News

Members, Friends and Supporters As I write these words, I realise that it is over a month since we all retreated into splendid isolation. Thus, although our activities have been significantly curtailed, and sadly we have had to close the West Pier Centre on Brighton’s West Beach, West Pier Trust’s Executive Committee has continued to ... Read more

FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S ADVICE WE HAVE REGRETTABLY DECIDED TO CANCEL THIS TALK. WE HOPE TO RESCHEDULE IT AT A LATER DATE. Volk’s Electric Railway is a familiar sight running along the beach from near the Palace Pier towards the Marina, but the story of the man behind it is less well known.   Magnus Volk ... Read more

Led by Sarah Tobias, WPT is offering its first study day. We will study social, cultural, local and West Pier history, characters and events – all drawn from Patrick Hamilton’s excellent novel, followed by tea or/and cocktails at the Hotel Metropole. The morning session will be followed by a short seafront tour. Bring a packed ... Read more

    Our next talk on the 27th February at West Pier Centre is with Sarah Tobias. Sarah will explore the history and importance of parks and green spaces from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries and discover some of Brighton and Hove’s parks as well as unknown, hidden gardens. Book here via Eventbrite. Ticket includes a ... Read more

From luxury lodgings to gorgeous grandiose Since the town’s emergence as an exclusive resort in the 18th century, Brighton’s visitors have required accommodation. In the early days the nobility and gentry leased their newly erected houses to friends and acquaintances for the ‘season’, but increasing visitor numbers led to the growth of commercial ventures, and ... Read more

Born and educated in Trinidad W.I., Susan moved to the UK aged  23. She currently lives in Farnham, Surrey. ‘I always wished I had learned batik at high school…I loved the imperfect marks the method offers, and the colours of the Caribbean are second to none.’ says Susan. Some 40  years after leaving High School ... Read more

Charis Williams is  The Salvage Sister from BBC1’s ‘Getting the Builders in’,  presenter from Channel 4’s ‘Fill Your House for Free’ and UKTV’s ‘The New Reclaimers’. She’s a Designer and Metalworker who loves to create unusual, quality homewares with salvaged items. Recently, she was contacted by a client who had bought a cast iron seat-back from ... Read more

Lost Theatres of Brighton  is about the buildings, stars and shows of the eleven full-sized, purpose built-theatres Brighton has had over the years, only two of which survive. Chris Horlock, historian and author will also cover the West Pier theatre, Hippodrome, Essoldo, Palace Pier theatre and the Grand. Tickets should be purchased in advance and ... Read more

Sadly, we all know that the skeletal remains of Brighton’s West Pier will not be there forever, but what we can preserve are all those special memories and stories of Brighton’s most famous landmark. The West Pier Trust is working on a new initiative; a short film portraying your memories and stories in order to ... Read more

The very different and iconic style that emerged after WW1; the Modern Movement or ‘moderne’ style, later known as ‘Art Deco’ was brought to prominence by the Paris Exposition of Decorative Art in 1925 and lasted approximately twenty years. It was based on classical and other styles, including Egyptian, Arts & Crafts, Chinoiserie, Art Nouveau, ... Read more

The amazing Alej ez exhibition has just opened at the West Pier Centre Fri-Mon 11-5pm until January 2020. Don’t miss it! Free Admission. Prints/Cards for sale. Alej ez trained as an architect at the Universidad de Sevilla, Born in Granada, Spain he later moved to London where he worked for architects  Rick Mather and MSMR. ... Read more

September’s talk given by Jackie Marsh Hobbs is on the History of Brighton Palace Pier. The Brighton Marine Palace and Pier Company aimed to build a people’s palace above the sea, with the first pile being driven into the seabed on the 7th November 1891. The new pier opened on the 20th of May 1899; ... Read more