Tuesday 5 October 2010

The Death of a Pier

Hastings Pier was built in Victorian times......and in it's heyday was an extremely popular attraction.
It attracted locals, day trippers and its ballroom played host to some major bands of the past eg. The Rolling Stones [not quite in Victorian times!!].
10 years ago it was bought by a Panama based company who spent a lot of money renovating the top part....new buildings....new planks....all very 'chic'.......probably a bit too 'trendy' for Hastings really.
But 4 years ago it was closed as 'structurally' unsafe.......and the owners refused to do repairs. A local group has been campaigning to save it......and it finally looked as if Hastings Council would do a compulsory purchase....and then the needed renovations. Until last night that is......when some brain dead morons set fire to it. 
95% of the structure has been destroyed......probably permanently......with fire fighters still trying to completely control the blaze......it is so sad to see an historic and unique building reduced to ashes......and just as sad to think there are people who find it amusing or clever to do something like this.
Photos courtesy of Heart fm.

17 comments:

JO SOWERBY said...

after the devestating damage to weston peir 2 years ago jacky i am sure they will be able to salvage her for hastings future. so sad to have to see something so beautiful destroyed by someone so narrow minded.
Jo xxx

Kathyk said...

That's terrible Jacky - you are sooo not wrong about the morons who carried out the arson attack being brain dead - should be strung up by (what they would consider) a valuable part of their anatomy!!

Jo already mentioned W-S-M pier's arson attack and W-S-M was lucky enough to raise funds to renovate again (it had been undergoing refurbishment when the attack happened) and I believe re-opened this summer (though don't quote me, it was SUPPOSED to re-open this summer.

Good Luck for Hastings pier.

Kathyk

Sian said...

Very, very sorry to hear about this. It's such a huge shame.

Liberty :) said...

I saw this on the news, it made me so sad and mad. Piers are such nice features and important part of heritage.

Amy said...

Oh that is just terrible - morons alright!

debs14 said...

I heard this on the news this morning, so sad to lose something like this. And it's even worse when it was a deliberate action.

Cheri said...

A similar thing happened in my home town several years ago. Three boys got drunk and set fire to Mood's Bridge (an old fashioned covered bridge). The borough spent years haggling over what to do and ultimately built a replica (which you saw in a photo I posted recently). While the replica is nice, it doesn't have the history of the original structure.

Such a shame to lose such a beautiful historic pier.

Anonymous said...

How awful! I hope the persons who did this are caught and held accountable. After many, many years of haggling, an historical railroad bridge in Poughkeepsie, NY was recently turned into a walkway and a state historic site. It's lovely and just what ought to happen!

http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/178/details.aspx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh my gosh, that's awful, Jacky. :o( There are some really stupid people in this world.

furrypig said...

That is such a shame, what a complete waste of money and time the only good thing is that no lives were lost. I hope Hastings do find the funds to restore it ...I am a big fan of piers.

Rachel Brett said...

It's so very sad, I just don't understand why some people behave like that.

Elizabeth said...

How very sad. All that history up in flames because of the whim of some selfish person.

pinky said...

Oh what a shame Jacky!! So destructive.
Pinky

Maria Ontiveros said...

That's so sad!
Rinda

Scrappi Sandi said...

I watched this on the TV news last night...such a shame, another piece of history lost. One woman interviewd put it perfectly...it's like someone's burned your photo album, you still have the momory but the proof is gone forever!!

Rhona said...

We went down to the Pier when we were in Hastings after visiting a friend in Pett, a few years ago. I was so sad to see the news the other morning - such a waste! Let's hope they have the right people!

humel said...

I read about this and was so saddened xx