When the WSM STREETFEST hits town on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September opposite the Tropicana, there will be plenty of scope to show off your dance moves. Even better, the winners of the dance competition will be performing at the opening of Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier in 2010. This exciting prize will bring the winners a huge opportunity to display their talents to a wide audience.
Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have promised a spectacular series of opening events that may last over several weeks. Kerry Michael said: “We are happy to support local talent and showcase it at our opening events. We can certainly give a guarantee that there will be a lot happening on the Grand Pier next summer.”
Britain’s Got Talent 2008 finalist NEMISIS will be performing at the WSM STREETFEST event on both days and there will be the chance to dance alongside them and learn some of their moves.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Angle Ring supplies pipe clamps for Grand Pier
The Angle Ring Company has supplied purpose-made pipe clamps for the repair and refurbishment of the Grand Pier at Weston-Super-Mare.
The pipe clamps, manufactured for use with cast-iron or steel columns of 282-460mm (d), are being used on the cross-leg bracings.
The fabricated Angle Ring products are designed to be more robust and substantial than conventional pipe-clamp products which are available for this purpose.
They have been formed from 20mm mild steel plate, cut to 70 or 75mm widths, and supplied, shaped, drilled and bevelled to contractual requirements.
600 clamps have been supplied to date, with a further 870 on order or in production.
With either two or four clamps required at each clamping point (depending upon the column location), it is anticipated that further clamps will be required to facilitate full completion of repair work, which is designed to provide longevity to the pier, with a target of completion by June 2010.
Source: Manufacturing Talk
The pipe clamps, manufactured for use with cast-iron or steel columns of 282-460mm (d), are being used on the cross-leg bracings.
The fabricated Angle Ring products are designed to be more robust and substantial than conventional pipe-clamp products which are available for this purpose.
They have been formed from 20mm mild steel plate, cut to 70 or 75mm widths, and supplied, shaped, drilled and bevelled to contractual requirements.
600 clamps have been supplied to date, with a further 870 on order or in production.
With either two or four clamps required at each clamping point (depending upon the column location), it is anticipated that further clamps will be required to facilitate full completion of repair work, which is designed to provide longevity to the pier, with a target of completion by June 2010.
Source: Manufacturing Talk
Thursday, 6 August 2009
The contractor to rebuild the new pavilion at Weston-super-Mare’s historic pier has been appointed.
With the piling work now complete and the enabling work to strengthen the pier structure progressing, John Sisk & Son will now start work as soon as possible to restore the historic tourist attraction that was burnt down in a devastating fire on 28 July 2008.
If work runs on schedule, the owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, plan to reopen the pier in June 2010.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “Almost one year on from the fire we’re pleased to have appointed a contractor to rebuild the pavilion. Although the deadlines we have set are very tight I’m hopeful we can get the work complete on time ready for people to enjoy the new pier and all its attractions next summer.
"The Pier is a unique structure and building anything a quarter of a mile out to sea is a challenge for any contractor so we’ve had to be meticulous in our selection. I’m now looking forward to working with the Sisk team and making sure we deliver the World’s greatest pier on time and on budget.
“The aim is to be open at the end of June but if we have good weather this winter there is a chance we could complete earlier, conversely severe weather could still delay the project.”
"The design team have worked diligently and tirelessly to get us to this point so quickly, they have met the very stringent timescales we have set all the way through the project and I am delighted now to have reached the most exciting part when the building begins to take shape.
“I would like to thank everyone on the team for all their efforts to date and I look forward to continuing our work with them to restore this magnificent structure which I hope will be the catalyst for the re-generation of the whole town."
New attractions on the pier will include an 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze, robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian Tea Room and new facilities for younger visitors.
Sisk is a national building contractor with projects throughout the UK. It has its headquarters in Hertfordshire and a regional base in Avonmouth, Bristol. In the UK, Sisk has revenues of over £200 million and a staff of 400 people across its 6 business units.
Paul Wilson, managing director of Sisk said: “It is clear how devastating the fire has been, not just for the Pier but for the people of Weston-super-Mare who must have thought this was the end for their biggest tourist attraction.
“Sisk will restore the excitement and grandeur of the historic Pier but with 21st Century facilities for its visitors. We will use our building expertise on what is a major engineering challenge to rebuild the Grand Pier for the important tourist trade in summer 2010.”
If work runs on schedule, the owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, plan to reopen the pier in June 2010.
Kerry Michael, owner of the pier said: “Almost one year on from the fire we’re pleased to have appointed a contractor to rebuild the pavilion. Although the deadlines we have set are very tight I’m hopeful we can get the work complete on time ready for people to enjoy the new pier and all its attractions next summer.
"The Pier is a unique structure and building anything a quarter of a mile out to sea is a challenge for any contractor so we’ve had to be meticulous in our selection. I’m now looking forward to working with the Sisk team and making sure we deliver the World’s greatest pier on time and on budget.
“The aim is to be open at the end of June but if we have good weather this winter there is a chance we could complete earlier, conversely severe weather could still delay the project.”
"The design team have worked diligently and tirelessly to get us to this point so quickly, they have met the very stringent timescales we have set all the way through the project and I am delighted now to have reached the most exciting part when the building begins to take shape.
“I would like to thank everyone on the team for all their efforts to date and I look forward to continuing our work with them to restore this magnificent structure which I hope will be the catalyst for the re-generation of the whole town."
New attractions on the pier will include an 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze, robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian Tea Room and new facilities for younger visitors.
Sisk is a national building contractor with projects throughout the UK. It has its headquarters in Hertfordshire and a regional base in Avonmouth, Bristol. In the UK, Sisk has revenues of over £200 million and a staff of 400 people across its 6 business units.
Paul Wilson, managing director of Sisk said: “It is clear how devastating the fire has been, not just for the Pier but for the people of Weston-super-Mare who must have thought this was the end for their biggest tourist attraction.
“Sisk will restore the excitement and grandeur of the historic Pier but with 21st Century facilities for its visitors. We will use our building expertise on what is a major engineering challenge to rebuild the Grand Pier for the important tourist trade in summer 2010.”
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Grand Pier - one year on
The first anniversary of the fire that destroyed Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier sees the structural rebuilding work completed and the pier now ready for its new pavilion to be created.
The devastating blaze on the morning of July 28, 2008 will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The pier fire made headlines all around the world with over three million people watching footage of the destruction online.
For pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, the brother and sister who grew up opposite the pier, it was the most devastating day of their lives as they saw their business go up in smoke before their eyes.
Before the fire brigade had finished their work on the pier the owners had pledged that it would be rebuilt.
On the first anniversary that pledge is well on the way to being fulfilled with the completion of major structural and piling work that means the pier structure is now ready for the new pavilion to be created.
Planning permission has been achieved for the new 21st century pier that will reflect the traditions of the old pier and plans are in hand for the pier to reopen in time for the summer 2010 season.
Said Kerry Michael: “The piling work that had to be carried out to enable the new pavilion structure to be supported has now been completed. Work also had to be carried out on some areas of the superstructure that had been damaged by the fire and specialists have had to be sure that we could build the new pavilion on a structure designed 100 years ago.
“It has been a long, tough year and we have not had time to even think about what has been achieved so far. There is a long way to go and we won’t be happy until we open the gates for the first time to the first visitor and Weston has its pier back in place as the main focus of the Sea Front and a major attraction for the whole town.
“For the last few weeks we have been in detailed talks with a number of contractors who have responded to our tender for the main building work. We hope to appoint that contractor very soon and they will be working to a tight timetable.”
Michelle Michael said: “The reaction from the public was overwhelming and so many people have been in touch with us to say how much they love the pier and to say how much they want to see it back.
“They helped us to choose an exciting design for the new pavilion and we have been all over the world looking at rides and attractions for the new pier. There is still a massive amount of work to do but a year on we are well on track to have the best pier in the world opened next summer.”
New attractions on the pier will include a 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian tea room and new facilities for the youngest visitors.
The devastating blaze on the morning of July 28, 2008 will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The pier fire made headlines all around the world with over three million people watching footage of the destruction online.
For pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael, the brother and sister who grew up opposite the pier, it was the most devastating day of their lives as they saw their business go up in smoke before their eyes.
Before the fire brigade had finished their work on the pier the owners had pledged that it would be rebuilt.
On the first anniversary that pledge is well on the way to being fulfilled with the completion of major structural and piling work that means the pier structure is now ready for the new pavilion to be created.
Planning permission has been achieved for the new 21st century pier that will reflect the traditions of the old pier and plans are in hand for the pier to reopen in time for the summer 2010 season.
Said Kerry Michael: “The piling work that had to be carried out to enable the new pavilion structure to be supported has now been completed. Work also had to be carried out on some areas of the superstructure that had been damaged by the fire and specialists have had to be sure that we could build the new pavilion on a structure designed 100 years ago.
“It has been a long, tough year and we have not had time to even think about what has been achieved so far. There is a long way to go and we won’t be happy until we open the gates for the first time to the first visitor and Weston has its pier back in place as the main focus of the Sea Front and a major attraction for the whole town.
“For the last few weeks we have been in detailed talks with a number of contractors who have responded to our tender for the main building work. We hope to appoint that contractor very soon and they will be working to a tight timetable.”
Michelle Michael said: “The reaction from the public was overwhelming and so many people have been in touch with us to say how much they love the pier and to say how much they want to see it back.
“They helped us to choose an exciting design for the new pavilion and we have been all over the world looking at rides and attractions for the new pier. There is still a massive amount of work to do but a year on we are well on track to have the best pier in the world opened next summer.”
New attractions on the pier will include a 90 metre high panoramic tower where up to 40 people at a time can enjoy a ride and spectacular view of the town; a new Fun House; Go-karts; surf board ride; psychedelic experience; Mirror Maze robocoaster and laser room.
Firm favourites, such as dodgems, ghost train and arcade games will be back along with improvements, such as an Edwardian tea room and new facilities for the youngest visitors.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
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.
Chris was selected after the pier owners interviewed several local photographers to find the right one to commission.
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!
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!
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