Community space

HB Times 14th Oct 2010

The future of the Pier

HB Times 14th Oct 2010

Community space on the Pier

HB Times 30th Sep 2010

Fourth Pier: Eden-on-Sea

Herne Bay could end up with two giant domes on its pier, just like Cornwall's award-winning Eden Project. The idea is the brainchild of graphic designer Dave Parish. He submitted his plans to a secret meeting of the town's Pier Trust last week, and says feedback has so far been positive. He told the Times: "I am very optimistic about the plans."

The Pier Trust is so taken by them that they are allowing Mr Parish, of Carlton Hill, to present them to the public on the pier on Saturday August 21 - the first day of the Herne Bay Festival. Mr Parish, 60, said:

"I'd like the emphasis to be on the environment, the community arts, leisure and tourism. It would be an environmental project influenced by the Eden Project but on a much smaller scale. There are still a lot of questions which need answers, but I often use my intuition and I feel this would work for Herne Bay if the money can be found. It would give Herne Bay the first green pier."

He added that it might make an ideal new home for the town's museum, which the city council is downgrading to save money. One of the climate-controlled geo-domes, made from glass, glass-fibre and the same hard-wearing transparent plastic material used by the Eden Project, would be called the Palm Dome. Mr Parish says it could be used for theatre, concerts, stand-up comedy, tea dances, wedding receptions and festivals, and have its own restaurant. It would feature cacti, palms and tree ferns, making it useful for school educational trips.

The transparent panels would protect visitors from rain, wind and sea but produce spectacular sea views. It would be linked to the second dome by a courtyard and tunnel. The Play Dome would feature a children's all-weather play area with entertainment such as Punch and Judy shows, clowns, magicians, a bouncy castle, ballpond cage and helter skelter. There would be a coffee bar and an area for teenagers with table tennis, pool, air hockey and internet access. The complex would be powered by solar panels and two wind turbines. There could be a floating platform for anglers and plenty of deck space screened from the wind. Mr Parish says there would be no need to extend the current pier superstructure. An illuminated walkway and viewing platform could run over the top of one or both domes.

Today's pier is all that remains of Herne Bay's third pier, which was once the second longest in the world. The Pier Trust, set up to rebuild the pier, needs new members.

HB Times 29th July 2010

2004: a vintage year for reports

The not-so-dusty Pier report from 2004 has been the cause of much pulse-quickening, gander-upping and even name-calling. My insatiable curiousity compelled me to send my spies to the four corners of the earth to learn more, and here's some of what I have gleaned...

The report itself is made of unobtainium and is scarcer than unicorn poo - it appears that very few people have actually held a copy in their hands. It is not available on the Canterbury City Council website. It is not available anywhere online, as far as I know, but it will be available here shortly. One of my operatives based in the North Africa bureau traced a fragment of the elusive document through an antiquarian booksellers in Marrakech. By a great stroke of good fortune, it's the executive summary of the 2004 report, and is well worth a couple of glances.

• It turns out that people have been peering at the Pier on and off for decades: Feb 1974, Dec 1996, Jun 1998 and the now contentious 2004 report. In the meantime, of course, the Pier itself has been falling to bits.
• At the beginning of 2004, CCC chose PMP Consultants (from a shortlist of three) to produce a feasibility study into "a new pier at Herne Bay" in PMP's words, or "the rebuilding of Herne Bay pier" in Canterbury's words.
• The study was jointly funded by Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and Tourism South East (now called Visit South East England), and was seen as being the first phase of the project: investigating the options for the new pier and assessing the economic viability of the project.
• In March 2004, CCC had the good manners to ask the people of Herne Bay about "the kind of facilities a new pier should provide". I'll see if I can track down what, if anything, they were told.
• In May 2004, PMP delivered their report on the future of Herne Bay Pier - here's the summary.
• In June 2004, CCC announced that PMP had delivered the report, and gave their own summary of PMP's findings - do feel free to compare the two and play spot-the-difference.

Pier Board: Who's Who

The Herne Bay Pier Trust was set up in 2008.  This is your handy, at-a-glance Who's Who and Who does What guide.

Julian Jennings - Chairman

Julian is married to Angela with three children and has lived in Herne Bay since 1989. Julian has 30 years experience in financial services, including as Sales Director within a financial services division of Lloyds Bank.  He now has diverse business interests as a landlord and Compliance Consultant to a small portfolio of financial services firms.  He is also Managing Director of two private limited companies, Guardian Estate Nominees Ltd and Estate Shield Ltd.

Andy Newell - Membership Secretary

Andy has fought publicly for many years for the restoration of Herne Bay's pier. He has many memories of the old pier and passionately believes it should be restored to its former glory as a benefit not only to the people of Herne Bay but also for the rest of the country. Andy is married to Jackie and has two daughters: Nicola 19 and Frances 17; and a son Todd 21. He works in the construction industry.

Michael Khoury

Michael has lived in Herne Bay for 23 years where his business interests include amusement arcades, catering and retail. He is a founder member of Town Partners and active in Herne Bay's Chamber of Commerce, for which he is currently President. He started life in a refugee camp and as a young man he worked on oil rigs in the Arabian Gulf. He was Employee Relations Representative for an American company for 4 years before being head hunted for the Ministry of Petroleum. After 5 years he moved to the UK, where he met his wife June.

Sue Austen - Website Administrator

Sue was born and brought up in Kent, and has lived in Herne Bay for almost 10 years with her husband, two teenage children, and two dogs. She has worked for over 25 years as an independent film and television producer and has made programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel Four. Her first feature film was selected for the prestigious Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival and she has received two BAFTA nominations for her work.

Jason Hollingsworth - Treasurer

Jason is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years of commercial experience.  He has worked extensively for blue chip organisations, including as Manager of Price Waterhouse and an Associate Director of Deutsche Bank.  In the past decade his focus has been on the Third Sector where he has fulfilled roles including Finance Director of a multi-million pound public arts project in London (www.alunatime.org).  He has also co-founded a number of not-for-profit enterprises including etheco.com.  Jason lives in Herne Bay with his wife and two children.

Andrea Leach

Andrea, 44, is married to Kim and has 2 sons Alex and Max.  Born in Canterbury he has lived all his life locally and moved to Herne Bay over 3 years ago.  Andrea is passionate about improving and developing the town.  He is bilingual Italian and has extensive business contacts both locally and in London. Andrea has over 20 years extensive European B2B experience with a number of leading global FMCG companies, including the sports apparel and leisure sector. As Capital Appeals Manager for a local children's charity he helped to raise £6.5m to build and open South London's first residential children's hospice.  He has worked with Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neamne as an Export Consultant for over five years.

Ian Priston

Ian is a communications manager responsible for relationships with the media and a wide variety of public bodies for the Courts Service in London. He is experienced in new public building project management, consultation, advising government and explaining proposals to wide audiences. Ian moved to Herne Bay with his wife Jane and their three young children last year and believes passionately that the town deserves a pier it can be proud of and which will appeal to future generations.

Peter Lee

Is a Conservative Councillor representing the Herne Bay ward West Bay on Canterbury City Council.. Peter has lived in Herne Bay for 50 years and has been involved in many local voluntary organisations during that time.  He runs his own IT Consultancy based in the town.

Margaret Flaherty

Is a Liberal Democrat Councillor representing Greenhill and Eddington Wards. Margaret lives in Herne Bay and is a teacher and mother of four grown up children.?

Newbies at the Pier

Here's the potted biographies-cum-pitches from the three Trustees confirmed at the AGM, one staying, two new. Michael Khoury has what I find to be a disarmingly honest and direct approach: if the Pier succeeds, the town will succeed, and his assorted business interests in the town will prosper - clear-cut and straightforward. Ian Priston looks promising as our new communications wizard, and will need to put in some spell-binding performances if we're to pull any rabbits out of this particular hat. Andrea Leach has a solid background in the nitty-gritty world of fund-raising, and willingly walked straight into this challenge, for which I applaud him. I'm pleased with all three.

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TRUSTEES FOR RE-ELECTION

MICHAEL KHOURY
Michael has lived in Herne Bay for 23 years where his business interests include amusement arcades, catering and retail. He is a founder member of Town Partners and active in Herne Bay's Chamber of Commerce, for which he is currently President. He started life in a refugee camp and as a young man he worked on oil rigs in the Arabian Gulf. He was Employee Relations Representative for an American company for 4 years before being head hunted for the Ministry of Petroleum. After 5 years he moved to the UK, where he met his wife June.

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NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTEE

IAN PRISTON
Herne Bay deserves a pier it can be proud of and I am committed to doing all I can to achieving that goal, particularly by helping build the trust's profile. Quite new to Herne Bay, my wife and I moved to the area to obtain a better life for our 3 young children. We chose well! By profession I am a communications manager responsible for relationships with the media and a wide variety of public bodies for the Courts Service in London. I am experienced in new public building project management, consultation, advising government and explaining proposals to wide audiences.

ANDREA LEACH
Andrea, 44 is happily married to Kim and has 2 sons Alex (16) and Max (12). Born in Canterbury he has lived all his life locally and moved to Herne Bay over 3 years ago and is passionate about improving and developing the Town! Andrea has over 20 years extensive European B2B experience with a number of leading global FMCG companies, including the Sports Apparel and Leisure sector. As Capital Appeals Manager for a Local Children's Charity he helped to raise £6.5m to build and open South London's First Residential Children's Hospice in South London. He is bilingual Italian and has extensive business contacts both locally and in London. He has worked with Britain's Oldest Brewer Shepherd Neame as an Export Consultant for over 5 years. Andrea would like to use his Business Contacts and experience as a Trustee and seeks your proactive support to help him make a difference!

Press editing

For those of you who are interested in such things, you can play spot-the-difference between what the local press gets sent, and what it publishes. Below is the un-cut version of the letter "whingeing" Kim sent the local press - see "Blood from a stone". I've highlighted the bits that ended up on the cutting room floor.

Open letter

With regard to your Article in last week HB Times

I am disappointed that the Pier Trust has been embroiled into your report of my communications with the Council regarding their historic efforts to rebuild the pier since 2004. I feel the matter has flared out of proportion and would like to put events into perspective.

The Pier has long been pawned as a vote catcher at election times, including the current, and by various political parties and it is interesting that the Pier was the catalyst of Survey subjects put to prospective MP's and reported in local papers last week. Quoting: "Our local and regional councillors are the ones who decide. MPs of course do their best to exert this influence".

I do not feel it at all unreasonable to want to know what efforts the owners of the Pier (Canterbury City Council) have made to rebuild the pier since 2004 when the glimmer of hope was given in the commissioned Herne Bay Pier Report. This report was commissioned by Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and a Tourist body. I have asked all three parties the same question: "What action was taken by them following the report to progress the rebuild of the Pier, what decisive action was taken to secure funding, when and with whom and what the outcome was." I, and I am sure many others, would like to know what action has been taken by the owners to maintain, restore and or rebuild the property they hold for the Town. I want to know how the Council feel justified in simply stating there are no funds to rebuild the pier without challenge from the electorate.

Similarly I contacted the KCC Councillor representing Herne Bay (Jean Law) similarly I contacted my MP (Roger Gale). It is fair to say there has been a strong resistance to communicate at all on the subject. Pursuing the question over several months I received various evasive responses but not one factual answer. Pursuing those responses I have received further evasive and somewhat personalised rebuffs detracting from the specified information requested. Now my communications on historical efforts by the Councils, Councillors and MP seem to be considered the Trust's concern which, quite frankly, I do not. I continue to seek factual information directly.

As an individual, I believe I am entitled to contact my council(s) on issues that matter to me, equally with elected Councillors and my MP. I believe that if, more often than not, my contact is ignored or the subject is avoided, side stepped or "spun" I am justified in pursuing the subject. Sadly as is often the case with a handful of Councillors, communications degenerate into personal attack. I appreciate that is often to deflect the situation and avoid the subject but I continue to feel justified in pursuing an honest straight forward factual answer.

I am a Life Member of the Pier trust, give my total support to the cause and hold the trust members in the highest of esteem. They have a thankless task ahead and work tirelessly. Two New Trusts Members were announced at AGM last evening and I believe there are exciting times ahead.

I would just like a an honest factual straight forward answer to a very straight forward question: "What action was taken by them following the report to progress the rebuild of the Pier, what decisive action was taken to secure funding, when and with whom and what the outcome was".

Kind regards

Kim Hennelly

Blood from a stone

My favourite "whinger" sheds some light on how she earned the title from a local councillor. It seems to me that her question is pretty straightforward and reasonable, and I'm disappointed (but not that surprised) that Kim's run into the all too familiar wall of silence.

No pier answer

I am disappointed the Pier Trust has become embroiled in my communications with the city council about plans to rebuild the pier (Storm brewing for pier trust). I feel the matter has flared out of proportion and would like to put events into perspective. The pier has long been used as a vote-catcher at election times by various political parties. I think it is perfectly reasonable for me to ask the owners - Canterbury City Council - what efforts they have made to rebuild it following the Herne Bay Pier Report of 2004.

It was commissioned by the city and county councils and a tourism body. I have asked all three parties the same question: "What action was taken following the report to progress the rebuild of the pier?" I want to know how the city council feels justified in simply stating there are no funds. I have also contacted the city council and Herne Bay MP Roger Gale. I have received various evasive responses but not one factual answer.

As an individual I believe I am entitled to contact my council(s) on issues that matter to me, equally with elected councillors and my MP.

I am a life member of the Pier Trust, give my total support to the cause and hold Trust members in the highest of esteem. They have a thankless task ahead and work tirelessly. Two new members joined at the annual meeting. I believe there are exciting times ahead.

Kim Hennelly

HB Times letters 20th May 2010

Pier Trust AGM

Rebuild pier or I'll 'jump ship': Trust founder vows to quit unless structure is restored.

A founding member of the trust set up to preserve Herne Bay's pier has vowed to quit if there is no progress towards rebuilding it within a year. Arcade boss Michael Khoury spoke out at the first annual meeting of the Herne Bay Pier Trust, and said he was determined to make their dreams of restoring the structure a reality. He also revealed the group hoped to buy the pier from owners Canterbury City Council for the nominal sum of £1. Mr Khoury said:

"If this end is going to be all we have of the pier I would jump ship yesterday. I want that pier to be done somehow I would like the council to build it for us but unfortunately that's not going to happen. But I will stand down next year if the rebuild is not going to happen."

The decision to try to buy the pier was made a few months ago and the group is now preparing a business plan to help their case and attract more funding. Mr Khoury said:

"As a businessman, I know what is good and what doesn't make money. I want that pier to be done somehow. We have to have a central attraction. We know we can make it work but we must have all the power to do it ourselves."

Mr Khoury also revealed the lack of progress so far had forced trust chairman Graham Cooper and fellow founding member Andy Newell to consider standing down from the group, set up by Canterbury City Council. But Mr Cooper, who took over as chairman from solicitor Stephen Parry just before last week's meeting, said the mood within the trust was now positive. He said:

"Our ambition is to get a full built pier and a first class attraction for the town. If we can get the right level of inward investment we can get the best for our beautiful town. I am feeling convinced we are going to do it. None of us would sit here if we didn't think we had a chance. But it is the membership we need. More people to support us. We have an open mind about the physical structure of the pier. We all agree we want a rebuilt pier structure. We are not going to do that overnight but that is what we are aiming for We want inward investment and public finding and then the ideas will come."

More members needed for project

Fewer than 120 people have signed up to support the rebuild of Herne Bay pier. Now leaders of the group set up to oversee its regeneration are appealing to others to join them to guarantee its future as a tourist attraction. Members of the Herne Bay Pier Trust hope to take management of the pier from the council and see 2012 as the key date to start its regeneration, once the sports centre has moved, leaving it free for future development. But at the first annual meeting of the Herne Bay Pier Trust, trustees said it was vital more people became members to attract crucial funding. Chairman Graham Cooper said:

"The trustees are all totally committed to regenerating the pier but equally it must be recognised that all of us cannot do it alone. If the citizens of Herne Bay are to have a new pier, they must be prepared to fight hard for it and pull together with the trust. We will certainly need to have a membership in the thousands if we are to have credibility and claim a legitimate mandate from the people of the town that a regenerated pier is what they want."

The trust hopes to raise enough money to pay for a complete rebuild to connect the pier to pier head and will ask for ideas from the town before committing to any designs. Volunteers are also needed to help share the workload.

HB Times 20th May 2010

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Membership of Herne Bay Pier Trust costs just £10-a-year. For more information or a membership application form visit www.hernebaypiertrust.co.uk or write to: Andy Newell, Membership Secretary 30 Gordon Road, Herne Bay CT6 5QT

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Democracy is worth encouraging

Put off joining

Your last edition presents something of a conundrum for local people. On the inside pages you have an item about the Herne Bay Pier Trust and its forthcoming members' meeting, effectively encouraging people to join up. On your front page you carry a report of how some of those who do face public criticism, scorn and attack from the ever-strident Tory councillor Jean Law ("Storm brewing for Pier Trust", HB Times May 6th). Hardly an incentive.

Some would say this is simply good, plain speaking on Ms Law's part. Others would say it is the usual local Tory trait of trying to stamp on any criticism and silence it, and of slapping the faces of those who attempt to call Tory politicians to account.

Brian Glew
High View Avenue, Herne Bay

HB Times letters 13th May 2010

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Involvement mustn't be dismissed as whingeing, and dialogue requires a reply to questions.

To declare an interest: I am a founder member of the Pier Trust. To declare another interest: I have a degree of empathy with Kim Hennelly (the "whinger"), having been bad-mouthed on the front page of the local press by local councillors within days of submitting the village green application.

I'm not happy with the Council's high-handed and combative response to criticism, which is I think the result of complacency, arrogance and a forgetfulness of purpose. I'm not impressed with the public's lack of involvement in local democracy, which has its roots in disenchantment with a Canterbury-centric Council, a lack of awareness of how to engage, and laziness (amongst many other things, like getting on with life).

None of the councillors was voted in by more than 50% of the electorate in their wards. The Council was chosen by a minority of the public, and it follows that the majority who didn't choose them may disagree with, and even criticise, the Council. For the good of their blood pressure and mental health, every councillor should be able to deal with criticism - I expect there are courses available.

"Just answer the question!" was a phrase that popped into my head with monotonous regularity throughout the run-up to the recent general election. And earlier, in my dealings with the Council over the last year and more. So, a very simple rule of thumb for all councillors and Council officers to bear in mind (or have stencilled on every visible surface) is:

"A straight question deserves a straight answer."

Following this simple rule will mean that the public will not feel we are being pushed away, fobbed off or disregarded. We will be more inclined to join in the dialogue between elected and electorate, leading to a robust, hands-on local democracy. Which is what everyone wants. Isn't it?

How to help the Pier

Joining Herne Bay Pier Trust is a chance to make a difference to the town and play a part in building the history of the future. The trust is urging people to become involved in preserving the pier and add their views to plans for the area surrounding it.

An exclusive meeting for members takes place on Tuesday, 11th May 2010, and anyone signing up before then will be able to attend. People can join the trust as a full member, which costs £10 per year, or as a friend, which is free, and allows the trust to keep them informed of events and progress in the regeneration bid. The organisation aims to secure the pier as a heritage building and a place that the whole community can use and enjoy.

Joining as a friend will help the trust to show that it has strong community support if it applies for grants in the future. The trust is also encouraging people to make a donation to help their work by going to its website’s online shop. For information about the work of the trust, and to join as a member or a friend, go to www.hernebaypiertrust.co.uk

HB Times 6th May 2010

Storm brewing

Storm brewing for Pier Trust

A war of words has broken out between pier campaigner Kim Hennelly and county and city councillor Jean Law just days before Tuesday's Pier Trust annual meeting. In a series of e-mails between the two women, Cllr Law accused property investor Mrs Hennelly 49, who lives abroad most of the year, of "whingeing". But Mrs Hennelly replied: "I am not whingeing. How bizarre you think that." The row began in March when Mrs Hennelly demanded to know why the city council commissioned a new £10,000 report on the future of the pier despite a similar one being paid for by the county council in 2004:

"How can the council warrant a further report when the options for the pier have long been established? This appears to be nothing but stalling tactics. Weston-super-Mare pier burned down in 2008 but, thanks to the determination of local people and the support of their council, it has been rebuilt and is due to reopen in May. If Weston-super- Mare can do it, why can't we?"

Cllr Law wrote back:

"The earlier report was paid for by Kent County Council and arranged by my late husband John Law. I have spoken to the Pier Trust and it has wonderful ideas for the pier once the pavilion is removed."

But that did nothing to appease Mrs Hennelly:

"That's the point: The Pier Trust is allegedly dictated to by the council. Is the council stipulating that proposals are considered after the demolition of the pavilion? If the council had taken that stance with the Marlowe Theatre we would be looking at a pile of rubble for another five years."

Cllr Law replied:

"Please do not keep on Kim. The Pier Trust is there to do a job on behalf of the town. If you want to get involved with the Pier Trust, other than just being a member; then get yourself on the committee. What are you going to do - other than keep on whingeing?"

Mrs Hennelly who was banned from contacting city council staff last year after a series of e-mailed questions, is flying back to Herne Bay specially for the annual meeting in the Pier Cafe at 7pm.

HB Times 6th May 2010

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Let's hope the mud-slinging doesn't escalate to mud-wrestling. Anyway, I'll be there early for a ringside seat.

Sell Museum to pay for Pier?

The report from Humberts Leisure angers the Museum campaigners, and doesn't please the Pier campaigners.

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Debate welcome on Pier future

Herne Bay’s Museum and Kings Hall should be sold off to pay for the redevelopment of town’s pier, a new report has suggested. The document, which was written for the city council by consultants Humberts Leisure at a cost of £10,000 reveals few developers are interested in working on the pier and suggests local firms may be the only hope.

The consultants recommend demolishing the pavilion building and using the empty pier structure as a performance or events space. A cafe, shops and entertainment venue could replace the hall, and collections in the museum could be relocated to the new pier.

The report said the museum building may be worth as much as £200,000. Council spokesman Rob Davies stressed no decision has been taken as yet to accept the report’s recommendations - which are likely to outrage campaigners still reeling from their failed fight to stop funding cutbacks to the museum. Campaigner Linda O’Carroll said:

“This suggests the council had no intention of saving Herne Bay museum and their review of its future counts for nothing. But we will continue to fight and at the moment we are investigating a lottery grant to help secure its future.”

The consultants admit redeveloping the pier will be expensive, and the council may need to find new ways of raising cash to fund the project - such as providing more beach huts along the seafront. Other suggestions include running an indoor children’s play centre and a Victorian-themed children’s ride, offering studios to artists and creating a water sports base. Proposals for a cinema, bowling alley and housing were ruled out. The consultants did not rule out connecting the two ends of the pier with an aerial ride of cable car-like pods.

The report concludes council should explore a long-term vision for the pier, “with a view to the reconstruction or restoration of the pier to its original length, or in a new form, in the longer term”. Councillors have agreed to move the sports facilities to Herne Bay High School and the Herons Leisure Centre site. Cllr Peter Lee, who chairs the town's regeneration panel, said:

“I welcome the publication of this report as the next step towards the regeneration of the pier. Subject to the relocation of the sports facilities, the report demonstrates that the pier has a significant future as an important visitor attraction at the heart of the town’s seafront. The report sets out positive and realistic options for consideration and I look forward to the debate in the town before the council takes any decisions.”

HB Times 2010-02-25

The First Pier

In 1830 two London businessmen visiting the area came up with an inspired idea. One of these entrepreneurs, George Burge, had recently worked for the great engineer Thomas Telford on the construction of St Katherine's Dock. Burge knew that the shallow water near the shore meant that any passengers wishing to land and take the waters had to be brought across in beach boats known as hoys, an uncomfortable and inelegant method of travel. He also knew that a similar problem across the Thames Estuary in Essex had recently been solved by the building of a landing stage more than a mile long which allowed passengers to disembark from paddle steamers and walk or ride on a cart towards the growing resort at the end, becoming known as Southend.

Burge returned to London and persuaded Telford to get involved with the project. Thomas Telford was President of the Institute of Civil Engineers and a well known figure. But he was now 72 years old. Although his name has forever been associated with Herne Bay, it is almost certain that the town's first pier was actually designed by his chief assistant, Thomas Rhodes. Whereas Telford always worked in iron, Rhodes was a carpenter and he made the fatal decision to build the Herne Bay pier from wood.

Burge had no difficulty in raising the funds for the pier's construction although £50,000 was a very considerable amount of money. Work began in 1831 and was completed a year later. At the same time Burge began buying land and, with local landowner Sir Henry Oxenden, he became involved in planning the town's development. Ambitious designs were drawn for the new town by local builder Samuel Hacker, including a series of elegant squares and a wide Promenade running parallel to the sea which for many years would be viewed as one of Herne Bay's major attractions.

The first pile was driven on 4 July 1831 and, less than a year later, on 12 May 1832 the first passenger steamer, the Venus, docked at the pier head. The first pier was an incredible 3,613 feet long and a sail powered trolley way was installed to transport alighting passengers and their luggage to the town. It made its debut run on 13 June 1833.

The decision to build in wood not iron was already proving to be a mistake. After only seven years the whole structure was in danger and urgent repairs were needed. The pier had become a victim of the devastating effects of the Teredo navalis worm eating through the wood which had never been properly protected. The solution was costly and time consuming and involved driving nails into every one of the inner and outer piles. But the greatest threat to the pier's future came from a different direction. In 1861 the railway arrived in Herne Bay and the steamers which brought travellers from London to the end of the pier emptied. In 1862 steamer services from London stopped entirely and the Pier closed. It was finally demolished in 1870 and the useful remains sold for scrap.

From: The Herne Bay Pier Trust

The Second Pier

There were mixed feelings in the town as to whether a replacement pier should be built, but eventually the Herne Bay Promenade Pier Company financed a very modest structure at a cost of £2,000. Designed by Wilkinson & Smith the new pier was erected purely with promenading in mind, and extended only to a length of 320ft (97m), with a small bandstand at the end. It was opened on 27 August 1873 by the Lord Mayor of London.

In 1884 a new theatre opened at the approach to the old pier and three years later the formal gardens were laid out to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee.

Between 1881 and 1901 the town's population almost doubled, from 4400 to 8400 and the last decade of the century saw Herne Bay begin to thrive again as a popular holiday resort. At the turn of the century the popular nickname for the town was 'Baby Bay' because so many nursemaids and children spent time here, enjoying the warm weather and healthy climate.

From: The Herne Bay Pier Trust

The Third Pier

In 1892 visits by shallow draft steamers began as an experiment to see how popular a new service would be and by 1895 ambitious plans were underway for a new deep-water pier capable of handling regular steamers. Work on the new iron structure began in 1896. When it was finished this would be the second longest pier in the country, running 3,787 feet (1147m) out to sea and requiring a small railway to carry the passengers and their luggage to shore.

But the new pier was almost destroyed before building had finished by one of the worst storms the town had ever experienced. It began on Sunday November 28th 1897 and reached its peak at midday on Monday 29th when the following description was written:

It was then that the sea, with irresistible force, began to sweep every obstacle before it. As it thundered against the sea wall it tore the projecting wooden railing from its place as if it were merely matchwood. The paving was wrenched in pieces and eventually in place of the trim promenade, which had been for so many years considered one of the longest at any English watering place, there was nothing left but a chaotic, wreck-strewn waste. The houses facing the front were fortunately not so much injured as they might have been; but the damage done to them was considerable. The effect of the seas as they struck the sea wall and rose many feet into the air - solid masses of water throwing off foam and spray and rending everything within reach - was indescribably awful and grand.

The pier was opened for business at Easter 1899 and in the first year the tram fares were £488. Although the new pier was a great success at attracting visitors to Herne Bay it was badly mismanaged by its owners. The Managing Director of the Pier Company, Henry Corbett Jones, was involved in a number of enterprises and in 1905 he was arrested and charged with embezzlement, falsifying documents and making false declarations. In 1909, after months of negotiation, ownership of the Pier was transferred to Herne Bay Urban District Council for a fraction of what it cost to build.

The pier finally belonged to the people of Herne Bay. A competition was launched to design the new Grand Pier Pavilion which was planned for the landward end of the pier. The winning design was by Percy J. Waldram and Messrs Moscrop-Young and Glanfield of London and the building was opened in 1910. The Grand Pier Pavilion was designed to seat 1,000, with an auditorium 130 feet by 95 and a ceiling height of 35 feet. It had a level floor to provide space for skating and dancing as well as a raised stage. It remained open for sixty years, providing the town with a venue for summer concerts, flower shows and exhibitions and civic ceremonies of all kinds.

The Great War saw the temporary suspension of steamer services, entertainments and the tramcars being used as shelters. Normal service resumed after the conflict, with the old tramcars eventually being replaced by a petro-electric tramcar built at Strode Engineering Works in Herne. The wooden theatre at the entrance to the Pier which had been retained from the second Herne Bay Pier was destroyed by fire in 1928.

The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 saw the end of the tram service. For the duration of the war the pier was closed and encased in barbed wire in case the Germans decided to mount their attack on England from Herne Bay. As an extra precaution two sections of the pier were removed completely in 1940.

In 1948 Herne Bay experienced another terrible storm, equal to that of 1897. Five years later, in 1953 the east coast of Britain took a terrible battering in February and the seafront and its properties were flooded. Ten years later, in the terrible winter of 1963, the sea froze. The pier which had stood for almost seventy years was beaten by the elements and declared unsafe. It closed in 1968. The Grand Pavilion remained open at the shoreward end but was destroyed by fire in 1970, whilst work was being carried out on the pier entrance. A new sports and leisure centre, officially opened by the Rt. Hon. Sir Edward Heath on 5 September 1976, has replaced the pavilion.

Local anglers were among campaigners pressing for the pier neck to be restored, but a severe storm on 11 January 1978 ended all speculation as the majority of the pier neck collapsed.

Since then the Pier head has been left isolated at sea, a poignant reminder to residents and visitors of Herne Bay's past glories. Local inhabitants, fishermen and tourists alike have never let go of the idea of the Herne Bay Pier being rebuilt to its original glory. In spring 2009 Canterbury City Council agreed to the formation of the Herne Bay Pier Trust. The main objective of the Trust is the preservation, renovation, reconstruction and enhancement of Herne Bay Pier. Canterbury City Council does not have the funding for such a project, so it is up to independent and possibly European Funding to see this beautiful example of Victorian engineering brought back to its original glory...

From: The Herne Bay Pier Trust

The Pier Trust

The Herne Bay Pier Trust was set up in 2008 by Canterbury City Council who have appointed 11 founding trustees. They are currently the most active body promoting the (re)development of the Pier, and our best hope of getting anything done.

Vision

The preservation, renovation, reconstruction and enhancement of Herne Bay Pier and the surrounding area as a building of special architectural and historic interest.

Mission

The promotion and use of the Pier for recreational purposes and as a community and heritage building for the general use and benefit of all the inhabitants of and visitors to Herne Bay and the surrounding area.

Find out more at their website.

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HBM

Pier news: decking to be replaced for £140k

about 11 years ago

Pier Trust EGM Minutes

about 11 years ago

Opening of the Retail Beach Hut Village on the Pier

about 11 years ago

This really pisses me off

about 11 years ago

Easter Newsletter from the Pier Trust

about 11 years ago

Pier Trust Chair puts her case

about 11 years ago

Pier Trust Rebuild Group put their case

about 11 years ago

Pier Trust Chair criticises Pier Trust Rebuild Group

about 11 years ago

The Pier Trust does some explaining

about 11 years ago

Crazy golf scheme for Herne Bay pier looks set to be approved

about 11 years ago

Humberts Leisure report on the Pier

Herne Bay's museum and Kings Hall should be sold off to pay for the redevelopment of town's pier, a new report has suggested. The document, which was written for the city council by consultants Humberts Leisure at a cost of £10,000, reveals few developers are interested in working on the pier and suggests local firms may be the only hope.

The consultants recommend demolishing the pavilion building and using the empty pier structure as a performance or events space. A cafe, shops and entertainment venue could replace the hall, and collections in the museum could be relocated to the new pier. The report said the museum building may be worth as much as £200,000. Council spokesman Rob Davies stressed no decision has been taken as yet to accept the report's recommendations - which are likely to outrage campaigners still reeling from their failed fight to stop funding cutbacks to the museum. Campaigner Linda O'Carroll said:

"This suggests the council had no intention of saving Herne Bay museum and their review of its future counts for nothing. But we will continue to fight and at the moment we are investigating a lottery grant to help secure its future."

The consultants admit redeveloping the pier will be expensive, and the council may need to find new ways of raising cash to fund the project - such as providing more beach huts along the seafront. Other suggestions include running an indoor children's play centre and a Victorian-themed children's ride, offering studios to artists and creating a water sports base. Proposals for a cinema, bowling alley and housing were ruled out. The consultants did not rule out connecting the two ends of the pier with an aerial ride of cable car-like pods.

The report concludes council should  explore a long-term vision for the pier, "with a view to the reconstruction or restoration of the pier to its original length, or in a new form, in the longer term." Councillors have agreed to move the sports facilities to Herne Bay High School and the Herons Leisure Centre site. Cllr Peter Lee, who chairs the town's regeneration panel, said:

"I welcome the publication of this report as the next step towards the regeneration of the pier. Subject to the relocation of the sports facilities, the report demonstrates that the pier has a significant future as an important visitor attraction at the heart of the town's seafront. The report sets out positive and realistic options for consideration and I look forward to the debate in the town before the council takes any decisions."

HB Times 2010-02-25

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See the Humberts Leisure report.

See the Pier Trust's official response.

The ninth iffiest Pier?

Herne Bay pier is among 10 across England and Wales that have been identified as being at serious risk of demolition or collapse. The report from the National Piers Society, placed the town's iconic structure at number nine in a top 10 which also includes Hastings and Brighton West piers in neighbouring East Sussex. But staunch defenders of Herne Bay Pier's future have dismissed the survey as pure conjecture. Graham Cooper, chairman of the Herne Bay Pier Trust, said:

"There's absolutely no scientific basis for this. It's purely based on public opinion and we or the city council have not been contacted to ask what we think. The pier structure itself is not at risk of decay or collapse but, of course, the pier head is. The Pier Trust is here to make plans for regeneration and to look at ways of changing it for the future. Canterbury City Council have already engaged consultants to look into future uses."

The National Piers Society believe this week's list illustrates the continued decline of the landmarks across England and Wales. A total of 101 piers were all built between 1814 and 1957 and now just over half of those remain, with 10 closed to the public. Society spokesman Anthony Wills feels the future is mixed. He said:

"It depends on whether piers can rebrand themselves and on what kind of state they've got into. Most important is whether or not the owners, be they private or the local authority, are continually investing and maintaining the structure, rather than just looking at the money-making aspects above the decking."

Hopes are high for Herne Bay pier's future, with Mr Cooper confident it can survive after the relocation of the Pier Pavilion sports centre next year. He added:

"This survey hasn't really taken any context into account. Herne Bay pier is in council hands, not private ownership and if the will is there, which it is, then something can be done. There's 100 per cent commitment from both the trust and the city council to improve the structure for future generations."

Kentish Gazette 2nd Sep 2009