Photographer to Chronicle Pier Reconstruction

West Country photographer Chris Abbott has been given the task of recording the rebuilding of Weston's Grand Pier for posterity and appointed as the official photographer of the rebuild.

Chris, from Somerset, will be chronicling work on the £34 million reconstruction stage by stage until its completion in 2010.

He will be given unique access to the site by pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael to create a documentary record of the work.

"I feel very privileged to be involved in this historic project. It's not everyone who gets to photograph a phoenix as she rises from the ashes."

Chris was selected after the pier owners interviewed several local photographers to find the right one to commission.

Michelle Michael said: "We simply liked Chris' work. We wanted someone that would capture the atmosphere of the rebuild as it is an event that will only happen once and we know that images will be so important to future generations.

"During the rebuild there may be opportunities to take pictures that people will be proud to hang on their wall as art and there will be events that show the people, equipment and work methods used.

"He has already captured some stunning images that show the massive piles that are being driven into the sea bed. This is the only time these will be seen on the surface and the pictures capture the scale of the work."

Work to rebuild the pier is on target with support piles for the attraction's new 85 metre observation tower currently being driven into the sea bed.

Father of two Chris, who studied photography at Bridgwater College, launched his business Chris Abbott Photography two years ago.


To find out more about Chris Abbott's work visit:
www.chrisabbottphotography.com


This is just a preview of Chris' work so far on the Pier, stay tuned for new photos of the latest building work!

Grand Pier rebuild back on track!

North Somerset Council and the Grand Pier Company have reached an agreement on a number of issues related to the redevelopment of the attraction.

Since last week when news first broke that there was a problem, the two sides have met every day and negotiated an agreement that means the £34million project will continue in earnest.

Grand Pier co-owner, Kerry Michael said: "We are grateful to the Leader of the Council who personally took control of the negotiations. We have worked through the issues to reach a solution which is acceptable to all. Once the key decision makers were all together, we very quickly reached agreement and after that it was just a matter of putting the relevant professionals together to formalise the agreement.

“All we want to do is to get on with the re-building of the Grand Pier, a project which we hope will be the catalyst for the continuing regeneration of the town."

Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, added: "Following the fire last year which destroyed the pavilion we have worked closely with the owners and will continue to offer our support to them in their efforts to re-build the attraction."

This means that work on the redevelopment of the Pier can progress as planned and on time in accordance with the original completion date of summer 2010.

North Somerset Council and the pier owners both remain fully committed to the redevelopment of this important landmark site.


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Additionally, we would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support of we have had on our Facebook page, in emails via our web site and also letters received over the last few days.