After a 2 year break, ‘Rock the Pier’ returned to Hythe. This year for the first time in a new location on The Promenade, offering much more room for spectators who had a fine view of the stage from the tiered arena. Looking out onto the waterfront a wonderful vista over Southampton Water encompassing the full 640 meter length of Hythe Pier could be seen.

MC for the day Byron Witchell got the audience warmed up before duo ‘Wire JD’ took the stage, with REM tribute ‘REMbrandt’ next up. Lead singers Sarah and Alli from the Soulcatchers performed next as the duo ‘When Harri Met Alli’ followed by the popular local band Trav Cats. Bob Long played the blues to keep everyone entertained before ‘Soulcatchers’ got the audience up and dancing. Closing the day were local trio ‘The One Offs’. Thanks to all the performers for giving their time for free.

The day was a huge success raising £7000 towards the preservation and restoration of Hythe Pier, from donations, the Grand Draw and our event sponsors The Scratch Project, The Lord Nelson and General Estates. Thanks to all who made ‘Rock the Pier’ happen.

On Saturday May 29th 2021 Hythe Pier Heritage Association were delighted to welcome volunteers, members and visitors to the Pier for the first event in almost 18 months.

Back on Track saw the official launch of the lovingly restored Carriage 4, a very proud moment for HPHA and all those who were involved in the project. The project got under way early in 2020 when the carriage was taken out of service on the pier railway and gifted to HPHA by Lee Rayment of Blue Funnel Ferries. Coinciding with this, HPHA undertook a project with Hythe Primary School which highlighted the plight of the historic railway carriages. The school children wrote 90 letters asking for financial support for the restoration project to Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation followed up by a letter from HPHA. As a consequence a grant for £10,000 was awarded for the project.

The bulk of the work was completed by the members of Hythe Shed (at the Pier) supported by engineers from Blue Funnel and project led by HPHA board member Tina Brown. The restoration included new side frames, new safety glass and period electric lighting plus re-staining of the of the original seating. The restored Carriage 4 is now leased back to the pier operator and is in daily service on the Pier Railway.

Also part of ‘Back on Track’ was a naming ceremony for the railway tractor unit, now named ‘Gerald Yorke’ after the original consultant train engineer. HPHA were honoured to welcome Nigel Hasted and Sarah Richardson, grandchildren of Gerald Yorke, to cut the ribbon at the ceremony.

Hythe came to life over the weekend of 23rd and 24th July to celebrate the centenary of the pier train encompassing the ‘Rock the Pier’ music festival day.

The celebrations started with a short ceremony conducted by HPHA chairman Anthony Smith during which the 16307 locomotive arrived down the pier bang on time to join its visiting sibling loco 16303 (courtesy of the Amberley Museum) at the pier station. A birthday cake was cut and the crowd joined in with a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. While ‘Rock the Pier’ got under way over on the Promenade there was plenty to interest visitors to the pier, including rides on the pier railway and historic Hythe Pier and Ferry artefacts. Adjacent to the pier at the Hythe Shed were exhibits from the Volks Electric Railway in Brighton, and the Romsey Signal Box. Also on display were vintage vehicles from the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and the Waterside Christmas Fire Engine. A short distance away at the Community Centre the Romsey & District Railway Modelers Society set up an exhibition of working model railway layouts.

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.

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.