Visit to Hastings Pier

The club met at Hastings Pier for its meeting on 26^thApril 2017. Following a major fire in 2010 which virtually destroyed the pier Hastings Borough Council eventually compulsorily purchased it and passed it on to the Hastings Pier Charity, a Community Benefit Society.  The organisation was set up in 2011 to take ownership of Hastings Pier in order to restore and run it for the benefit of the people of Hastings and St Leonards and the wider community. After a £14.2 million refurbishment which included replacing much of the under structure and decking, some 51 miles, the pier re-opened to the public in April 2016. The club was able to tour the pier with the Charity’s Chief Engineer, Peter Wheeler, who, after an introduction on the deck, took us ubelow the pier for a tour of the underside. He pointed out the piles for the original, thinner pier, as well as the piles and girders that had been renewed as part of the rebuild He explained how sea water and the effect of the waves caused corrosion and damage and said that the ongoing maintenance was a major and expensive factor. Between times Peter spoke about the history of the pier and the various difficulties encountered during refurbishment.  Returning to the deck  Peter showed us the central structure with its outdoor café surrounded by a glass wind protection screen before pointing out the problems caused by deteriorating piles at the end of the pier, Money was not available to deal with these but the hope is that the money will eventually be forthcoming. President Glyn Parry thanked Peter for a really interesting and enlightening tour.

The club rounded off the evening by tucking into a fish and chip supper at Maggies’ on the Hastings Stade.