Surviving the ravages of time

The opening date was May 11,1865, and it changed the way people viewed Bognor's seafront forever.

It was more than 1,000 feet long and only 18 feet wide, taking more than 18 months to construct at a cost of 5,000.

The building was carried out by local labour, which included fishermen. It was then bought by the Rev Gilbert in the 1870s.

He grew weary of his ownership and sold it in 1874 to the Bognor Promenade Co Ltd, but it was soon sold to the Bognor Local Board for 1,200.

It was the 19th pier built nationally but these piers were intended as nothing more than a structure on which people could stroll, enjoy the sea air and look back at their own town. This must have been an exciting concept of the time.

Today we have the benefit of television and books about the places we visit as well as internet for information and pictures of the places we wish to learn about.

In 1897 there was an article in the Bognor Observer stating that plans were being formulated for changes to the pier. There were also polls held in the press seeking views on the way forward.

In 1908 the pier was sold for 10s 0d (50p) and the new owners spent more than 20,000 building the landward end of the pier. These new attractions and facilities were opened for the 1912 season and included 12 shops and a 1,400-seat theatre. There have been many attractions on the pier over the years including a series of shops, cinema, roller-skating area, and a miniature train.

During the first world war, the pier was used by the Army and during the second world war it was renamed HMS St Barbara and used as a shore base for the Royal Navy. During the second world war a section of the main walk way was removed, as part of a national initiative to prevent the enemy using piers on which to land. I would like to have a pound for every time I have been told the pier was blown up during the war! While a small landing stage had been built in 1906, access was still a problem for the large steamers.

In 1936 this was rectified when an extension was made to the pier to enable the popular larger steamers to arrive. The new landing stage had two levels and was therefore also available for speedboats.

Sadly the pier has been damaged numerous times by the force of the sea; first in 1964 when major November storms removed the pavilion at the end to be followed in the March by the remaining seaward end.

I have heard of people digging on the beach, finding coins from the end of the arcade machines which had been swallowed up by the sea and sand. Finally on October 24, 1999, the severe seas again destroyed part of the pier when more than 100 feet collapsed into the sea. It is difficult to appreciate that this was so long ago.

During the 1970s there were unsuccessful major plans for a 300-bedroom hotel, shops, cafes, moving walkway way and lifts to various levels, with a conference centre for 1,000 people at the end of the pier. By the 1980s there were further plans which included a marina, shops and housing.

There have been many personalities who have used the pier over the years. However, what of the local people who have been associated with this facility? There are of course the Birdmen who, since 1978, have taken advantage of the construction to bravely 'fly' from the end of the pier. In the 1950s and 60s there were numerous diving displays which brought much delight to holidaymakers.

There have been a number of plans to change and improve facilities on the pier, the first being in 1894 and these continued until extensive plans were announced both in the 1970s and again in the 1980s.

The pier still provides a memory for many and today rings to the sounds of the modern amusement arcade machinery, which runs below the snooker room.

Regularly there are the ever-popular discos held in what was the main theatre. This is all in stark contrast to the sounds of laughter that would have emanated from the theatre shows and cinema that were originally housed on the pier. Unfortunately, these pier constructions are disappearing at an alarming rate around the country through damage from the sea, fires and changes in entertainment trends. We are lucky that we still have our pier from the 19th century.

Many believe our pier is an eyesore and should be demolished. There are others who view the construction as their place of work and would be sorry to see it go.

For others it is their investment in the town and we are lucky they are prepared to put time and money into the pier.

The use to which the pier is put is not always to everyone's taste, but it is a working, living centre of the town, which is needed, especially at a time when other employers are reducing in size or even leaving the town. I was sad the children's entertainment area was lost for the town, but it has been replaced by another entertainment for another age group, which is proving to be more financially viable.

If you pass the pier, you will see part of the front is now boarded up. No, this isn't bad news, quite the opposite.

More improvements are planned, some of which are due to ever-changing legislation. The gift shop is being transformed into an adult gaming centre which will be separate from the main games area.

The gift shop will re-open on the side of the pier and ultimately there will be more changes and facilities available to us all.

All these changes are being made in accordance to the listed-building requirements and will lead to an increase in use of the pier and help retain this essential feature of the seafront.

I am sure we would all complain if the owners left town simple because it was not a viable proposition. So let us hope work will continue behind the scenes to increase and improve this facility for our seaside resort.