The centenary of Burnham-On-Sea’s pier is to be marked next year with a number of celebrations, its owners have announced this week.
Burnham’s Pavilion, which is widely regarded as being Britain’s shortest pier, will hold several events to mark its 100th anniversary since opening.
Owner Louise Parkin, right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We want to mark the centenary of this much-loved building in style next Spring.”
“We’re planning several events when residents and visitors will be encouraged to get involved.”
She added: “We are interested to hear from local families who have relatives celebrating their 100th birthday next year. We’d love to get as many of them along to join the celebrations as possible.”
“Also, we’re very keen to find out more about the pier’s history. There are many theories on why it was built – including that it was a ‘showroom’ to display the concrete and steel workmanship and, alternatively, that it was actually second-hand and came from Scotland.”
“We are especially interested in seeing any early photographs of the original opening back in 1914.”
Records show the Edwardian pier was built between 1911 and 1914 and was the first concrete structure of its kind in Europe. It is built of granite chippings brought from Penryn in Cornwall.
