 at 20:11
Such a shame.
Our second away game of the season is at Weston on 23/8, I was looking forward to seeing the pier!
By: Peter - 28th July 2008 at 17:33
Sad news
Thanks to Newforest for the link to this thread. Sad to see such a historic building go up in flames!
By: Pete Truman - 28th July 2008 at 10:07
Thanks for the potted history of seaside cultural Pete, sad that it has to be connected to a tragedy.:(
I have a thing about piers, they are so much part of the British tradition, more so than we actually think.
Every time our landlocked Hungarian relatives come over, I take them to Cromer pier, it’s something they love and really appreciate, crabbing off Cromer pier is one of lifes great experiences, long may it continue.
By: wilhelm - 28th July 2008 at 09:23
What a pity. I have fond memories of that pier from about 10 years back when the wife and I were courting and we lived relatively close by in North Somerset. It was always a lovely drive out to Clevedon or Weston Super Mare for a walk along the beachfront….
I hope they rebuild it…
By: Newforest - 28th July 2008 at 09:05
Thanks for the potted history of seaside culture Pete, sad that it has to be connected to a tragedy.:(
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July 28, 2008 at 8:53 am