Worthing Pier named 'pier of the year' by baroness in award ceremony
To mark Worthing Pier winning the National Piers Society’s ‘Pier of the Year’ competition for 2019, a ceremony was held at the pavilion café.
Dame Joan Bakewell, a baroness in the House of Lords and patron of the society, handed over the award to the mayor of Worthing Paul Baker.
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Hide AdThe Labour peer praised the iconic Art Deco, Grade II listed building which was first opened in 1862, saying: “Worthing is a queen of piers, there is no question about it.”
Worthing last won the award in 2006, making it one of a handful of piers across the country to be crowned twice.
Before accepting the honour, Mr Baker said it was a ‘tremendous’ achievement.
He said: “The pier has been a part of my life for as long as I have lived.
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Hide Ad“I remember fishing off the pier – not catching anything, but fishing nonetheless – and the new amusements, which aren’t so new anymore: the amusement arcade.
“What a thrill it was: being a young boy walking along the pier and feeling like I was on a sea voyage, imagining I was out sailing the seven seas.
“We have won it twice; now lets go for the hat-trick.”
Dame Bakewell, a broadcaster and journalist, was part of the House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns, which published a report on April 4 outlining what coastal communities can do to reinvent themselves.
Brighton was cited as an example of a successful transition from holiday resort to a thriving city.
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Hide AdDame Bakewell said that the regeneration of Worthing Pier and its Southern Pavilion by Worthing Borough Council was an example of this right here in our town.
She said: “It is a sublime example of what a pier does and the variety it offers.
“I wish I lived nearer. It is a wonderful party venue. Get married here; get divorced, even.
“I hope it bears fruit and has a long and illustrious life attracting people to Worthing.”
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Hide AdAmong dignitaries at the event was Susan Belton, chairman of the Worthing Society. She said the group was ‘delighted’, adding: “I feel our heritage is here to be enjoyed by the whole town, and this building is a magnificent example of that.”