News

We’re delighted to welcome Professor Michael Farthing, previously Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, as new Chairman of the West Pier Trust.  Professor Michael Farthing has a distinguished background in medicine, both as a physician and an academic, in a career spanning more than 30 years. Before moving to Sussex he was Principal of ... Read more

A multimedia installation examining the legacy of the West Pier is currently in progress, which asks – How do places survive through stories? And what if we could, collectively, decide how the West Pier will be remembered? A site-specific immersive installation, the work aims to create a debate around the construction of a legacy for a place ... Read more

Work is underway for the development of a new promenade space which celebrates the West Pier and its history. Opening this summer, the site, which lies east of BAi360, will feature a ‘Golden Spiral’ made up of salvaged West Pier columns.  Once restored, an original 1866 West Pier kiosk will also become a key feature of the scheme. ... Read more

Sussex doctor Katie Fraser has won medals for sea swimming and will happily take the plunge all year round, even when temperatures drop below freezing. A self-confessed West Pier obsessive, she describes swimming by the pier as haunting, and yet hands down her favourite spot to swim.  I find swimming is the only way to relax ... Read more

For years I have wanted to witness a starling murmuration. Having recently moved to Berkshire, my wife and I have spent a fair amount of time exploring the South coast. Of course I had seen the impressive videos of Starlings performing amazing aerobatic displays through the sky and I had a few ideas of how I ... Read more

We caught up with Nick Crane to talk about his role as President of the Royal Geographical Society, his connection with Sussex and the south coast, and his latest best-selling book, The Making of the British Landscape. What inspired you to write The Making of the British Landscape and how long did it take to write?  NC: ... Read more

David Marks always seems very relaxed for a man with a large amount of money tied up in the ambitious, controversial and previously untried scheme that is the British Airways i360. But he and Julia Barfield, his wife and partner in Marks Barfield Architects, have the track record that justifies his confidence. They redefined the ... Read more

On the anniversary of the West Pier’s opening on the 6th October, celebrations began at sunset with an illumination of the pier and an unveiling of a 150th birthday cake, created by Great British Bake Off contestant and Brighton resident, Kate Henry. Watch the toll Booth’s sugared castings take shape in below.   Celebrations continue in ... Read more

Sal Wilson, the Trust’s deputy vice-chair, brings practical skills and a commitment to the city of Brighton & Hove to our board of directors. And although she no longer lives within sight of the Pier, she is now directly involved with plans for its future. “I lived in Brighton for over 25 years and could see ... Read more

David Marks and Julia Barfield discuss combining historic and futuristic design in their journey to create a vertical pier for the 21st century. In conversation with Fred Gray, Honorary Historian of the West Pier Trust. Buy your tickets now for the 10th October  

It’s been a busy August with the opening of BA i360.  Here’s a round up of events and news of the events planned around the 150th anniversary of the opening of the West Pier.  Click the link

Stanley and Diane Watson were regular performers at the theatre. Their last summer season show was around 1969/70. They where called ‘Magic’s Royal Couple’ because Stanley used to eat light bulbs off a replica of the coronation Crown, then brought them out of his mouth on a string lit up! He also floated the Royal ... Read more