Grand Pier Latest News
Grand Pier museum exhibit
11th August 2008
PARTS of Weston's Grand Pier could soon be exhibited in a new display at North Somerset Museum. Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, are in talks with the museum's manager to see whether scorched pillars and parts of the structure could be viewed in a special exhibition.
The museum in Burlington Street, Weston, already boasts a seaside holidays display, complete with a Punch and Judy stand, which was used at Buckingham Palace, a turnstile from Clevedon Pier, a donkey-pulled carriage from the 19th century and amusement machines from the Grand Pier itself.
Manager Nick Goff said: "We have a haunted house machine and an American execution machine that date back to the very early days of the Grand Pier.
"It would be great to get some more of the Grand Pier featured but nothing concrete has been sorted out yet.
"It will take a lot of work because we cannot simply dump a lot of items in a room. We will have to consider carefully how it would work.
"The museum's job is to tell the story of North Somerset including all its history, and obviously the fire last week is going to be a major part of that story.
"I am hoping to meet with Michelle later this week and hopefully we will confirm more about a new exhibition."
Speaking to the Weston & Somerset Mercury this week, Michelle Michael, who bought the pier with her brother Kerry in February, said: "Once the fire investigators have finished, we are hoping to perhaps get one of the pillars from the pier removed and taken to the museum.
"We also have some of the older machines in a warehouse and a lot of older engineering equipment, which could be included in a museum display.
"Some of the older slot machines are lovely and it would be nice give them a home where people can see them.
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Pictures, stories, memorabilia, ideas?
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.