Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
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A thread full of West Pier memories....
- Thread starter Northstander
- Start date
perth seagull
Well-known member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 5,487
Wow, it sure has changed a lot over time.
the full harris
New member
- Feb 14, 2004
- 3,212
i am 21 years old, the west pier has never meant anything to me. sorry.
Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
- 14,036
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- #4
I think that is generally the case for the younger people, but growing up in the 70's I remember it as a truky beautil buiding and just left to rust away!!!
the full harris said:
I disagree, even though I have never seen the West Pier in its full glory it still had an eerie and elegant charm 2 years or so ago before its demise due to weather/fire.
I think even the way the old lady has fallen over the last few years has been quite sad
Strike
Sussex Border Front
Growing up, even though I am 18. I have found it sad going down to Brighton constantly in the last 10 years to see the once great West Pier just rot. I have never seen it in full glory (although I have seen pictures of it in its glory days).
But it always has had charm to me. The only member of my family that ever went on it was my dad, when he was about my age. He said it felt ancient, but like a luxuary pier compared to the cheap Palace Pier. I will be sad if the West Pier goes and leaves Brighton as a single pier City.
But it always has had charm to me. The only member of my family that ever went on it was my dad, when he was about my age. He said it felt ancient, but like a luxuary pier compared to the cheap Palace Pier. I will be sad if the West Pier goes and leaves Brighton as a single pier City.
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Lord Bracknell
On fire
The West Pier was always the classier of the two piers in Brighton. A place to go for strawberries and cream in the summer. I remember taking my folks there for that very treat the day they all descended on Brighton for my Sussex University graduation ceremony.
It looked particularly good in the late sixties / early seventies after the sprucing up that was done for the filming of Oh What A Lovely War.
Never let anyone get away with peddling the myth that it fell down because it was simply unused and neglected. It fell down because of the damage caused when it was hit by a barge that broke loose during rough weather, whilst repairs were being done. Only then were the owners allowed to get away with neglecting it.
It now stands (or leans) as a monument to the futility of the concept of Public/Private "Partnerships" - a symbol of our age, clearly visible to the many politicians who pour into the seafront hotels for party conferences that annually serve up new versions of this myth to the party faithful.
LOOK OUT OF THE F****** WINDOW YOU GOONS!
It looked particularly good in the late sixties / early seventies after the sprucing up that was done for the filming of Oh What A Lovely War.
Never let anyone get away with peddling the myth that it fell down because it was simply unused and neglected. It fell down because of the damage caused when it was hit by a barge that broke loose during rough weather, whilst repairs were being done. Only then were the owners allowed to get away with neglecting it.
It now stands (or leans) as a monument to the futility of the concept of Public/Private "Partnerships" - a symbol of our age, clearly visible to the many politicians who pour into the seafront hotels for party conferences that annually serve up new versions of this myth to the party faithful.
LOOK OUT OF THE F****** WINDOW YOU GOONS!
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Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
- 14,036
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- #9
Going on this, it was towards the end going towards "Palace Pier stylee"....
The Pier was designed and engineered by Eugenius Birch to attract visitors and survive in the hostile environment of the seashore. Built in 1866, it was a simple and functional structure built out from the sea using dozens of cast iron threaded columns screwed into the seabed and strengthened by a lattice of ties and girders that provide the necessary strength to support the promenade deck whilst allowing seas to pass harmlessly through.
Originally the West Pier had an open deck with only six small ornamental houses of oriental design, two toll houses and glass screens at the pier head to protect visitors from the wind and sun. In 1875 a central bandstand was added. In the 1880's weather screens the full length of the pier, steamer landing stages and a large pier head pavilion were constructed.
The final building, completed in 1916, was a graceful concert hall. The result is seaside architecture at its finest, designed to attract and entertain holiday makers with all the pomp and frippery that is the essence of the English seaside resort. The pier is unique in being largely unaltered since that time, its proportions and style are unrivaled and its concert hall and theatre are two of the best surviving Victorian and Edwardian seaside entertainment buildings.
People and the Pier
The West Pier story closely follows the changing fortunes of the English seaside holiday. It began simply as a promenade pier where visitors could enjoy the thrill of walking on water without the hazards of getting wet or being seasick. It was place for the Victorian middle classes to socialise and exhibit their wealth, to see and be seen, to take in the sea air and admire the panoramic views of the land.
By the First World War it had evolved into a pleasure pier with a great variety of seaside entertainment both indoors and out. Throughout the twenties it was immensely popular with attractions ranging from paddle steamer excursions, daring high divers and bathing from the pier head to military bands, recitals by the pier's resident orchestra in the concert hall and an all-year-round programme of plays, pantomimes and ballets in the theatre.
When the pier reopened after the Second World War it completed its evolution into a funfair pier. The theatre was converted into a restaurant on one floor and on the other the 'Laughter Land' games pavilion. The concert hall became a tea room, and the delights of the dodgems, helter-skelter, ghost train and miniature racing track could be enjoyed by all.
The Pier was designed and engineered by Eugenius Birch to attract visitors and survive in the hostile environment of the seashore. Built in 1866, it was a simple and functional structure built out from the sea using dozens of cast iron threaded columns screwed into the seabed and strengthened by a lattice of ties and girders that provide the necessary strength to support the promenade deck whilst allowing seas to pass harmlessly through.
Originally the West Pier had an open deck with only six small ornamental houses of oriental design, two toll houses and glass screens at the pier head to protect visitors from the wind and sun. In 1875 a central bandstand was added. In the 1880's weather screens the full length of the pier, steamer landing stages and a large pier head pavilion were constructed.
The final building, completed in 1916, was a graceful concert hall. The result is seaside architecture at its finest, designed to attract and entertain holiday makers with all the pomp and frippery that is the essence of the English seaside resort. The pier is unique in being largely unaltered since that time, its proportions and style are unrivaled and its concert hall and theatre are two of the best surviving Victorian and Edwardian seaside entertainment buildings.
People and the Pier
The West Pier story closely follows the changing fortunes of the English seaside holiday. It began simply as a promenade pier where visitors could enjoy the thrill of walking on water without the hazards of getting wet or being seasick. It was place for the Victorian middle classes to socialise and exhibit their wealth, to see and be seen, to take in the sea air and admire the panoramic views of the land.
By the First World War it had evolved into a pleasure pier with a great variety of seaside entertainment both indoors and out. Throughout the twenties it was immensely popular with attractions ranging from paddle steamer excursions, daring high divers and bathing from the pier head to military bands, recitals by the pier's resident orchestra in the concert hall and an all-year-round programme of plays, pantomimes and ballets in the theatre.
When the pier reopened after the Second World War it completed its evolution into a funfair pier. The theatre was converted into a restaurant on one floor and on the other the 'Laughter Land' games pavilion. The concert hall became a tea room, and the delights of the dodgems, helter-skelter, ghost train and miniature racing track could be enjoyed by all.
Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
- 14,036
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- #10
Here are some great shots...."1980!"
ManxSeagull
NSC Creator
When did the pier shut to the public
I was born in 1971 and cannot ever remember going on the Pier.
I was born in 1971 and cannot ever remember going on the Pier.
Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
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- #12
At night......
in it's better days.....
in it's better days.....
Strike
Sussex Border Front
ManxSeagull said:
1975
Good pictures North Stander, did you take them?
Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
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- #14
No but just to show what Brighton is losing!!
ManxSeagull
NSC Creator
Strike said:
In that case, I must have been on the pier but too young to remember.
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Spiros
Well-known member
I have vague memories of being taken to both piers in the early 70s (i was probably about 7 or 8 at the time). The West Pier was, for some reason, my favourite then and has remained so. About 5/6 years ago I was lucky enough to go on a (free!) tour of the place as they were looking to restore it. I was struck by how quiet it was compared to being on the seafront.
The Palace Pier is nothing more than an over-sea amusement arcade and in my view gives that part of Brighton a tackiness that it doesn't deserve.
Fond as I was of the West Pier I agree with some others who say it is time to move on. What about building something completely different, such as a short causeway out to a fantasticly modern building, like the Burj al Arab in Dubai. Look forward, not back
The Palace Pier is nothing more than an over-sea amusement arcade and in my view gives that part of Brighton a tackiness that it doesn't deserve.
Fond as I was of the West Pier I agree with some others who say it is time to move on. What about building something completely different, such as a short causeway out to a fantasticly modern building, like the Burj al Arab in Dubai. Look forward, not back
Northstander
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- Oct 13, 2003
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- #17
I for one do not one anymore amusement piers, my missus came down sometime ago and thought the palace pier and its surrounds was Blackpool- esque.....but thought the rest of Brighton was ACE and nothing like Blackpool which makes it exactly what is is...she now wants to move there!!