Architecture

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Permalink Reply by Freak Face on September 25, 2009 at 8:39pm

The Palace Pier...

Brighton Palace Pier was one of the last piers to be constructed in England. Designed by R St George Moore, it was to be built solely as an amusement and pleasure emporium. At 1,760ft (533.3m) in length, and boasting a wider than usual deck, the pier had everything the discerning tripper could wish for. A 1,500-seater pavilion at the seaward end was complimented by smaller pavilions containing dining rooms, grill rooms, smoking rooms and reading rooms. There were ornamental arches for the electrical illuminations, and an electric tramway ran up the centre. Provision for bathers at the pier head, and a landing stage for pleasure craft completed the picture. A contemporary report at the time stated that Brighton Palace Pier was "unequalled by any similar undertaking in the United Kingdom". It had taken an unprecedented 10 years to complete, a record for any British pier.
Brighton's famous chain pier was showing startling signs of decay after a long and active service, and discussions for its replacement had been ongoing during the 1890s. In 1889 the Marine Palace and Pier Company purchased the chain pier for £15,000, with the intention of constructing a brand new pier. Government consent was granted on the condition that the old pier, which closed to the public in October 1896, be demolished.
Work commenced on Brighton Palace Pier in 1891 but continued slowly due to financial problems. On 4th December 1896 a mighty storm destroyed the old chain pier. Substantially constructed of timber, much of the larger debris from the old pier continually smashed against the screw piles of the new pier, resulting in serious damage. It seemed somewhat ironic that, in its final moments, the old pier should strike a blow against its sibling rival. The bulk of the new pier was completed by 1899 and, despite the fact it would take a further two years to complete the seaward end platform and an accompanying pavilion, it was decided that the official opening should go ahead.
Shortly after midday on Saturday 20th May 1899 a procession of local dignitaries, including the Mayor and Mayoress, lead by the bandsmen of the Brighton Rifles made their way to the end of the unfinished structure. Once the formal ceremony was over, the party returned to the pier entrance. The Mayor and Mayoress then entered Brighton Palace Pier for a second time, but now paying the twopence toll.
With the completion of the seaward end on 3rd April 1901, the finished Brighton Palace Pier had cost a staggering £137,000. It covered an area of 2.5 acres, and had used 85 miles of planking throughout the structure. An ornate pavilion and winter garden was added at the centre of the neck in 1910. Such splendour, admirably complimented by the beautiful Victorian West Pier, and further enhanced by the town's Regency architecture, gave Brighton an enviable appearance that no other resort could match.
Brighton Palace Pier was extended in 1938 but was sectioned as a war precaution two years later. When it was re-opened after the war, Brighton Palace Pier continued to prosper. Little work, other than routine maintenance, was undertaken until 1973 when it was decided to demolish the unused landing stage at the pier head. Whilst this work was being carried out a gale caused a 70 tonne barge, being used by the demolition company, to break free of its moorings. In the heavy seas the barge was repeatedly smashed against the pier substructure resulting in severe damage. The oriental theatre suffered badly, with one side left precariously hanging over the sea, and the wrecked landing stage was eventually demolished in 1975.
In 1984 The Palace Pier was purchased by the Noble Organisation, and plans were announced to restore the damaged theatre. It was duly dismantled in 1986 and stored prior to restoration. As is often the case with developers, the whereabouts of the theatre is now uncertain and, despite protests from the theatre trust and other bodies, the future restoration of that building is now highly unlikely. A large amusement and pleasure dome now occupies the old theatre site. With the possible restoration of the Brighton West Pier, the Noble Corporation again courted controversy by renaming this pier 'Brighton Pier' as opposed to 'Brighton Palace Pier'.

The West Pier...

The Pier was designed and engineered by Eugenius Birch to survive the hostile environment of the seashore and attract visitors. 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 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 size and style are unrivaled and its concert hall and theatre are two of the best surviving Victorian and Edwardian seaside entertainment buildings.
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 a 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 variety of seaside entertainment both indoors and out. Throughout the 20's 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 Trust's engineers had identified the south-east corner of the Concert Hall as weak during 2002 and it was hoped that emergency works could take place to stabilise that section. However, the bureaucratic delays caused by the Palace Pier owners' legal challenges led to funding delays and as a direct result, that corner of the Concert Hall collapsed in a storm on 29th December 2002.
On 28th March 2003 the Pavilion was destroyed in an arson attack, and on 11th May 2003 the Concert Hall also was burnt out deliberately.
English Heritage was commissioned to report on whether after such damage, the restoration was viable. In December 2003, in an erudite and detailed report, English Heritage concluded that despite the significant damage, given the wealth of salvaged material from the pier and the considerable photographic and video archive, repair and reconstruction of the pier was still viable.
It was therefore surprising that in its meeting on 28th January, the Heritage Lottery Fund decided to withdraw its funding of the project. English Heritage responded by stating days later 'the West Pier must be saved' and asking for until September 2004 to report on a viable restoration scheme.
With the loss of lottery funding it is now very unlikely that the West Pier will ever be restored to look as it did in its prime. However, the Trust remains hopeful that one day a new West Pier will be built reflecting, in contemporary design, the grandeur of the old pier.

Permalink Reply by Percy the Dreamweaver and Son. on October 15, 2009 at 4:02pm

This could be architecture, after all it was all carved, made on the ground (built ?)......

........Hi Folks.This is a short Google Earth vid of all the chalk & earth hill horses in England & Wales.

Music is by the talented Nathan McRee and is from the Tomb Raider 1 playstation/p.c game.

Hope you like it!

Permalink Reply by s <3 on October 15, 2009 at 4:28pm

I had not idea we had so many White Horses...... horses a very special I wish more people appreciated them and less abused them. Humans owe so much to the horse, but few of us are grateful or even realise the debt we own them.

Loved it..... thanks Percy.

My son recognised the music straight away....... a misspent youth!!!!!!!

He was never been involved with the horses... well, credit where credits due.... he did no occasion help a bit and has ridden a few times too, once he got run away with, and another time nearly run over by the same pony that run away with him!