The Queen's Pier Story....

Annual General Meeting 13th September 2002

The Chairman, Mr. F W. Hodgson's Address.

I regret the delay in holding this meeting but as most of you will be aware we have been trying to get some hard news for you rather than  vague statements.  We all knew the Morton Report produced last year at the request of Tynwald would follow the "Conservation route to Demolition". We were not wrong.  The Department of Transport are on record as saying "they do not want the Pier and it fills no Maritime purpose."  On this we can but agree.

 However this does not mean that it can be done away with!  Our Pier fulfils a useful purpose in both the visual and recreational life of this Island Nation and abroad. Imagine looking out over the Bay which did not have the Pier in its Landscape!  One can no more contemplate Ramsey Bay without our Pier than Laxey without its Wheel!  Such Heritage sites are the benchmark of a developed and civilised nation.  We are told all would be well "if we could find a use for it".

How do the citizens of Paris use the  Mona Lisa? 

What does Blackpool Tower actually do ?

When running, the Laxey wheel simply goes round and round ( rather like Debates and Reports on the Pier). Is that what is meant by 'Use'?.

 I was in Nottingham recently where they have  restored their canal and riverside buildings and are now currently replacing their train and tram systems. This has been done in several cities in the UK where there has also been a resurgence of enlightened interest in Piers.

Well the Isle of Man has never 'lost' its Trains or its Trams and must not be permitted to lose its last Pier.

You will have read & heard much in the media this last few weeks over proposals to De Register the Pier as an aid to restoration. We have countered by indicating that we will resist this as inherently dangerous because there would then be nothing to stop an 'instant' decision to demolish. The Registering of the Pier in 1995 placed obligations on it's owners under Government Policy which de Registering would remove. We are in close contact with DoLGE on this and appear to enjoy their support in planning a realistic way forward.

As you will know we have spent more of your funds on updating our Report of 1998 which was largely ignored by the previous administration. The updated version has been sent to the new Transport Minister, John Shimmin, as well as Director of Harbours, and other officials and seems to have enjoyed a more sympathetic reception. The Director of Planning and Building Control in DoLGE has requested further copies and we have had to have more  printed.

Whilst it is early days, I am pleased to be able to tell you tonight that from responses so far it appears the new Administration are much more sympathetic to the Pier. From conversations that I have had with senior members of Government I do not think that demolition remains on the Agenda.  What we must do now is to work together to obtain Tynwald's decision that funds for the Pier's future enjoy a high priority.  We enjoy much support in Tynwald and of course the town's two hardworking MHKs continue to promote our Pier for which we should all express our sincere thanks tonight.

I can conclude by saying that I am much more optimistic tonight than I have ever been  and I am convinced that with your continued help and support, common sense will prevail and the Pier be returned to its proper place in our Heritage.