Hastings Online Times on the Pier

http://hastingsonlinetimes.co.uk/hot-topics/home-ground/pier-works-under-way
Starting in the New Year and working from the shore outwards, the deck will be made safe by replacing corroded steelwork and damaged decking. When this major job is completed by around September, it will be possible to bring in personnel and machinery to tackle the demolition of the ravaged ballroom at the end of the pier…………………..
But the support structure in general is in good condition, which considering that the Victorian pier is 140 years old, is testimony to the quality of the original workmanship, Mr Spooner said.
In light of the pier’s history, fire-resistant materials will be used for the rebuilding. The pavilion at the land end, the only part of the old pier that will be retained, will be rebuilt as a restaurant and bar. In the central area a new visitor centre will be built including a display area where the families and friends can come together for celebrations. Local contractors are being used for the restoration project and once the pier reopens, more than 50 new jobs are set to be created.
Members of the public will be able to follow progress of the reconstruction project at an information centre which HPC plans to open in January in the nearby sea-front building over the old swimming pool………………….

Oh Happy Memories!

From Hastings & St Leonards Observer

VIDEO: First stage of pier restoration begins

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/local/video-first-stage-of-pier-restoration-begins-1-5752257

A COLUMN supporting Hastings Pier has been replaced, marking the very first stage of the restoration of Hastings Pier.

David Spooner, project manager, Hastings Pier Charity, said: “During the past five years one column broke at a point below the beach level and collapsed.

“Because of its location this is a critical column and its replacement was essential.

“Controlled by the tides, the work had to be carried out before dawn last Thursday and Friday, when we had very low water, ensuring that work was stopped in time to get the plant and equipment away before the incoming sea cut off the access.

“Local specialist, South Coast Structures carried out the work which involved erecting the steel column (which is nearly six metres in height), bolting to the underside of the main trusses and clamping to the remains of the pile.

“This pile will have been one of the original screw piles installed by Eugenius Birch in 1869.

“We then had to concrete around the base of the column with a steel casing around it to form the abrasion protection.

“This column should now last for at least 50 years.

“There are two more columns near the promenade to replace which will be completed before the start of the main steelworks in January.

“Taking advantage of the same low tide, we also had the local soil investigation company, In Situ Site Investigation, carry out testing to help establish the ground conditions for where we have to install foundations for the new visitor centre.”……………………………..

We Are the News – Again!

Work begins on Hastings Pier renovation after years of neglect The Argus
These images mark the first time the press have been able to set foot onHastings Pier in three years and shows the scale of the project that lies ahead for the ...

The Argus

£13m pier restoration gathers pace Littlehampton Gazette
Officials from the Hastings Pier Charity, which is overseeing the rebuild, led cameras on a tour of the whole pier for the first time in more than three years.
Designed by Eugenius Birch, the pier was originally 910ft long. In the 20th century it hosted a mix of dancing, slot machines, rifle ranges, bowling alleys, bingo, ...

Pier restorers get ready for new year resurrection Yorkshire Post
Campaigners fighting to preserve Victorian pier in East Sussex almost destroyed by fire three years ago – are getting ready for “real” restoration work to begin.

News in brief Wiltshire Business
A column supporting Grade II-listed Hastings Pier in East Sussex has been replaced, marking the first stage of a restoration project costing more than £13 million ...

Video: £13m pier restoration gathers pace Belfast Telegraph
A column supporting Hastings Pier in East Sussex has been replaced, marking the first stage of a restoration project costing more than £13 million.

Pier shares deadline is extended BBC News
The majority of the £14m needed to restore the structure has come through the Heritage Lottery Fund but Hastings Pier Charity hopes a further £500,000 can be ...

BBC News In pictures: First phase of Hastings Pier restoration ...
Follow the link below for a look at the BBC's feature on the restoration of the pier. In pictures: First phase of Hastings Pier restoration. This entry was posted in ...www.hpcharity.co.uk/.../bbc-news-in-pictures-first-phase-of-h...

ITV: Restoration begins | Hastings Pier Charity
Connect with us · « BBC News In pictures: First phase of Hastings Pier restoration ... ITV cover the beginning of the restoration of the Pier. Click below to read the ...

Community Share Offer–Date extended!

Hastings Pier Charity is to extend their community share offer through to midnight, Saturday 5th April 2014, “we’ve already raised well over £170,000 and the huge majority of that is local investors and small sums, but we need around £500,000 to finish the building and put visitor attractions onto the pier,” said charity CEO, Simon Opie.

The building work began in August this year as just £200k of the target £500k is to complete the build; “the additional money is needed to fund what we want on the pier,” continued Opie, “ bar and brasserie, deckchair rental, children’s playground, a Heritage Centre, space for weddings and civil ceremonies , farmers’ market  - attractions that will bring locals and visitors alike to the new pier.” The charity has already raised £13.7m through the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources.

Shares are available in minimum packages of £100 with a maximum investment of £20,000 and a tax advantage via the Enterprise Investment Scheme. The scheme has attracted great support locally and the charity is hoping that interest will continue and spread, “we’re very confident we’ll reach the target.” (Simon Opie)

The offer document and shares are available via http://www.microgenius.org.uk   – an organisation set up to facilitate community share offers online.

Paper applications are available via Hastings Tourist information Centre in the town or the White Rock Hotel opposite the pier.

You can get involved……………

Hastings Pier

Help restore the pier by investing in the Hastings Pier community shares scheme: http://www.microgenius.org.uk/project/hastings-pier-15

Decayed, damaged and fire-ravaged, Hastings Pier was rescued by the determination of local residents and is now entering a second golden age in full community ownership.

- See more at: http://locality.org.uk/our-work/assets/case-studies/hastings-pier/#sthash.KQRgEPjJ.6wfUV1EO.dpuf

Columns 127 & 258

On the 7th December it was planned to inspect column 127, which is current lying on the sea floor but the tidal surge affecting the East Coast meant that the low tide did not reach out as far as expected.

Also on the 7th December 2013 the installation of Column 258 which was started yesterday, continued.

Early one morning………….

Institusi early yesterday morning on the Cone Penetration Test rig, testing the ground conditions to see if a bigger rig can be used to reach down 20+m to find the strata or layers below the beach.

From that the project engineer will be able to calculate the size and depth needed for the new stronger columns that will be put in beneath the Visitor Centre.

Visible pier work starts in New Year – Hastings & St Leonards Observer

 

But see photo below!

• The Pier will be transformed into a hive of activity following the Christmas break.

• The site office is established, extensive surveys have been carried out, decking cleared, barnacles scraped.

• Work is starting from the shore end of the pier, so it will be some time before the ballroom is cleared.

• The Pier Hub, located at the White Rocks Baths building on the Front will be up and running from the New Year.

(For more details see H & St L. Observer, 29th November, in the News section.  Also new Newsletter out soon)

This morning’s installation of Column 258BR

They were there at 4am to catch the low tide!

December comes in, with tree and sunset