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NEWEST PIERS
In this second part of his series, Dene Bebbington looks at the history of two of the newest piers in North Wales…
There was a time when North Wales had more seaside piers on which holidaymakers could enjoy walking over the waves and breathing the freshest of sea air. Sadly, those at Rhyl and Rhos-on-Sea are long gone, but others like those at Bangor and Colwyn Bay remain.
Ever since their introduction in the 19th Century, piers have been popular with children and adults alike. A line and hook can be lowered over the edge for the simple pleasure of fishing and crabbing, while other activities can be enjoyed by those seeking more lively ways to pass the time.
Piers developed from jetties in a bygone age when boats were a common way of getting between coastal towns in Britain. Wealthy people could afford a visit to the seaside for the promised health benefits of sea air. They took to promenading on jetties, a new tradition noticed by savvy businessmen who saw a chance to attract more people, and money, with pleasure piers. So a mania for pier building began, the first opening at Ryde on the Isle of Wight in 1814.
Bangor joined the select club of seaside towns which could boast one with Pier y Garth which opened in 1896 towards the end of the golden era of pier building. At 1500ft long it stretches not into the sea like most piers, but more than halfway across the Menai Strait towards Anglesey. A series of pretty kiosks line the walk to the pier head. Originally, steamers berthed at a landing stage, providing services to and from England and the Isle of Man. Passenger luggage was carried along the pier on a narrow gauge baggage line. Entry to the pier cost tuppence, and up to sixpence for special events such as pierrot shows, brass bands, variety shows and competitions.
All was well until 1914 when the cargo steamer SS Christiana wrecked a section of the pier in a collision, yet proper repairs weren’t carried out until the 1920s. Its future looked uncertain by the 1930s as steamer traffic declined. After the Second World War the council made improvements to the pier, but by 1971 it had degraded so much that it was unsafe. Restoration funding was finally secured a decade later with work beginning at the end of 1982 and the reopening years later in May 1988.
The cost of maintenance is an on-going challenge for pier owners. Thankfully Bangor Garth Pier weathered financial difficulties and survived. It’s still a popular spot for refreshments at the pavilion or kiosks, and for taking in glorious views of the Menai Strait.
Further up the coast in Colwyn Bay the last of North Wales’ piers opened in 1900. The Victoria Pier was very short at just 220ft. Despite the stubby length it would have been a majestic sight thanks to the large 2,500 seat Moorish style pavilion. Dominating the view it looked more like a building floating above the sea than part of a pier. Later, in 1904, the pier was extended to 750ft, and in 1916 the Bijou Theatre was added at the pier head. Troops stationed in the town during the First World War attended performances there.
Fate has been harsh to many piers – corrosion, ship collisions and fires have all taken their toll. In 1922 the Victoria Pier’s pavilion succumbed to fire, as did its replacement and the theatre in 1933. Afterwards it continued to have a troubled history when hospitality company Forte bought the pier in 1968. They modernised the pavilion to become a Dixieland Showbar and built a nondescript amusement arcade at the landward end, having removed the Victorian tollbooths and entrance gates. Forte realised that pier maintenance can be a substantial financial burden, so in 1976 they applied to demolish the seaward end. The council refused permission in the face of opposition to the plan which led to a petition signed by 4,000 people. By 1979 it was sold on again, but even after trying to attract customers with a disco the new owners also found costs oppressive. In 1987 they too sought to demolish the pier.
The last few decades have been no kinder to the Victoria Pier. In recent years what remained of it was replaced with a short structure that’s been sympathetically designed with ornate railings, lamps and benches harking back to Victorian times. Though it’s far less dramatic than the original, Colwyn Bay is keeping alive the dream of walking over the waves, and there is hope that the pier will be extended in the future.
Piers are surely a source of pride for a seaside town, and visitors are their lifeblood. Bangor can be proud that their pier achieved greater recognition by winning the Pier of the Year Award in 2022, and Colwyn Bay Pier came a satisfying third place. Let’s hope that these iconic walkways over the sea which have given pleasure to so many locals and tourists are still standing into the next century. n
As funeral directors in Llandudno, North Wales Chris Lord-Brown and Jonathen Harty have over fifty years of combined experience. Serving both local and neighbouring communities, their expertise and knowledge combined with their extensive contacts have led to numerous families entrusting them to arrange and conduct the funeral services of their loved ones.
Together they run Lord-Brown & Harty Ltd. This independent, privately owned and professionally qualified funeral directors and monumental masons is situated in the heart of Llandudno on the North Wales coast.
They are proud member of The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), undergo regular inspections of premises and paperwork to ensure compliance, and abide by the NAFD's Code of Practice.
CHRIS LORD-BROWN
B.Ed(Hons) DipFD chris@lbandh.co.uk
JONATHEN HARTY
B.Ed(Hons) DipHE FRAS jonathen@lbandh.co.uk www.lbandh.co.uk
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