Now another piece has fallen into the sea. What a great pity after such an impressive history.
Eugenius Birch designed and engineered it. Built in 1866, using dozens of cast iron threaded columns screwed into the seabed, it was unique. The central bandstand was added in 1875 and with the concert hall, building was completed in 1916. A joy to the visitors to Brighton over the years, to promenade, listen to concerts, dance etc.
In later years it was host to the film ‘Oh What a Lovely War’. Our marionettes fe
atured in a tiny part of the film. I am at the end of a conservation process so they can to be put on public view. (Right one of the photos I took at the time of filming. Left BBC South took of the puppet conservation).
But gradually the sea has taken it’s toll, quite apart from the two fires.
Even no
w it’s like visiting an ancient monument, marvelling at it’s architecture and the skill of those who constructed it.
The photos following were taken during the 
clearance after the fire..
Short film and poem I wrote at the time.
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Ann Perrin 