Hythe came to life over the weekend of 23rd and 24th July to celebrate the centenary of the pier train encompassing the ‘Rock the Pier’ music festival day.

The celebrations started with a short ceremony conducted by HPHA chairman Anthony Smith during which the 16307 locomotive arrived down the pier bang on time to join its visiting sibling loco 16303 (courtesy of the Amberley Museum) at the pier station. A birthday cake was cut and the crowd joined in with a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. While ‘Rock the Pier’ got under way over on the Promenade there was plenty to interest visitors to the pier, including rides on the pier railway and historic Hythe Pier and Ferry artefacts. Adjacent to the pier at the Hythe Shed were exhibits from the Volks Electric Railway in Brighton, and the Romsey Signal Box. Also on display were vintage vehicles from the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu and the Waterside Christmas Fire Engine. A short distance away at the Community Centre the Romsey & District Railway Modelers Society set up an exhibition of working model railway layouts.

Hythe’s annual music festival day took place again on The Promenade adjacent to the waterfront and offering wonderful views of Hythe Pier. This year taking place as part of the ‘Rock the Train’ weekend, celebrating the centenary of Hythe Pier Railway.

A packed audience were able to enjoy the good weather and great music. Getting the show off to a rocking start at 12.45 were popular local band Trav Cats. Continuing the entertainment were Wire J-D, MagiKats, REMbrandt, When Harri met Alli before the ever popular Soulcatchers closed the day at 7.30pm. Thankyou to all our performers for giving their time for free. Spectators were also able to purchase HPHA merchandise and find out more about the project to preserve and restore Hythe Pier at the HPHA info stand. The event, organised and run by volunteers, raised nearly £8000 from donations, the Grand draw, merchandise and sponsorship.

A day of family fun, games and learning to celebrate the heritage of Hythe’s historic pier.

Ask the Expert with Alan Titheridge author of ‘Hythe Pier and Ferry – A History’ who has a huge wealth of knowledge on everything connected to the Ferries and Pier.

Music at the entrance to the Pier from New Forest Brass Training Band, Rock Choir and Waterside Community Choir.

Pop Up Cafe at the end of the Pier offering teas, coffees and delicious home-made cakes and great views over Southampton Water.

A chance to tour the train workshop and understand how the Hythe Pier Railway has been kept running for nearly 100 years.

Ramboll was commissioned to examine the existing services to the Hythe Pier and to conduct a feasibility study into the renovation of the pier buildings, land and shore side. This feasibility study will look at the existing services provided, utilities infrastructure and what new services will be provided in the renovation of the Pier and its intended new use.

Statistics

Project Funding Organisations

This project was fully funded by HPHA from donations made by the Hythe community.

Ramboll was appointed to carry out an inspection of the pier to determine its structural arrangement and general condition. This was a high-level inspection, providing general observations and preliminary recommendations. The objectives of the inspection were to gain an initial idea of the current operational adequacy of the pier, identify any major defects and form an initial schedule of repairs.

Statistics

Project Funding Organisations

This project was fully funded by HPHA from donations made by the Hythe community.