A new book to celebrate 150 years of Clacton Pier is being launched this
week.
The book will be available from the iconic seaside attraction from
Thursday August 25 and will be accompanied by an exhibition in the Jolly Roger.
Author Norman Jacobs will also be giving free talks in the building – which
was the first significant structure to be built on the pier in 1893.
Clacton Pier The First 150 Years has been a
ten month project and has involved the community providing information and
photographs along with previous owners and their relatives.
It charts the landmark’s history from 1871 when it was built as a
landing point for materials and passengers being brought to the new town of
Clacton-on-Sea, right up to the present day.
Mr Jacobs, who has written 27 other books and is Chairman of the Clacton
and District History Society, said it had been a huge challenge but one he has
enjoyed.
“I had a lot of the historical information to hand, but it was the
stories and accounts from the people involved with the pier over the years
which really bring the book alive,” he said.
“I was able to speak to Peter and Sue Kingsman, whose family owned the
attraction from 1920 to 1971, and Michael Goss came over from America to talk
to me about the family’s decade through until 1981,” he said.
“I then interviewed John Threadwell from the consortium that bought the
pier from the Goss family and ran it until 1994 when it was bought by the
Harrisons. Ted Harrison Jnr filled me in on his years until the attraction was
sold to the current owners Billy and Elliot Ball.
“There were many other who worked there or visited who came forward with
their own tales and I am very grateful to everyone who contributed to this
comprehensive account of such an important part of Clacton’s history.”
Mr Jacobs added that he has always wanted to write a book on the pier
and had offered to do so in the early 1990s, but nothing came of it.
Current pier director Billy Ball said that he had been toying with the
idea for some time and Mr Jacobs was the perfect person to take on the task.
“Norman has become part of the pier family and he has done a fantastic
job in writing a book that we are all very proud of,” he added.
“It has been a pleasure to work with him and all those who have helped
make this such a special and significant project.”
The exhibition opens to the public in the Jolly Roger foyer at 11am on
Thursday and will run until Sunday September 4.
Mr Jacobs has talks planned for Saturday August 27th at 2pm
about the pier, and on Sunday August 28th at 2pm on Clown Bertram,
the attraction’s greatest entertainer.
The book can be bought from the pier for £14.99 or online at www.clactonpier.co.uk plus £4 for
postage and packing.
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