Teignmouth
Pier
As
Teignmouth began to thrive as a seaside resort in early Victorian
times it was considered a necessity of the times to have a pier. Victorians
liked nothing better than to promenade along and show off their finery,
and to enjoy the healthy sea air. So in 1865 work started in building
a simple design by J.W. Wilson. The pier was to be 700ft long (212m).
It was originally to be an open promenade supported by cast iron,
projecting out into the sea from the sandy beach.
In
1867 the Pier was complete, and Victorians first enjoyed the long
red sandy beaches from the placement of the bathing machines either
side of the Pier as a divider. Since in those days it was not allowed
that women, and men should bathe together least of all undress in
close proximity. Therefore the bathing machines for the ladies were
to the east of the pier and the gentlemens were to the west.
In
1871 a Mr Arthur Hyde Dendy who owned the Bathing Machine Company
in Paignton decided that he wished to purchase Teignmouth Pier in
order that Paignton could have a Pier. However he had technical difficulties
with his plans, and eventually abandoned his idea and reopened the
pier again after refurbishment in 1876. With the refurbishments done
the Pier was a much grander structure, and by 1890 the pier boasted
two pavilions. The Pier offered Steamer Trips daily to Plymouth and
Weymouth, and became a very popular feature to Teignmouth. In 1904
the entrance kiosks at the head of the Pier collapsed into the sea
for no reason. Fifty years on one of the pavilions was destroyed by
fire and a bridge section of the pier which linked the end of the
pier to the landing stage was removed. When this happed the Pier then
became approximately 75 ft (22.7m) shorter.
It
was then discovered that it was necessary that steel pilings were
required to be driven into the bedrock below the Pier in order to
keep the Pier from collapsing. It was found that old eroded wooden
groynes beneath the Pier had caused serious undermining, and it was
necessary to place copious amounts of cement and sand in order to
secure the Pier and to make it safe.
Nowadays,
the shore end of the Pier offers traditional shops and amusements
where holiday makers can have the pleasure of spending their hard
earned money. The refurbished deck provides childrens rides, radio
controlled models and an outdoor go -kart track on the site where
the pavilion once stood.
The
recent renovations have provided easy access for Disabled Visitors.
To
find Teignmouth pier, take the A381 to traffic lights at the Junction
of Exeter Rd Teignmouth- straight on to roundabout, turn right into
Orchard Gdns, Straight on down to Den Rd, to the Den and the Promenade.
Paignton Pier
After
Mr Arthur Dendy’s plans had been scuppered for transporting
Teignmouths Pier to Paignton, he decided that Paignton must have a
promenade pier that was the essential part of the seaside resort scene
in Victorian times. Plans were drawn up by a Mr G.S. Bridgeman and
Paignton Pier received a Royal Assent on June 30th 1874. The Building
started in 1878, and was opened in 1879.
In
1881 a Billiard Room was built on the Pier head where Billiard players
would find two fine billiard tables. At the entrance to the Pier there
were cloakrooms, a refreshments room, and a roller skating room. At
the Pier head there was a Pavilion which the Billiard room was connected
to. The Pavilion was an impressive structure, the interior was elegantly
decorated with brilliant lighting, and fitted with a movable stage.
A grand Organ, a Harmonium, Grand Piano, and Kettle drums were amongst
the many instruments that were there to enhance the many concerts,
balls, and productions that the visitors to the Pier could enjoy.
The
Pier head burned down in 1919, apparently the fire started in the
Pavilion. The firemen valiantly tried to extinguish the fire , but
to no avail. The impressive building and its contents including the
wonderful instruments plunged into the sea. The Firemen removed timbers
from the decking of the pier in order that the fire didn’t spread
along the full length of the pier. The whole sad loss of the pavilion
was a great commenting point to visitors and locals alike in the 20’s
and 30’s.
The
Council offered a sum of money for the pier in 1920, the offer was
accepted, but then the “ Middle Class Associates” who
had representation on the Council objected to the acquisition, and
went to private owner again. In the War years the pier was requisitioned
by the war dept, and some 30ft of decking was removed near the shore
end, as a “ anti invasion” precaution.
In
the 50’s as a child, one would remember the penny arcade where
you could drop an old large penny into a machine, a ball would appear
and you would have to flip it with a handle for it to disappear into
one of a selection of holes to see if you had won tuppence ,(1p) or
four pence( 2p).
Then
there were machines which your Mum and Dad would whiz you past and
say that they were not for children! “ What the butler saw”,
But we would sneak back to have a quick peek if we thought they weren’t
looking just to see why we weren’t allowed to look. There
was a Laughing Sailor in a Glass Case which for the princely sum of
1d (½p) would keep roaring with laughter and roll from side
to side. There used to be a candy floss man who used to have a machine
whizzing round ,spinning all the pink sugar into that wonderful fluff.
It
wasn’t until 1968 that the pier was to take on a new look, and
plans were drawn up to provide new buildings and re-develop the amusement
area. And again in 1970,&1990’s Nowadays
the pier is full of the latest electronic amusements, a café,&shops.
To
get there: Approach Paignton from Torquay via A3022 to Manor Cross
traffic lights (Electric light Company on Left facing corner). Turn
left at these lights into Manor Rd, right into Marine Rd. Carry straight
on past Redcliff hotel you will see Paignton Pier directly in front
of you. Any road that leads to Paignton seafront will lead you to
Paignton pier. The Apollo cinema is about 200 yards away.
Parking
is restricted on the promenade to the winter months. Parking can be
found in a Multi Storey Car Park in Queens Rd which runs behind the
Hotels and Clubs on the sea front.
