HASTINGS PIER
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HOME | BIOLOGY | FILMS | GEOGRAPHY | HISTORY | INDEX | INVESTORS | MUSIC | SOLAR BOATS | SPORT |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hastings
Pier is a pleasure pier in
Hastings, East Sussex in the United
Kingdom. The town has never been able to compete with the
cosmopolitan Brighton or the babe-tastic Bournemouth. Even neighbouring
blue rinse, Eastbourne, beats it with its sea front flower arrangements,
although we note their pier is also in need of some paint. Hastings has
not got a lot to recommend it as our pictures suggest, and the rumours
that Hastings has the second-highest suicide
rate in the UK is enough to make anyone want to rethink their location.
Hastings Pier in much need of restoration
During various period of its history, the pier included various halls: Pier Pavilion (destroyed in 1917, rebuilt 1922, used as a drama theatre in the 1930s), Pier Theatre (opened 1881?, rebuilt 1934, demolished 1951), and a bandstand. Used for music hall and variety performances. From the 1960s, also used for large rock concerts.
The pier opened on August 5, 1872, by the then Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Earl of Granville. Eugenius Birch, designer of the West Pier, Brighton, also designed this pier. In 1996 the pier was put up for sale, but the future of the pier was put in doubt as there were no interested buyers due to the amount of money needed to improve the piers supports. However the pier was bought and reopened under new ownership in 2002. Despite the investment put into safety features it was recently discovered that supports had collapsed, and it is now unlikely the pier will be open for the summer.
Construction on Hastings Pier started on 18th December 1869. It was opened by the Earl of Granville, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports amid great ceremony on Monday, 5th August 1872, the country's first ever Bank Holiday. Designed by the famous engineer Eugenius Birch, at a cost of £23,250, the original pier was modelled on Brighton West Pier. Unlike Brighton, however, a very handsome oriental style pavilion, capable of seating 2000 people comfortably, was constructed at the seaward end. The pier was 910ft (275m) long and varied in width from 45ft (13.6m) to 190ft (57.5m). On the approach to the pavilion, a flight of steps either side of the building led down to the landing stages, each 200ft (60.6m) long by 8ft (2.4m) wide. In 1885 a further landing stage was built at a cost of £2,000.
During the early part of the 20th century, many small buildings were erected on Hastings Pier to house various leisure facilities. In 1910/1911 a shooting gallery and slot machines were installed, and in 1912 a rifle range and bowling alley were added. In 1913 the shoreward end of the pier, known as the 'parade extension', was sold to the local council to finance a new arcade, shops and tearooms. On 15th July 1917 the pavilion was destroyed by fire, eventually being replaced by a much less elaborate structure in 1922 often cruelly referred to by the townsfolk as an 'aircraft hanger'. A shoreward end pavilion was built in 1926, embellished by an art deco façade in the 1930s. During this period Hastings Pier provided much entertainment. There was dancing every night, daytime concerts, stunt diving, and speedboat trips out to the harbour and back. A searchlight was even fitted to the pier to provide adequate light for the youngsters who dared to go midnight swimming.
Sunshine Girls and Hastings Pier
IN THE PRESS
Pier owner 'will appeal' against order to keep it closed - 12 September 2006
A COURT has ruled the main section of Hastings Pier will remain closed until vital repair work is complete.
Despite objections from owner Ravenclaw and legal representations from tenant Stylus Sports, District Judge Roger Ede decided Hastings Council was justified in closing the structure on June 16.
The Sunshine Girls - September 06
CLUBBING
Saturday
night in the swish bars of Hastings and the talk of the town is the latest
Collusion event on Hastings Pier, with
special guest, Radio One DJ Judge Jules.
"We conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little handful it is."
Sunshine Girls - "Dear Councillors, please save our heritage"
SURFING
LINKS
BexhillToday EastbourneToday
SUSSEX INDEX A - Z
BEACHY HEAD - BELL TOOT (BELLE TOUT) LIGHTHOUSE CHIDDINGLY - HORSE SHOW and GYMKHANA CUCKMERE VALLEY - EXCEAT EAST
SUSSEX HERSTMONCEUX - CASTLE - CE SCHOOL - LINKS - FESTIVAL TWISSELLS MILL, OLD HEATHFIELD
Hastings Pier entrance with shops fenced off
A taste for adventure capitalists
Solar Cola - a healthier alternative
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This website is Copyright © 1999 & 2006 NJK. The bird logo and name Solar Navigator are trademarks. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged. Max Energy Limited is an educational charity. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AUTOMOTIVE | BLUEBIRD | ELECTRIC CARS | ELECTRIC CYCLES | SOLAR CARS |