|
|
Post by Ineedanewname on Aug 2, 2004 14:01:55 GMT
This is the pier pictured in the 'Quadrophenia' album/CD booklet: Brighton And Hove News The West Pier collapses - Summer 2004 On June 23, 2004 the West Pier's historic concert hall was finally sunk in a freak summer storm. The grand old lady of Brighton and Hove gave up the ghost after a battering by the elements as winds reached 70mph on the Sussex coast. Its metal frame already ripped bare by fire in 2003, the concert hall, once alive with dancing couples during the pier's heyday, made a final bow before slumping into the waves. All that remains now of the Grade I listed structure is its pavilion, itself reduced to metal by an earlier fire.   |
|
|
|
Post by Papillon on Aug 2, 2004 14:41:16 GMT
It hasn't gone completely.
The trouble is that various interest groups (Nimby's mainly) have done everything they can to slow up the restoration plans.
The National Trust have now withdrawn their backing from the restoration project saying that the pier would cost too much to repair. That really could be the end.
It' a real shame, and a real indictment of a small number of selfish bastards who've sabotaged every attempt to repair it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ineedanewname on Aug 2, 2004 15:56:50 GMT
Apparently they've now decided that the only thing to do is let it collapse into the sea. They've estimated it'll cost £20 million to rebuild, and the damage caused by the storm last week was basically the final physical blow the structure could take.  You live near there Pappy. Pop down and pick me up a souvenir! |
|
|
|
Post by JillKristen on Aug 2, 2004 16:37:45 GMT
My husband and I visited England several years ago, and we were very glad that Brighton was on our itinerary. We visited the pier and thought it was cool to see part of Who history. What a shame.
JK
|
|
|
|
Post by rollingmule on Aug 2, 2004 23:18:40 GMT
we gettin old islander. can,t take them bigass storms like we used too. kinda sad aint it. dammit to hell
|
|
granth
Roadie
Well A Young Man...
Posts: 516
|
Post by granth on Aug 3, 2004 0:29:02 GMT
It's really sad to see such a beautiful piece of architecture crash into the ocean like that- the problem is it's so hard to try to restore neglected buildings like that. It happened a while ago here- these 100 year old mansions were falling into the ground. Then came a truckload of rich americans who restored them all and live here 1/2 the year. It's a small price to pay at the very least!
|
|
|
|
Post by Papillon on Aug 3, 2004 10:34:41 GMT
The thing is granth, that the only reason it's in that neglected state is because some people have held up the restoration. One of the groups opposed just happen to own the Palace Pier further up the beach. Naturally, they don't want the competition, The repair of the West Pier was supposed to have got under way twenty years ago, but it's just been delay after delay after delay. If anything, the wrong pier has been preserved. Now, it's probably too late. Forget about it as a piece of Who-history, this pier was priceless as a piece of British history. Islander, the buggers won't let you get near it anymore.  |
|
|
|
Post by boniemaronie on Aug 3, 2004 10:39:58 GMT
it does seem ironic that large parts of british history are allowed to rot, or be sold of to developers, whilst our government spends millions paying a foriegn architect with apparently no common sense to build a bloody dangerous monstrosity and call it a memorial to princess diana  |
|
|
|
Post by Ineedanewname on Aug 3, 2004 14:48:54 GMT
The thing is granth, that the only reason it's in that neglected state is because some people have held up the restoration. One of the groups opposed just happen to own the Palace Pier further up the beach. Naturally, they don't want the competition, The repair of the West Pier was supposed to have got under way twenty years ago, but it's just been delay after delay after delay. If anything, the wrong pier has been preserved. Now, it's probably too late. Forget about it as a piece of Who-history, this pier was priceless as a piece of British history. Islander, the buggers won't let you get near it anymore. Yes, it's been a disgusting state of affairs, and let's not forget the arson. I really cannot understand the mentality of the Palace Pier owners. What they have they with their pier is basically an amusement arcade which extends out to sea. A restored West Pier wouldn't have been like that, it wouldn't have been in competition for the same crowd, people would have visited both. Talk about self-centred petty-minded ignorance. I used to live overlooking the Pier, but to my now eternal regret, somehow never found the time to take one of those guided tours around it. Oh well, cest la vie. |
|
|
|
Post by Papillon on Aug 3, 2004 14:55:09 GMT
I suppose you must also that most famous of night time haunts, the Market Diner too? Mega-Gutbuster please!  |
|
|
|
Post by mapleleafsfan on Aug 3, 2004 15:05:42 GMT
It's really sad to see such a beautiful piece of architecture crash into the ocean like that- the problem is it's so hard to try to restore neglected buildings like that. It happened a while ago here- these 100 year old mansions were falling into the ground. Then came a truckload of rich americans who restored them all and live here 1/2 the year. It's a small price to pay at the very least! what is a small price to pay? the historical buildings are being restored, taxes are being paid on the properties. it would seem to me the only ones paying a small price are the people who are sinking money into the refurbishment of these properties. |
|
|
|
Post by Papillon on Aug 3, 2004 15:21:43 GMT
what is a small price to pay? the historical buildings are being restored, taxes are being paid on the properties. it would seem to me the only ones paying a small price are the people who are sinking money into the refurbishment of these properties. Er. I think that's pretty much what he's saying, maples. Does "a small price to pay" have a differnet meaning in the US? |
|
granth
Roadie
Well A Young Man...
Posts: 516
|
Post by granth on Aug 3, 2004 15:35:40 GMT
The problem is that these millionaires come here, spend a gazillion for a few months, then leave. The place could become a ghost town in the winter if it keeps up... they've been trying to push the town to sell up all the waterfront which has been public access forever- luckily that hasn't happened yet because the natives used to summer around there- and the town won't sell out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ian on Aug 3, 2004 16:46:07 GMT
A lot like Grand Bend Ontario,Grant.It's just madness!  |
|
granth
Roadie
Well A Young Man...
Posts: 516
|
Post by granth on Aug 3, 2004 17:56:22 GMT
A lot like Grand Bend Ontario,Grant.It's just madness! Is that where you're from? Ever visited St. Andrews, NB? I don't think I've even heard of Grand Bend! |
|
|
|
Post by Ian on Aug 3, 2004 18:16:18 GMT
I've crossed the border at St.Stephen/Calais.Is St Andrew's any where near Woodstock NB? I live about 45 min. from Grand Bend, in London Ont.What was once a public beach is slowly being made private.It's became a power struggle between legit business owners and rich land-owners.
|
|
|
|
Post by mapleleafsfan on Aug 3, 2004 18:26:35 GMT
Is that where you're from? Ever visited St. Andrews, NB? I don't think I've even heard of Grand Bend! no wonder you're p****d off about rich people coming to your town. you live in a tourist trap. unfortunately for you that is probably the main source of income for your town. it's too bad, but that is what goes along with living on the coast. people from all walks of life and countries enjoy spending time at the sea-side. it's their get-a-way, their escape. now as far as the town not selling out.....seems to me they sold out a long time ago, otherwise those mansions would not have been there in the first place. |
|
|
|
Post by Ian on Aug 3, 2004 18:33:08 GMT
Yeah the beach going families like mine kind of get caught in the middle.We all hope for a amicable resolution.Cheers MLF!
|
|
granth
Roadie
Well A Young Man...
Posts: 516
|
Post by granth on Aug 3, 2004 20:06:30 GMT
no wonder you're p****d off about rich people coming to your town. you live in a tourist trap. unfortunately for you that is probably the main source of income for your town. it's too bad, but that is what goes along with living on the coast. people from all walks of life and countries enjoy spending time at the sea-side. it's their get-a-way, their escape. now as far as the town not selling out.....seems to me they sold out a long time ago, otherwise those mansions would not have been there in the first place. actually the town isn't quite as touristy as it could be- the town has a by-law against chain stores coming in which has really prevented some hassles! So in that area they haven't been bad. |
|
granth
Roadie
Well A Young Man...
Posts: 516
|
Post by granth on Aug 3, 2004 20:07:05 GMT
I've crossed the border at St.Stephen/Calais.Is St Andrew's any where near Woodstock NB? I live about 45 min. from Grand Bend, in London Ont.What was once a public beach is slowly being made private.It's became a power struggle between legit business owners and rich land-owners. St. Andrews is 20 mins from St. Stephen and a whole lot nicer! |
|
