Information Wanted
I have dedicated this page to the History of The Old Pier Tavern, I would like to hear from anyone who has any old pictures, stories and events that includes The Old Pier Tavern. Please send them either by email, post or why dont you pop in and have a chat with Ian as he would like to meet you all to share your stories, and experiences with the community.
We look forward to hearing from you very soon, please read below some clips I have added to the site and I would be happy to add more.
Pier
A 900-foot (274 m) stone pier was constructed in 1858 by the Somerset Central Railway. Soon afterwards, in 1860, a steamer service to Wales was inaugurated, but it was never a commercial success, and ended in 1888. The pier retains its railway lines under a surface coating of concrete.
Lighthouses
Because of its position near the mouth of the River Parrett, and the constantly shifting sands of the Bristol Channel, there has always been a significant risk to shipping in the area. As a result, several lighthouses, have been built.
The original lighthouse, known as the Round Tower, was built after the local vicar, either John Goulden in 1764 or Walter Harris in 1799, raised a subscription amongst the local population to replace the light on the top of St Andrews Church tower. The four-storey Round Tower was built next to the church. It was taken over and improved by Trinity House in 1815,and operated until 1832, following which the top two storeys were removed.
The High Lighthouse
The 110-foot (34 m) pillar or High Lighthouse was designed and built by Joseph Nelson for Trinity House in 1830, and equipped with a paraffin lamp. The ground floor was 5 metres (16 ft) in diameter and the top room 3 metres (9.8 ft). It was automated in 1920. In 1992, it was sold to a member of the Rothschild family, who owned it until 1996, when it was bought at auction by Patrick O'Hagan. Conversion for residential use included the removal of the 6th floor and the construction of stairs where there had previously only been ladders. A Grade II listed building,it is
now available for holiday lets.
The Low Wooden Plie Lighthouse or Lighthouse on legs
was built two years later, also by Joseph Nelson, to complement the High Lighthouse. It is a total of 36 feet (11 m) high, with the light being at 23 feet (7.0 m) above the sand. It stands on nine wooden piers, some with plate metal reinforcement. The structure is whitewashed with a vertical red stripe on the sea side. The lights were inactive between 1969 and 1993, but were recommissioned when the High Lighthouse lights were permanently deactivated. They have a focal plane of 7 metres (23 ft) and provide a white flash every 7.5 seconds, plus a directional light (white, red, or green depending on direction) at a focal plane of 4 metres (13 ft).
We look forward to hearing from you very soon, please read below some clips I have added to the site and I would be happy to add more.
Pier
A 900-foot (274 m) stone pier was constructed in 1858 by the Somerset Central Railway. Soon afterwards, in 1860, a steamer service to Wales was inaugurated, but it was never a commercial success, and ended in 1888. The pier retains its railway lines under a surface coating of concrete.
Lighthouses
Because of its position near the mouth of the River Parrett, and the constantly shifting sands of the Bristol Channel, there has always been a significant risk to shipping in the area. As a result, several lighthouses, have been built.
The original lighthouse, known as the Round Tower, was built after the local vicar, either John Goulden in 1764 or Walter Harris in 1799, raised a subscription amongst the local population to replace the light on the top of St Andrews Church tower. The four-storey Round Tower was built next to the church. It was taken over and improved by Trinity House in 1815,and operated until 1832, following which the top two storeys were removed.
The High Lighthouse
The 110-foot (34 m) pillar or High Lighthouse was designed and built by Joseph Nelson for Trinity House in 1830, and equipped with a paraffin lamp. The ground floor was 5 metres (16 ft) in diameter and the top room 3 metres (9.8 ft). It was automated in 1920. In 1992, it was sold to a member of the Rothschild family, who owned it until 1996, when it was bought at auction by Patrick O'Hagan. Conversion for residential use included the removal of the 6th floor and the construction of stairs where there had previously only been ladders. A Grade II listed building,it is
now available for holiday lets.
The Low Wooden Plie Lighthouse or Lighthouse on legs
was built two years later, also by Joseph Nelson, to complement the High Lighthouse. It is a total of 36 feet (11 m) high, with the light being at 23 feet (7.0 m) above the sand. It stands on nine wooden piers, some with plate metal reinforcement. The structure is whitewashed with a vertical red stripe on the sea side. The lights were inactive between 1969 and 1993, but were recommissioned when the High Lighthouse lights were permanently deactivated. They have a focal plane of 7 metres (23 ft) and provide a white flash every 7.5 seconds, plus a directional light (white, red, or green depending on direction) at a focal plane of 4 metres (13 ft).