In 1967/8 I used to operate a childrens roundabout by the old pier head station. I was a student at the time . Was so saddened by the fires that a few years later destroyed that area. The cafe where my Mum worked and the rock stall/souvenir shop where I also made about 4000 candyflosses. Thanks for your video. It brought a tear or two to my eyes.
Thanks for a brilliant video. I live in Leigh On Sea and this brought back so many memories of my late wife and me spending time on the pier. My Daughter did a school project on the pier years ago (my wife did it really) . So many memories.
Apologies for not responding sooner, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for the kind words, we are lucky to have the heritage on our door steps, if only the Kursal was still there.
Great video. As you mention, an hour or two spent at the end of the pier is a relaxing experience, especially on a sunny day. Plenty of fresh air as well! I well remember some of the pier fires, especially the one in October 2005. I was on the pier early in the afternoon and set of on a one way trip up to London on the Waverley paddle steamer. The coach brought us back from London and as it was driving along the seafront, we were surprised to see that the pier head had caught fire.
Apologies for not responding sooner, wow that's a story to see the pier on fire is one thing but to know you were there earlier wow. I keep looking at the Waverly trips I really would really like to do that I think they planning excursions for next summer, I will look into it. The end of the pier is truly wonderful but I will pick a warmer day next time, anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
@@dustyshelfcollectables Thanks. The Waverley usually comes late September to mid October. The other thing I remember about that day was being disappointed that I lost a pound coin out of my pocket and it rolled and then fell between the pier boards and into the water. It will probably be rediscovered in a few hundred years and be worth a lot of money for somebody!
That is a really good piece of work mate. These historical records that we are creating are not only interesting now but will become invaluable resources in later years to come. Super stuff
Wow brought back memories of my youth. Lived in Leigh but spent many a night hanging round the seafront and pier. I remember the day the bowling alley burnt down as if it was yesterday
so please to bring back the memories, The pier bowling was always a birthday treat, do you recall the waxworks in the ship? Anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
Nice to see the museum featured - until recently, photography wasn't allowed in there. It is accessible by arrangement for those who can't manage the stairs. if you ask at the desk, there are old coins available to play the machines too! Thanks for filming and sharing.
It was my first visit to the museum, a fantastic attraction. I did ask if I could film, but there is so much more to see in there, I only caught the larger items.
Brilliant video Matt with loads of information. Stayed in a B&B in Southend and convinced my work colleague that we could see France, gullible or what?
The pier is a mile and a 1/3 in length, you used to get ferries to Margate and Ramsgate during the season from the lower deck right at the end, I remember the old green and gold livery before the newer blue trains
I don't recall the older liveries, Id like to get a bout from the end one day, believe its on the the Waverly paddle steamer these days, anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
Well, this pier had some storied past, and it is odd that it seemed to have had more damage during peace time from a tanker than during the war years. It does seem prone to major fires and makes me wonder if insurance claims may be the culprit, lol. I imagine the new train had a brake problem or operator error, but I think the old train added to the enjoyment. The pier is still standing after one tanker and a barge now if the pier can withstand the Dusty shelf will see, lol. I knew when I see the mirrors you would avoid them at all costs as would I, lol. Great video, Jersey Bill
Its been hit many more times than I mentioned in the video and several fires, such a shame to see the new train damaged so soon, I don't think its a year old yet. As for the mirrors - you know me well!
I just hope the driver was ok, must have been a shock. Thanks for watching and sharing the fishing and bowling i think all kid in Essex did that at some point.
Apologies for not responding sooner, I was shocked by the damage, but thankfully so I read no one was seriously inured. I am sure a repair will be done soon and back in service ASAP. Thansk for watching and taking the time comment.
I remember being able to go down there in my early teens. There was also a hole in the fence where you could sneak through and explore the burnt out bits. That probably wasn't the safest thing for my teenage self to have done...
Apologies for not responding sooner, I don't recall the red trains but then to be fair we were there with the kids back in the day so we spent time in the amusement park. Anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
In 1967/8 I used to operate a childrens roundabout by the old pier head station. I was a student at the time . Was so saddened by the fires that a few years later destroyed that area. The cafe where my Mum worked and the rock stall/souvenir shop where I also made about 4000 candyflosses. Thanks for your video. It brought a tear or two to my eyes.
Thanks so much for sharing, story's like this make the channel worth while, thank you.
Thanks for a brilliant video. I live in Leigh On Sea and this brought back so many memories of my late wife and me spending time on the pier. My Daughter did a school project on the pier years ago (my wife did it really) . So many memories.
Apologies for not responding sooner, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for the kind words, we are lucky to have the heritage on our door steps, if only the Kursal was still there.
Great video. As you mention, an hour or two spent at the end of the pier is a relaxing experience, especially on a sunny day. Plenty of fresh air as well!
I well remember some of the pier fires, especially the one in October 2005. I was on the pier early in the afternoon and set of on a one way trip up to London on the Waverley paddle steamer. The coach brought us back from London and as it was driving along the seafront, we were surprised to see that the pier head had caught fire.
Apologies for not responding sooner, wow that's a story to see the pier on fire is one thing but to know you were there earlier wow. I keep looking at the Waverly trips I really would really like to do that I think they planning excursions for next summer, I will look into it. The end of the pier is truly wonderful but I will pick a warmer day next time, anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
@@dustyshelfcollectables Thanks. The Waverley usually comes late September to mid October. The other thing I remember about that day was being disappointed that I lost a pound coin out of my pocket and it rolled and then fell between the pier boards and into the water. It will probably be rediscovered in a few hundred years and be worth a lot of money for somebody!
That is a really good piece of work mate. These historical records that we are creating are not only interesting now but will become invaluable resources in later years to come. Super stuff
Apologies for not responding sooner, Many thanks for your kind words! I agree that we are recoding for the future, I have subscribed.
@@dustyshelfcollectables Many thanks my friend. Don't worry about a late reply. Running a channel takes a lot of time
Wow brought back memories of my youth. Lived in Leigh but spent many a night hanging round the seafront and pier. I remember the day the bowling alley burnt down as if it was yesterday
so please to bring back the memories, The pier bowling was always a birthday treat, do you recall the waxworks in the ship? Anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
@ yes the golden hind 😂
Good to see, i last went on this about 62 years ago.
Many thanks for watching, I guess a few changes over the 62 years, no pirate ship or bowling ally at the shore end for a start.
Nice to see the museum featured - until recently, photography wasn't allowed in there. It is accessible by arrangement for those who can't manage the stairs. if you ask at the desk, there are old coins available to play the machines too! Thanks for filming and sharing.
It was my first visit to the museum, a fantastic attraction. I did ask if I could film, but there is so much more to see in there, I only caught the larger items.
Brilliant video Matt with loads of information.
Stayed in a B&B in Southend and convinced my work colleague that we could see France, gullible or what?
you are very kind Fred, hope to see you soon! I still try to convince the kids its France.
The pier is a mile and a 1/3 in length, you used to get ferries to Margate and Ramsgate during the season from the lower deck right at the end, I remember the old green and gold livery before the newer blue trains
I don't recall the older liveries, Id like to get a bout from the end one day, believe its on the the Waverly paddle steamer these days, anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
The Royal Daffodil was the ship London to Southend and return.
Well, this pier had some storied past, and it is odd that it seemed to have had more damage during peace time from a tanker than during the war years. It does seem prone to major fires and makes me wonder if insurance claims may be the culprit, lol. I imagine the new train had a brake problem or operator error, but I think the old train added to the enjoyment. The pier is still standing after one tanker and a barge now if the pier can withstand the Dusty shelf will see, lol. I knew when I see the mirrors you would avoid them at all costs as would I, lol. Great video, Jersey Bill
Its been hit many more times than I mentioned in the video and several fires, such a shame to see the new train damaged so soon, I don't think its a year old yet. As for the mirrors - you know me well!
@@dustyshelfcollectables About the mirrors, LOL
That driver had one job...
Used to fish from this pier as kid. Also used to go bowling on the pier.
I just hope the driver was ok, must have been a shock. Thanks for watching and sharing the fishing and bowling i think all kid in Essex did that at some point.
I’ve been on the new Southend Pier train and it’s not nice seeing one of those new trains that has a minor accident.
Apologies for not responding sooner, I was shocked by the damage, but thankfully so I read no one was seriously inured. I am sure a repair will be done soon and back in service ASAP. Thansk for watching and taking the time comment.
@@dustyshelfcollectablesNo worries 😊
The Busselton jetty in Western Australia is the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere
I looked it up, just a little shorter - but nicer weather! Thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
Can you still go down to the lower deck at the pier head, that's where I used to catch eels and my record 12lb tope
Visitors are restricted to the main deck these days - you can see the state of the steps in this video!
@mikehebdentrains thank you, I've not been to the pier since about 1987 so things change, for the worse
Thanks for watching both, yes the steps are closed and in need of some TLC.
I remember being able to go down there in my early teens. There was also a hole in the fence where you could sneak through and explore the burnt out bits. That probably wasn't the safest thing for my teenage self to have done...
In the 1960s I found the 2nd shelter the best for fishing when the tide started coming in, Eels were a nuisance but plenty of nice size dabs
In 2005 you missed out there was an Arcade aswell at the pier head station aswell.
Apologies for not responding sooner, I wasn't aware of the arcade thanks for pointing that out and many thanks for watching.
It's certainly had a very 'eventful' life. One wonders what's next!
Hi Sorry for not responding sooner, hopefully less drama! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Used to go fishing with my Dad when I were a lad at the end of the `pier . Well my Dad did the fishing and I stayed in the cafe . Good ti ex.
Thanks for sharing its nice to hear the stories and many thanks for watching.
How is the electric power supplied?
I believe the new locos are battery, I saw what I believed to be chargers in the station. Anyway may thanks for watching.
When was this recorded, I had no idea one of them was still going
Apologies for not responding sooner, recorded a couple of weeks ago, still going and worth a visit. Many thanks for watching.
How come buffers weren't incorporated into the design, or a least a center buffer? That would have made this incident a non-event.
Very true! now you point it out I am surprised there are not buffers. Anyway thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Is that a Christmas tree up already?!? 🤛🤬🤜
yes and filmed a week of so ago! thanks for watchong.
Last time I was there the trains were Red
Apologies for not responding sooner, I don't recall the red trains but then to be fair we were there with the kids back in the day so we spent time in the amusement park. Anyway many thanks for watching and taking the time to message.
I'm surprised TfL hasn't claimed ownership.
Hi Sorry for not responding sooner, Thanks for watching.
u lk if it ever claps lots of things will be lost and I don't think they could get them back so there will be no trian running there again
I think it will be repaired soon, thanks for watching.
All the money spent on the pier you could have built a longer new one
Apologies for not responding sooner, Longer? much longer and it would be a bridge. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.