We were very proud to welcome HRH the Duke of Gloucester to Hythe Pier on 2^nd October 2024.

The Duke, who has a keen interest in architecture had kindly offered to open the newly restored platform and associated tracks.

The visit commenced with his Royal Highness being introduced to restoration volunteers from HPHA and Hythe Shed (at the Pier), members of Hythe Ferry staff and local councillors.

The Duke was then escorted to the pier workshop where ferry engineers and Hythe Shed (at the Pier) volunteers were able to explain the carriage and tractor restoration work undertaken there.

Outside the workshop HPHA board member, John Goddard (CEng) explained the work involved in the station restoration project which initially necessitated structural work to take the load off decaying Victorian beams.

His Royal Highness was then taken around to the ticket office and he stepped up onto the new platform for the opening ceremony. After a short speech the Duke duly cut the ribbon to applause from a group of invited guests and the new Hythe Pier station was officially open.

The Duke then boarded the Pier train to travel to the seaward end of the Pier.

Waiting with a warm welcome in the waiting room were a group of pupils and staff from Hythe Primary School. They explained the part they played with the initial fundraising for Carriage 4 restoration which involved them writing letters to the Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation.

Before the Duke of Gloucester’s departure, he chatted with invited guests and was given a presentation piece of the original pier railway track as a memento of his visit.

The 2024 Heritage Day got under way with a gathering in rather ‘damp’ conditions at the newly refurbished station platform for the naming of the second (16302) tractor unit, it’s restoration now nearing completion.

Chairman of HPHA, Anthony Smith introduced Jo Shields, daughter of Edward Fort, the chairman of the Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation, who have provided much of the funding for our restoration projects. Jo cut the ribbon to officially name the unit ‘Edward Fort’ in his honour. Even with rain drops running down its new green livery, it was a splendid sight.

The Shed itself was open with various display items and Shed volunteers were more than happy to talk about the railway carriage restoration work undertaken there. Historian Marc Heighway also gave a fascinating talk.

On the quayside an avenue of gazebos housed a ‘pop-up’ café, the HPHA merchandise stall, book stall and other attractions.

Youngsters could search for various hidden nautical flags to complete the children’s trail.

New Forest Brass provided a musical accompaniment throughout proceedings to keep spirits high.

Thank-you to all the bands who gave their time for free.

HPHA would like to say thankyou to all our volunteers and those who worked hard to organise and run Rock the Pier.

Right next to the pier the ‘Hythe Shed at the Pier’ welcomed visitors and there was a model railway display and large scale model trains courtesy of Exbury Railway. Vintage vehicles were also exhibited at the event.

The Dutton amphibious car offered rides to give visitors the opportunity to take to the water.

An avenue of gazebo’s housed a variety of stalls including HPHA Merchandise, Book and Toy stalls, Teddy Tombola, Simon Chadwick Cartooning, and a ‘pop-up’ café provided much needed refreshments.

With great thanks to our event sponsors,

. . . . and all who attended, making the day a huge success.

Just over £3000 was raised to support the work of HPHA to preserve and restore Hythe’s historic Pier and Railway.

Photographs courtesy of John Greenwood, Elliott Hunter Photography and Tina Brown.