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Son Of Original Grand Pier Architect Looks Back In Time
21nd August 2008
One reader has a special reason to feel emotional about the Grand Pier fire. John Darby, whose father Nicholas Darby was the architect who designed the most recent pavilion, has expressed his sorrow at the loss of the building. Mr Darby senior was an architect who ran his own company in Weston for many years and lived in the town.
He died in 1969 and at that time was the senior partner of Darby, Rigg and Partners in The Centre.
John wrote to the Weston & Somerset Mercury this week and said: "I would like to congratulate you on your coverage of the Grand Pier Fire in the Mercury.
"Last week we were down in Weston and were able to see the devastation caused by the fire, which was of particularly sadness to me.
"This was probably my father's best-known work and recognised by people worldwide.
"I can recall seeing the drawings in his office in later years and hopefully these have been preserved.
"I can recall my father relating how, following the 1930 fire, he had been working in his office on a Bank Holiday Monday when he was asked to design the new pavilion. "At the time I can remember him saying there was an option to add a conference hall as a second storey. This was never adopted but was very advanced thinking in the 1930s.
"Father's design is no more, but I am delighted to read that it is the intention of the Michael family to rebuild and I would like to wish them well with the project.
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