In this, a companion volume to his definitive
history of Yorkshire s pleasure piers, Martin Easdown turns his expert attention
westward to the Lancashire coast. His highly illustrated survey of the piers
constructed at famous resorts like Blackpool, Morecambe, Southport and St
Annes-on-Sea celebrates structures that are among the most exuberant and evocative
of the Victorian age. Each of these historic piers has its own character and story,
yet all of them represent the optimistic style of the British seaside resort at the
peak of its popularity. In those days the Lancashire coast, and Blackpool in
particular, became the principal holiday destination for the workers of the nearby
industrial towns during their Wakes Weeks. The piers that survive are fascinating
relics of that lost age. In this meticulously researched account, Martin Easdown
describes how these extraordinary buildings came to be constructed, how they were
designed and financed, how they were used, and how hazards beset them fire, storm,
ship collision, war damage and ever-present threat of insolvency. His entertaining
book reveals and records a neglected aspect of the history of Lancashire and the
northwest.
The Author
Martin Easdown is a leading authority on the history of the seaside pleasure
pier and one of the country s leading collectors of pier related photographs
and other historical material. A member of the National Piers Society for
twenty years, Martin edited the Society s journal Piers for six years and has
held the post of archivist since 1994. He has previously written six other
books about piers and regularly assists the media, pier owners, heritage
bodies, students and the general public with their historical enquires
regarding piers. His most recent publication on the subject is Yorkshire s
Seaside Piers
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