Blog – Page 2 – Hythe Pier Heritage Association

Rock the Pier 2022.

Hythe’s annual music festival day took place again on The Promenade adjacent to the waterfront and offering wonderful views of Hythe Pier. This year taking place as part of the ‘Rock the Train’ weekend, celebrating the centenary of Hythe Pier Railway.

A packed audience were able to enjoy the good weather and great music. Getting the show off to a rocking start at 12.45 were popular local band Trav Cats. Continuing the entertainment were Wire J-D, MagiKats, REMbrandt, When Harri met Alli before the ever popular Soulcatchers closed the day at 7.30pm. Thankyou to all our performers for giving their time for free. Spectators were also able to purchase HPHA merchandise and find out more about the project to preserve and restore Hythe Pier at the HPHA info stand. The event, organised and run by volunteers, raised nearly £8000 from donations, the Grand draw, merchandise and sponsorship.

Heritage Day 2018 – Saturday 27th October

A day of family fun, games and learning to celebrate the heritage of Hythe’s historic pier.

Ask the Expert with Alan Titheridge author of ‘Hythe Pier and Ferry – A History’ who has a huge wealth of knowledge on everything connected to the Ferries and Pier.

Music at the entrance to the Pier from New Forest Brass Training Band, Rock Choir and Waterside Community Choir.

Pop Up Cafe at the end of the Pier offering teas, coffees and delicious home-made cakes and great views over Southampton Water.

A chance to tour the train workshop and understand how the Hythe Pier Railway has been kept running for nearly 100 years.

Project 02 – Services survey of the pier

Ramboll was commissioned to examine the existing services to the Hythe Pier and to conduct a feasibility study into the renovation of the pier buildings, land and shore side. This feasibility study will look at the existing services provided, utilities infrastructure and what new services will be provided in the renovation of the Pier and its intended new use.

Statistics

Project Funding Organisations

This project was fully funded by HPHA from donations made by the Hythe community.

Project 01 – Initial survey of the pier

Ramboll was appointed to carry out an inspection of the pier to determine its structural arrangement and general condition. This was a high-level inspection, providing general observations and preliminary recommendations. The objectives of the inspection were to gain an initial idea of the current operational adequacy of the pier, identify any major defects and form an initial schedule of repairs.

Statistics

Project Funding Organisations

This project was fully funded by HPHA from donations made by the Hythe community.

One step closer to restoring Hythe Pier

In an exciting new development, we have started working on the south side building on Hythe’s Victorian Pier (built in 1894) to prevent further deterioration. Although this work is a temporary fix, it offers provisional protection to prevent further damage while plans are put in place and funding raised for a permanent restoration in the near future.

The temporary works being undertaken by DPB Contractors over the next three weeks include: removal and disposal of the internal asbestos sheeting; installation of guttering and battens and protective Perspex sheeting along the south elevation walls; and repairs to the glazing, internal flooring and lead roof.

Rich history of the south side

The building on the south side of the pier head was built in 1894 and extended in 1896 when that on the north side was erected. In 1894 the tenant of the south side building, the Hythe Sailing Club, used their clubhouse as dressing rooms for members.

At the outbreak of WWI in 1914, the Hythe Sailing Club handed their clubhouse over to the authorities for use in the war effort. The club declined to take up its option of re-occupation at the end of the war, so the premises were let to the YMCA. During 1921, the Royal Motor Yacht Club took up residence and immediately set about an extensive modernisation. Work was completed in March 1922 and the building was made up of “comfortable and roomy quarters”, including a large dining room, galley, bar, four berth sleeping cabins and a bathroom.

From the early 1950s until the mid-1970s the building was home to a restaurant. What will it be next? This is a very exciting thought and hopefully soon new life will be breathed into the building and it will take on another transformation.

(picture courtesy of Gary Woletz)