If you have seen any of my photos from Eastbourne in England, you might remember the breathtakingly beautiful pier which was built in 1870. Today, there was an electrical fire and the largest domed part of it, the part where they have the Arcade games, has burned. You may see the photos from the BBC just here. I am thankful that the firefighters worked so hard to save the pier itself.
It is my hope that the Pier will be restored as closely as possible to what the Victorian builders were able to accomplish.
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| Remember the Where's Waldo books? (Where's Wally In the UK). See if you can spot me in the above photo! |
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| I love this photo that Richard took of the pier from 2012. Isn't it beautiful? |
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| The Pier had Eastbourne Blue during the 80's,/ the light blue- you can see the old paint at the top of this lovely railing. Then, it was painted a darker blue...I am hoping for the lighter blue once again! |
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| This is me from two years ago, trying not to get blown away! You can see the large dome on the pier at the left of the photo, that is the area that burned. |
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| This shows how large the domed area really was... |
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| This photo is from the end of the Pier, which was not damaged. |
Kay, It's heartbreaking when a landmark building is lost or damaged. I too hope it is restored back to it's original design. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteI am hopeful that it will be restored to its former glory!
DeleteBlessings to you!
The Piers in England have a habit of catching fire over the last decade but hopefully this one is not too badly damaged. Long seaside piers are a tradition on the English south and east coasts, probably because the beaches are mainly composed of large pebbles and gravel there rather than soft sand. It,s hard to walk on that type of beach with bare feet or sandals (flip flops) so I've arrived at the conclusion they were built to attract tourists away from the more popular sandy beaches.
ReplyDeleteMy own theory but I don't know if its correct or not.
Eastbourne is a lovely place.
Eastbourne IS lovely! If you look up the history of how carefully it was developed, I think it should be an example for all city planners, especially for those that are on any large body of water. (Okay, FLORIDA, I am talking to you!)
DeleteAnd I LIKE the pebbles, honestly I do! If you wait until the tide goes out, THEN you will have sand to walk upon...I have made sand castles there, and yes, I did so as an adult!
It's always so sad to see a part of history destroyed. It can never be replaced...a clone, maybe...but it's not the same. It can't be regained.
ReplyDeleteStill...two thirds of it is still standing! And they really can do amazing things in rebuilding in England, I have seen it! So...I am very hopeful for the rebuild! Fingers crossed!! :-)
DeleteWhen I was watching the news on telly last night and the fire at Eastbourne pier came up, I instantly thought of you!
ReplyDeleteI am sure they'll restore it as closely to the original as possible, it is such an important landmark.
We received an email from England (thanks Dave A.!) to tell us about it, and we looked at the BBC to see what had happened. You know that Eastbourne is where Richard's parents live, it is a most beloved place for us.
DeleteI am very hopeful for this pier, perhaps this will make everyone realize how precious the pier truly is.
The firemen are still there this morning damping down any hotspots that have been left. The pier was so much part of my childhood. I can remember an aunt and uncle always giving me six "old" pennies so that I could play on the machines. Why only six and not one penny more, I have no idea!
ReplyDeleteTommy Steel and Julia Foster starred in "Half a Sixpence" - about 1967 I think. That was one of my favourite films for years. In the film they met in Eastbourne after years of writing to one another. The Pier featured in that very prominently.
I do so hope they rebuild it and that it is not left like the pier in Brighton. Nothing sadder than a burnt out pier.
I am glad that you have so many pictures and happy memories of that very lovely pier Kay. x
I think the Pier is very much part of our son's childhood memories also. When I called him and told him this news, he has very fond memories of the pier, especially of the Arcade. They have filmed quite a bit in Eastbourne recently. I have read that it was considered for the pier to be blown up in World War II and I am thankful that they decided against it!
DeleteYou know, we have spent more time in Eastbourne than we have in other beach! I have only been to Florida twice in the past 30 years!
I hadn't heard about the fire as I've been tuning out the news lately. It is sad when something like that is damaged by fire. Hope it can be restored but it will take time.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the news, it has just been so hard to take recently. Looking on the bright side, it could have been worse! No one was injured and two thirds of the pier is still standing. I also hope for it to be restored.
DeleteIt was said on the News this morning it will be re-built and that the damage was not as bad as it could have been (whatever that means).
ReplyDeleteI have seen the burnt out piers at Brighton and Hastings, and agree with Pat, there is nothing sadder than a burnt out pier.
DeletePerhaps there could be a campaign to help in the rebuilding, I can just see it, "POUNDS FOR THE PIER"...and all monies collected could go toward the rebuild. I am also thinking of those who worked on the pier who are now out of a job...
I would hope that it is insured.
DeleteOh yes, I read that is insured. It is owned by a company called Six Piers, they also own the piers at Blackpool. Still, I think that there are certain buildings that hold such a place that they should be under the care of something other than just a company.
DeleteI am glad the pier itself was not damaged.
ReplyDeleteIt's bad but it could have been worse!
DeleteIt's always so sad when an old building is damaged by fire or natural disaster, and i hope they can rebuild it just the same way.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, I have seen some extraordinary things done in rebuilding in England, so I am too am hopeful for the rebuild.
DeleteI thought of you when I saw about the fire on the internet. Hope they put it back as it was and don't try and make it modern looking.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know why the modern look is so admired...the Victorians built some beautiful buildings, I don't see why they can't be copied!
DeleteI always feel a nostalgic tingle when I see photographs of English seaside resorts; it brings back memories of childhood holidays in Margate. Although born, bred and lived all my life in England, I've never been to Eastbourne - shameful, I know!
ReplyDeleteFor me, I only know this tiny corner of England, I've hardly been to any other part! My husband's parents live in Eastbourne, and they have done so for the past 31 years, that means we have spent a lot of time there!
DeleteIt's so sad about the fire - and I heard about it on your blog first! We holidayed in Blackpool most years with its three piers and I love them. We visited again a couple of weeks ago and I'll be blogging about it eventually. x
ReplyDeleteI read that the company that owns the piers in Blackpool is the same one that owns the pier in Eastbourne. I hope that this company reads my blog and sees all these comments hoping for the same look when they rebuild!
DeleteI will look forward to your post about Blackpool. I have read about it but have never been there.
This is so very sad! I think it was in Eastbourne we were during our '98 sabbatical . I am glad there was no loss of life or serious injury and hope it can be restored and that the Airbourne show will be a big success....
ReplyDeleteOh yes! The Airbourne Show is very popular, I have seen it myself!
DeleteIt really could have been worse, glad that no one was hurt. xx
What a shame.
ReplyDeleteI am sad for the loss but hopeful for the future.
DeleteSuch a beautiful place. I hope they are able to restore it properly.
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful! I also hope for the restoration.
DeleteWhat a beautiful structure. To me those piers are so quintessentially English. I do hope they can restore it to its former glory.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know about you, but I love the photos that Richard took of the pier! YOU are such a good photographer, I know you will appreciate Richard's talents!
DeleteI love the piers in England, LOVE THEM!
Hi Kay
ReplyDeleteOur presence in East Sussex has not been good news for the local piers. The week we moved here, Hastings pier was destroyed and now this.
An hour before the fire started, I was walking the dogs near here and looked over to Beachy Head and Eastbourne. When we got home the fire was on the news. It looks as though it can be rebuilt and that work will start soon.
For better or worse, the prime minister and chancellor were at the scene this morning.
Henry
Oh, I saw that the Prime Minister had visited the site. Also, that they now suspect ARSON. I wonder if it could have been someone smoking, somewhere they should not have been, and then it started by accident. (Sorry, I am not picking on smokers...this is just wondering). It's very hard for me to consider that someone would set a fire on this beautiful structure on purpose...
DeleteHenry, I am thinking of walking with you and Sarah up on Beachy Head, I can just feel that wind thinking about it! xx
Money is the problem here. Several million will be required.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that in four or five years it will be rebuilt however.
See my reply to GB above. POUNDS FOR THE PIER...that has a nice ring to it, perhaps that could happen!
DeleteThanks for your recent comment, I'm glad you enjoyed my post! I heard about this fire in the news, but I've never been to Eastbourne so have never seen the pier before. It's a real shame when these things happen, and it's not the first of our piers to burn down in the last few years either. At least it wasn't all destroyed, let's hope it can be saved and restored.
ReplyDeleteHey Louise! Thanks for YOUR comment! You have a lovely blog and I thank you for visiting mine! I know that piers have burned in the past years but this one in Eastbourne is very precious to me. I am only American, I know, but I still love it. xx
DeleteI've never been to Eastbourne, it looks lovely and I enjoyed your photos very much :)
ReplyDeleteOH, Thank you! My husband takes most of the photos on my blog and I think they are wonderful too!!
DeleteEastbourne is beautiful! If you watch Foyle's War, you will see Eastbourne in the background quite a bit, even though it is set in Hastings.
So sad...I do hope it's restored and next time you visit it will still be so lovely. Where's Waldo?? In the green shirt?? Just wondering! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes! You got it right, my dear! It's hard to hide my hair...it always puffs up enough when I am on that seafront! HA!!
DeleteI also hope that the Pier will be restored and I do so hope that it will be done as soon as possible. I am not getting any younger! LOL.
What a shame, so sad to read this. Fire restoration can take some time and expense to complete. Hopefully it will be done soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay! I remember your trip and all your photos of the pier. How sad that there was a fire!!! Glad they saved the pier. Hope you're well ~ I can't believe it's August already!
ReplyDeleteYou should see all the photos I have of this pier, I started taking them in 1985! I really love the Victorian architecture and really miss them when those buildings are destroyed or torn down. I know that I am not English and shouldn't comment on my love for these buildings, but there you are, my love is my love and I can't help it!
DeleteI know, this year is flying by! Richard and I have had some health "issues" as they say, but nothing too bad, just AGING things...stay young, my dear, as long as you can!! xx