Grand Pier Latest News
Pier model goes on display
13th November 2008
A scale model of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare before the devastating fire that destroyed the historic pavilion has today gone on display at the town’s museum.
The 1/125th model created by Scale Models Weston of Alfred Street, Weston-super-Mare has been partly paid for by public donations after the tragic fire of July 28th.
It shows the complete pier, including the shore-side buildings and the waist as it was the day before the fire – complete with flags flying and fairground rides.
Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael commissioned the model as a permanent memorial of the 104-year-old pavilion and it has now taken pride of place in a special museum exhibition of the history of the pier and the fire.
Said Kerry Michael: “Many people wanted to make some sort of donation after the fire and following consultation with our insurers, we felt the best thing to do would be to create this fantastic model which will remain as a lasting memorial to the old Pavilion.
“The model is stunning and we have to congratulate the model-makers on their skill and the way they have produced such a fascinating memorial in just eight weeks.
“In common with everyone else with a love of Weston-super-Mare I still can’t believe the pavilion has gone each time I go on to the sea front. This model will capture the magic of the past and serves as a reminder of how we have to ensure that the replacement has that same magic.”
The model is four metres long and 0.8 metres wide. It is made from a variety of materials, including teak, acrylics, brass and plastic by the skilled model-makers, whose normal commissions are ships and architectural models.
Matt Cole of Scale Models Weston said: “This is one of the biggest models we have ever created in our 35-year history. We took thousands of photographs of the parts of the pier that are intact and went on numerous visits to see its structure.
“Thankfully there were hundreds of photographs of the old pavilion, some taken just a few days before, so we used these to research the pavilion, along with architectural drawings that were also available.”
Six model makers worked on the project. Alongside Matt Cole were Peter Flint, Stuart May, Julian Hurman, Dave Ansell and Ciaran Welsh who all made parts of the model that was then assembled into one large display.
The model was handed over to North Somerset Councillor Ian Porter for safe keeping and will stay on display at Weston Museum for the next two years when it is hoped it will be given a new home in the new pavilion.
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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.