Can the Phoenix Rise Again? Weston-Super-Mare and Birnbeck Pier
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2023
- I visit Weston-Super-Mare in North Somerset and explore both the piers, as well as examining the fascinating history of Birnbeck Pier.
Birnbeck Regeneration Trust:
www.birnbeckregenerationtrust...
My Clevedon video:
• Clevedon
My Brean video:
• Brean Beach & Brean Down
South West Sundays See Monster video:
• See Monster | Weston-S...
Jesse's Grand Day Out - Brean Video:
• Check Out These STUNNI...
#seaside #piers #westonsupermare
Hi Paul. I do love your videos and photography. Right up my street. Looked all around the area when we stopped at a long closed B&B at Wearyall Hill at Glastonbury. Tried to see what remains of the Weston Clevedon and Portishead railway. Not much left! Happy days when I had my soul mate to keep me company. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Richard! I did try and see what was left of that line too, when I did my Clevedon video fairly recently - nothing worth mentioning sadly! I doubt very much that there is anything left in Portishead with all the development that has gone on there recently. Thanks so much for your kind words. I am a sole traveller - I can never decide if I like that status, or not! Take care, Paul.
Thank you for sharing. The town is much as I remembered it from the late 80s. Fond memories of the pier and its arcade back in those days.
Thank you! Yes, the Grand Pier is almost the same as I remember it - sadly poor Birnbeck isn't! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Cheers, Paul.
Super video, Paul. Brought back lots of memories of trips to Weston with my parents. I do hope Birnback is restored, it will be an excellent visitor attraction. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Take care. Ron🙂👍
Thank you Ron.
Glad you enjoyed my little tour of Weston-super-Mare. It still does have a certain charm, but it is also rather faded these days, unfortuately.
Maybe restoring Birnbeck Pier will help to revive the resort's fortunes. It certainly worked for nearby Clevedon, which has a stunning pier again.
Take care,
Paul.
Thoroughly enjoyed that visit to Weston-Super-Mare and Birnbeck Pier. Even in this state the old pier had charm. Those black and white photos were magnificent. Loved the music you chose to put under them too by the way. Oh that wind, difficult at times to hold that camera isn't it? Thank you for taking me to places from your past and those which hold lovely memories. Have a wonderful weekend Paul. Thanks again for this lovely video. 🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿👌
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this tour of Weston. It is a bit of a 'faded glory' type of resort - quite different to Weymouth! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend too! Take care, Paul.
Enjoyed this video very much. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for taking us on this journey
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video. It was sad to see Birnbeck Pier after my memories of it in the 1980s, but it was sad to see the condition that it had deteriorated too. Take care, Paul.
Really enjoyed watching your visit to Weston, and looking at your photos. I have so many fond memories of visiting the place on family holidays through the 70s and early 80s. I haven't been back for many years, so it was really interesting to see what it's like now, and also sad (looking at Birnbeck Pier, the boarded up hotels nearby, and how few tourists are around in peak summer).
Thank you!
Yes, it was quite apparent at just how much quieter Weston is compared to Clevedon, just up the road. I visited Clevedon several weeks ago now (so earlier in the season), but it was much busier, and there was much more on offer for the day, or longer, visitor. Maybe restoring Birnbeck (which, like Clevedon's Pier, has so much character) could also help to revive Weston's economic fortunes.
Like I mentioned in the video, I had not been back to Weston since the 1980s too, so it was a trip tinged with sadness, as well as one of discovery too.
Cheers, Paul
Great video as usual Paul. Thank you. My memories of Weston goes back to mid 50s. We used to have an annual trip with school from Swansea. We would board the hire buses which took us to Cardiff then one of the Cambells White funnel fleet across to Western arriving at Birnbeck Pier. Then the long walk to South Pier by which time the tide would have receded. When the tide was on the rise we would be walking back to Birnbeck for the steamer home so never saw Western with the tide in. Then at Cardiff back on the buse with the inevitable water pistol fight as everyone had bought water pistols. Then in the early 60s now living in Birmingam and courting would take a day excursion from Snow Hill to Western Locking Road. Would at least see the tide in.then. Graham Sinnett.
Thank you Graham! That's a brilliant comment and a super memory from the 1950s, and from the 1960s too. Very unlikely that the pier will ever see boats again, apart from the lifeboat. Glad you enjoyed the video. 🙂Take care, Paul 👍
Sad about the organ. The spikey thing is known locally as the Carrot I think - it’s a bus shelter, kiosk and public art installation with a natural light show I believe as you mentioned. I think it’s actual name is Silica. It mimics something similar in Hanover in Germany. Sad to see Birnbeck pier looking in such a state but plans to transform it sound wonderful. I would have walked it at around then same time with my family, but sadly have no memories of it at all. Really fantastic street
art! There is so much street art around Weston. Thank you for recommending my Sea Monster video on the end screen and for mentioning it during the video.
Ah, thank you Louise! I could not film, or get closer to the base of the Carrot/Silica as there were so many homeless and drunk people around it! It is very similar (almost identical!) to the one in Bude. I do hope the restoration plans can go ahead fro Birnbeck Pier. It would be a terrific draw for visitors to the town, just like the restored one in Clevedon is. Yes, there are some very talented artistic people around Weston - some of it was really superb. Thanks again, Paul.
Birnbeck pier is such a sad sight, even more so in your black & white shots. That was a wild & woolly day, but you managed to capture some great photos.
Thank you Faith!
Glad you enjoyed my photos of the pier.
Take care, Paul.
I enjoyed learning about this pier Paul. You coped well with the fierce winds and sand going in your face when on the dry sand later.😊
Thank you Cathy! Yes, it was a bit windy - the hazards of working outdoors! It was good to see Weston again, after all these years.
Take care, Paul.
What a wonderful video Paul. It gives a unique look at West Super Mare through your camera lens, with some fantastic black and white photographs too.
What a great shame that the pier is in such a dilapidated state. I really do hope that this Grade 2 structure can be completely refurbished and brought back to life again.
Your photography skills must be applauded. What fantastic pictures at the end of this video.
Thank you Michael. Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, this was my first time back in Weston-super-Mare since the 1980s, and it was such a shame seeing it like this after memories of walking along it. Thank you for your kind comments regarding my photography - I do try! Take care, Paul 🙂👍
Hi Paul, Interesting story attached to Birnbeck Pier, especially the bouncing bomb. I wasn’t sure whether the RNLI still used the island and they did so until 2015 according to Wikipedia. On the horizon behind The Grand Pier I could see an island, I thought at first Lundy, but that’s miles away, I think its Steep Holm or the Split Rock Battery.
I hope that alternative use can be made for the cinema and that it doesn’t get spolit.
My AA book tells me that the tide goes out over a mile!!
Some great seaside sights and scenes which you caught perfectly, always enjoy seeing the black and white ones and wasn’t that a fantastic mural at the end, that was a really perfectly framed photo!!
I always think of Trumpton when I see a bandstand, we have them even out here, sometimes used for dancing and occasionally open air concerts.
Great video, looks like it brought back quite a few memories!!. Have a great weekend
Hi David,
Yes, I was surprised to hear about the bouncing bomb experiments there too.
There were issues with vandalism and the RNLI use of the island, hence why they pulled out in 2015 - such a shame.
Yes, it is Steep Holm behind Grand Pier - you can also make out Flat Holm in some of the photos too.
I remember all too well from childhood visits just how far the sea goes out at Weston! Left me dissapointed on many occasions when I was very young.
Yes, those beautiful bandstands seem to get very little use, unfortunately.
Thanks for a great comment!
Take care,
Paul.
Hi Paul nice video and photos have a good weekend 👌👌👌
Thank you Roy! Hot day today, but I managed to get two videos done, including a visit to Evesham. It is the boat regatta there this weekend. Unfortunately, the weather looks a bit iffy! Hope you have a brilliant weekend too. Cheers, Paul.
@@westcountrywanderings hi paul im at evesham in my motorhome this weekend 👌
Ah, brilliant! Hope you have a great time there.
Brilliant video Paul, really enjoyed watching this. I lived in Weston in the late 1990s and have just returned from a visit to my Mum who lives there. I just came across your video and found it all really interesting, especially all your details of Birnbeck Pier. Love the way you've integrated photos with video. Good work and thanks for sharing 😀👍
Thank you Patrick!
That's very kind of you to say so.
I subscribed to your channel (a while back) but, unfortunately, with creating, researching, travelling, filming, editing and replying to comments (and non YT things too!) there is very little time left to catch up with everyone else's videos, so I really appreciate that you took the time out to reply to one of my little videos.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I do so hope that Birnbeck Pier can be saved. It would be great if it can get up to the same standard as Clevedon's.
Cheers,
Paul
@@westcountrywanderings Not a problem at all Paul. I appreciate, being a film maker like yourself, that there aren't enough hours in the day to catch up on everyone else's videos. What I've seen here Paul is brilliant, and you should be proud of yourself. I look forward to catching up on more of your content. Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you Patrick. My big project at the moment is The Severn Way - I am doing it slowly in stages but I have got from Mt. Plynlimon to Worcester so far. I am really enjoying it 🚶🏞️
I visited Weston two years ago. Very interesting place to walk around. The pier amusements were good fun.
Thank you Alice! Yes, I did have a go, but didn't film, it because of all the children around. Great to hear from you, Take care, Paul.
Lovely tour of some iconic features of Weston, especially its Art-Deco cinema and Birnbeck Pier. Your haunting images of the Pier show the extensive work required to restore it to something like its former glory. It must be a pretty unique piece of seaside architecture. Hopefully the success of the restoration project will also signify Weston's recovery from a period of hardship and decline.
Thank you Malcolm!
Glad you enjoyed the photos. It is a wonderful subject for photography and it tends to lend itself for monochrome photos. I used a yellow filter too, which enhances it further.
Yes, I do hope that it can be fully restored.
Thanks again,
Take care,
Paul
Desolation! That’s how I would sum up your atmospheric photos of Birnbeck Pier & the accompanying music matched perfectly!
I did feel for you struggling in rain and gale force winds to bring us this video. When you visited Brean ( I hope I remember that correctly) you had terrible weather too! Yuk eating sand and salt!!!
I always think of Jill Dando when Weston Super Mare is ever mentioned. And wonder who was responsible. Thanks!
Yes, Diana, it was one of the few times when I can remember exactly where I was (if not always exactly what year it was) when I heard that she (Jill Dando) had been shot on the steps of her apartment. A lovelier person you couldn't wish for - it seemed just a senseless crime. If it was to do with presenting Crimewatch, she was only the messenger. I don't know what could possibly have been achieved by it. And, we still don't know who did it, let alone why. I was unaware of this memorial garden, and, as so often happens, I stumbled by it by accident, and I was so glad that I did. It was also partially funded by the Weston Mercury newspaper, who Jill worked for before joining the BBC in the South West (BBC Radio Devon and then Spotlight (TV), both in Plymouth).
Yes, it was Brean where it was also very windy too! Must be something about that particular coastline, as I have not experienced that when visiting other coastlines in Devon, Dorset or Cornwall, well not as fierce as that in summer!
I do so hope that Birnbeck can be restored - Clevedon Pier also looked a hopeless case before they started work on that one - so it can be done, and it could also be the catalyst that Weston needs to bring the tourists, and its fortunes, back.
Thanks for a lovely comment.
Take care, Paul.
Thanks for that comprehensive reply. I do hope the pier can be brought back to life! And it triggers a regeneration for tourism at Weston.
No the weather hasn’t been so friendly recently!
Interesting and well made video. Over the years I have often heard people pointing out Weston (like many UK towns) has social challenges or needs investment? Clevedon may have less social challenges but there is no real beach there at all. Weston as a traditional seaside town is still extremely popular especially nowadays with day trippers. It is old school but it can be a decent fun day out, fair play to Weston.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree.
While some parts of Weston-super-Mare do need some investment and love, there is still much to offer both the daytripper and longer stay visitor to the town. Nothing at all wrong with 'old school'!
Clevedon and Weston both offer a lot, I feel, and do like the contrast between the two towns.
Thanks so much and thank you for watching and commenting.
Take care,
Paul.
@@westcountrywanderings Your videos shine a light on this beautiful country and its vast history. We should embrace and celebrate our traditions. There is currently too much talking down of this country down. We may not have it all but we are still a top ten global destination for tourists and immigrants. I look forward to watching all your videos.
Although it's sad to see old Picture Houses closing it's not altogether surprising considering the quality of film releases in recent years
Many old theatres have survived by offering an altogether different experience by not only highlighting the buildings but also by featuring screenings of classic and cult films to new audiences
Yes, it was particuarly sad to see this one go, as I went to it regularly in the early 1980s. I do hope a new purpose for it can be found. I do prefer independent cinemas to the chains, as they often show independent cinema and sometimes with a before or after talk by the director/actors, etc. There is a great one in Totnes, and another in nearby Dartington in South Devon. Thanks for the comment.
@@westcountrywanderings
Indeed and also (although I'm slightly too young to remember them myself) I enjoy watching the 'Look at life' short films which I believe were shown in cinemas prior to colour television
What's great about them is the sense of postwar optimism which they convey
Thanks again 👍
@@stephenchappell7512 Yes, some of them pop up occasionally on 'Talking Pictures' TV Channel on FreeSat/Freeview. I have seen a few of them. I know exactly what you mean about the optimism that they conveyed - the exact opposite of nearly every programme on 'ordinary' TV now!
So agree with everything you both said.
@@dianarolph1770 Thank you Diana! I hope you have a super weekend. Take care, Paul.
Great mono photos
Thank you.
The organ in the closed Odeon is in fact a Compton installed when the cinema first opened by the John Compton organ company of London.
Ah, thank you for the clarification! I think the Merlin Cinema chain (based in Redruth, Cornwall) are going to take it on - they have a good reputation for turning the fortunes of many cinemas around, like ones in Helston, Okehampton and Coleford.
Its now open
spent every summer down in sandbay from mid sixties to late seventies didn't go again for thirty odd years , the child had grown .such a shame about the old pier
Thank you!
Yes, it looks like plans are now well underway to get Birnbeck Pier fully restored and up and running again. If Clevedon can do it......!
Sandbay is still and lovely spot.
Cheers,
Paul
If the council made the walkway safe,cleared away the rubbish and shored up the buildings Im convinced that everyone who came to weston would pay a few quid to visit.
I agree! I would love to be able to get out and about on this pier again. It is a real asset to the town. Cheers, Paul