A lot of people in my old home town of Weston-super-Mare are doing their bit to highlight the plight of the resort’s magnificent ‘Old Pier” at Birnbeck Island.
This grade 2 structure – the only pier in the country which links the mainland to an island – was opened in 1867.
I well remember many a rush down its planks to board one of the Campbell steamers that took us kids down to Ilfracombe for a Knickerbocker Glory on that exotic Devon resort’s sea front.
The pier has been closed to the public since 1994 and is now on the Buildings at Risk Register. A seemingly ‘poison-chalice’ that no one wants to dig deep enough into their pockets to save.
I have had a note from musician/singer/composer Barry Walsh to tell me he’s written a song about this much-neglected ‘pier of our realm’ and l am delighted to give you the link to it on YouTube.
Barry performed as a solo singer in Bristol before embarking on songwriting. He formed the Barry Walsh Band in 2010 and continues to be a prolific writer of catchy country songs and songs about the Bristol area.
Here’s the link to ‘Save Me’. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G5hLhIn5714#
If you would like to volunteer to help in any way, or donate, sponsor a plaque-seat-lamp or would like to find out more information please check out the trusts website http://www.birnbeckregenerationtrust.org.uk. Thank you