The derelict years
The West Pier has become one of the images most synonymous with Brighton. The burnt out metal husk has no doubt inspired thousands of local photographers, and the more imaginative local residents too. Or the sepia stained photos of yesteryear, capturing the Pier in its regal pomp during its heyday.
The middle years
Yet as we learn at an early stage, every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. As stated above, the beginning is recalled in those proud photos of days gone by. The end is also easy to see, as it currently stares us straight in the eye should we ever voyage down to the sea front. But what about the middle?
21 years of neglect
The West Pier began its derelict life on October 1st,1975. 21 years passed before the Lottery became involved, but as we all know, it was not to be. I feel these 21 years have been criminally overlooked. Be it us as local residents, or the lasting interest of former residents or tourists, there is a real need to see the beautiful pier face the elements with the characteristic Brighton defiance, but bravely and slowly lose its battle.
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I have literally thousands of images on this subject. Check out http://www.westpierphotos.com
This is an extremly interesting investigation, it would be fascinating to find out about the Pier during its desolate period and the various attempts at salvaging this once marvelous piece of Brighton’s history.
This looks like it will be a very worthwhile and interesting project, not just for local residents of Brighton but for everyone.
The West Pier is a crucial part of Brighton’s heritage, its amazing to see that people care about it enough to write stuff like this.
I think your idea is fantastic Sam, and would be especially awesome for the older local residents who have seen the decline of the pier with their own eyes. Keep up the wicked work.
Perhaps it would be possible for public and private archives to pool their resources and present a ‘Brighton in pictures’? Maybe displaying them at the Brighton Museum?
I think that’s a really good idea. I agree how nobody really sees much of the West Pier before the past few years.
A very interesting idea. It’s strange seeing the pier alive and well like this. It’d be good to see more types of these photos.
For an excellent history of the West Pier which includes a lot of photographs across the years – please visit this site: http://www.mmhistory.org.uk/students/samglen/!west.htm – It is well worth a visit.
Excellent project to get started. Hope to see many more interesting pictures surface. Best of luck.
I have to agree that I think this is a good idea. I have no idea about the history of the West Pier apart from what you get in school! And I’m too young to have seen it in action.
This is a great idea, as people know about the West Pier’s beginning and end, but very few people know about its time during 1975-1996. I would definitly like to know more about it.
This looks like a really fun project, I’d be interested to see the middle history of the West Pier, all you really see now is pictures of it burnt out!
I am aware that the West Pier was a very important part of Brighton’s history – but – there is an enormous amount of material already published on the web. Sean Clark, the photographer from Brighton, has absolutly tons of images on his website that chronicle in very great detail the gradual demise of the West Pier – so to do it all over again here would seem a bit of a waste of time. It would seem a bit like reinventing the wheel if you ask me. Plus – many of the background issues are very political and this site is not the place for those sorts of discussions – in my opinion.
Top work Sam. As an enthusiast of the pier myself I think this is a noble effort. Keep up the good work.
I said in my introduction I wouldn’t be retreading the terrority done by Sean. He has only had pictures of the 21st Century pier.
It is so sad to see this beautiful old pier die, just like the one in Margate. When will councils realise people want the old buildings and piers back. I wonder what is next to go – the Royal Pavilion?
Please help.
I’m trying to find a photograph taken of a bird muck covered armchair taken inside the West Pier. A while ago they were being sold on the sea front in Hove and stupidly I didn’t buy one at the time. I now live in Lancashire and it’s not so easy to pop down to Hove. Any information greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
I remember taking a night time stroll with some friends along the Brighton seafront in 1986. A storm was approaching across the sea towards Brighton, and we stood by the beautiful, ghostly West Pier watching the lightning and hearing the rumbles coming closer. It was a dramatic scene, and the West Pier looked just wonderful… We still talk about that night. Even derelict, as it was in the 1980s, the West Pier was a lovely structure to behold. Its presence added a great deal to the seafront.
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