Grand Pier Latest News
Photographer to Chronicle Pier Reconstruction
11th June 2009
West Country photographer Chris Abbott has been given the task of recording the rebuilding of Weston's Grand Pier for posterity and appointed as the official photographer of the rebuild.
Chris, from Somerset, will be chronicling work on the £34 million reconstruction stage by stage until its completion in 2010.
He will be given unique access to the site by pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael to create a documentary record of the work.
"I feel very privileged to be involved in this historic project. It's not everyone who gets to photograph a phoenix as she rises from the ashes."
Chris was selected after the pier owners interviewed several local photographers to find the right one to commission.
Michelle Michael said: "We simply liked Chris' work. We wanted someone that would capture the atmosphere of the rebuild as it is an event that will only happen once and we know that images will be so important to future generations."
"During the rebuild there may be opportunities to take pictures that people will be proud to hang on their wall as art and there will be events that show the people, equipment and work methods used."
"He has already captured some stunning images that show the massive piles that are being driven into the sea bed. This is the only time these will be seen on the surface and the pictures capture the scale of the work."
Work to rebuild the pier is on target with support piles for the attraction's new 85 metre observation tower currently being driven into the sea bed
Father of two Chris, who studied photography at Bridgwater College, launched his business Chris Abbott Photography two years ago.
To find out more about Chris Abbott's work visit:
www.chrisabbottphotography.com
This is just a preview of Chris' work so far on the Pier, stay tuned for new photos of the latest building work!
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A huge collection of the Grand Pier's history was lost in the Pavilion fire and we would like replace as much as we can. If you have any pictures, stories or memorabilia regarding the Grand Pier, old or new we would be extremely grateful if you could get in touch. Please call or email us via the contact page.