The
seaside pier is perhaps the most iconic symbol of the British
holiday resort and for many of us it is the epitome of excursions to
the seaside. No two piers are the same, ranging as they do from the
clear uncluttered deck to elaborately structured pavilions, from
amusement arcades to the landing stages and theatres that were the
highlight of pier life in the early part of the last century.
Founded in 1979 under Sir John
Betjeman, the National Piers Society serves to celebrate the pier,
raise it in our consciousness and educate us on preservation,
conservation and the economic benefits for seaside towns of a
functioning pier.
Published to mark the bicentenary
of the opening of the first public pier in 1814, at Ryde on the Isle
of Wight, this book with contributions from experts within English
Heritage and the NPS tells the fascinating story of the Victorian
origins of piers, discusses the engineering and architectural
challenges imposed by varying climatic and tidal conditions, and the
instrumental role of the railways in stimulating pier construction.
The core of the book is a complete gazetteer of all piers which the
public can visit around the coast of Britain with details of their
location, history and current operations, and a variety of
historical and contemporary illustrations.
Whether your summer invariably
includes visits to the coast or you enjoy the vicarious pleasure of
the seaside from a winter armchair, this book is an essential
companion for all who admire and value Britain's rich seaside
heritage.
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