Weston-super-Mare has a 2-mile long sandy beach and has always been known for it's donkey rides (and still is).

Weston Super Mare WSM 1960 approx

The pier's pavilion has been destroyed by fire on two occasions, in 1930 and 2008. It is one of two major piers in the town, along with Birnbeck Pier, which closed in 1994 and stands derelict. Birnbeck Pier was fully operational when I first visited Weston, and is where the boat trips went from, on the paddle steamer Waverley and the steamship Balmoral. Trips to Wales, Lundy Island, Ilfracombe, and up the Bristol Channel. All this has gone, so it's always interesting to me to see footage of these days gone by.

This next video is the paddle steamer Waverley, not from Weston .. but from Dunoon in Scotland. Love the Scottish music!

The Waverley Song

Sand in the Wind: The History of Weston-super-Mare

Hi Hugh,

Some interesting video of your town, Stayed there once back when British Railways did what they called Golden Rail Holiday's, we visited Longleat, Bath and Bristol.
Good holiday and a nice place.

All the Best, Brian007

Hi. Hugh. Never been but seems worth a visit. John

Entertainment expectations have changed over the years too. Whatever the weather you can spend time in this entertainment venue and keep everyone happy.

Sand in The Wind A history of Weston Super Mare is wonderful .This Youtube video with Councillor John Crockford Hawley is a treasure. It goes for about 15 minutes. I had never heard of John Crockford Hawley but I think that he is right up there with the likes of Michael Parkinson. Many thanks to Hugh for telling us about it. J.T.

A big plus. They have brought the flower clock back. Rember it well from our annual sunday school outing. Ken S.

Ken ...

The Floral Clock was built in 1935.
It was just amazing! That was why you remember it.



This is what happened to it.



And now .. back to being restored to it's original glory.



Hugh