Peering into the past

15th May 2008

• Birnbeck water chute - National Piers Society.

THE Weston & Somerset Mercury is able to take a look back at years gone by this week.

Chris Foote has released his book Walking over The Waves - Quintessential British Seaside Piers and he has lent us some pictures of Birnbeck Pier that feature in it.

The County Durham author, who is the brother of famous comedienne Victoria Wood, sent us the images below, showing the popular landmark throughout the 20th century.

The book is a guide to all 56 remaining UK seaside pleasure piers and features more than 250 photographs, old and new. For more details log on to www.writersinc.biz

• Francis Foote collection c.1900.

• National Piers Society c.1912.

• Francis Foote collection c.1959.