Penarth Pier's 125th Anniversary Celebrated Behind Closed Doors
By The Editor
6th Apr 2020 | Local News
Penarth Pier opened to the public in an official ceremony on the 6th of April 1895, 125 years ago today. It is one of the last remaining Victorian piers in Wales and its prominence in the local town has always been of major significance.
The Pier has survived two world wars, financial ruin, a fire, two shipping collisions and a number of reparations and renovations over its long history.
However, the art-deco structure, that we all have all come to love and enjoy today, will be unable to celebrate its anniversary as it remains closed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Plans had been made by Penarth Civic Society, the Penarth Pier Pavilion and other community groups to celebrate the birthday of the Pier including an art exhibition, a quiz and other nods to the long history of the structure.
Of course, very sadly, these have been forced to postpone these events in light of the current situation.
The National Pier Society tweeted: ''Celebrating Penarth Pier's 125th anniversary on the 6th of April 2020. We're sorry we can't be there to party like it's 1895 with you.''
A Brief History:
The pier was opened in 1898, having been constructed by James & Arthur Mayoh, assisted by Herbert Francis Edwards, a local engineer. The pier was an immediate success, namely because the cruises, provided by the pleasure steamers that used the pier's landing stage, proved very popular with the public. The Bijou Pavilion was also added to the pier-head in 1907. The combination of these two elements landed Penarth as a tourist hotspot in the Victorian era. One of the most popular and well-remembered elements of the Pier's history was the Marina Ballroom from 1934. This flourished until the start of WW2. During both World Wars, the pier was requisitioned by the army and shut to the public. In 1994, a restoration programme was completed at a cost of £650,000, including repairs to the rotting substructure. In 1996 a £1.7M programme started, replacing steelwork, decking and the berthing pontoon. The final restoration was completed after a £1.1M grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the restored 650 feet (200 m) formally reopening in May 1998. A public-funded initiative was launched in 2008 by Penarth Arts & Crafts Ltd (PACL) to restore the landmark to what we know it as today. The £3.9m refurbishment scheme involved the restoration and redevelopment of the pavilion for use as a cinema, cafe, observatory and multi-purpose community complex The Pavilion's design included a 70-seater community cinema, an auditorium, exhibition spaces, designated education areas, a bar, and a restaurant overlooking the Bristol Channel. On the 1st of December 2013, the Pier reopened to the public. In April 2014, the pier was granted the ultimate accolade by being voted the 2014 Pier of the Year by the members of the National Piers Society.The Present:
Waterloo Tea, who now operate the café situated in the Pier Pavilion, breathed new life into the business and it is now a popular destination for walkers and visitors of the seafront.
Historically, the Pavilion functioning as a cinema has been problematic. It has been tried a few times before now but with limited success.
Snowcat Cinema, who currently organise the movie schedule, have reinvigorated this popular use of the Pavilion.
Events, galleries, concerts and community make up the day-to-day running of the Pier and the Pavilion now.
It is a focal point in the town's summer festival and thousands use its walkway to take in the breathtaking seaside views.
Although locals may grumble about the number of images shared of the Pier; or, the constant emphasis of it in reference to Penarth, residents are extremely proud of the iconic structure.
We are very sad that we will not be able to celebrate the anniversary on the Pier but we welcome residents who would like to share memories or images with us on this remarkable day.
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