Visit to the Imperial War Museum, London 27.06.17

Founded as the Imperial War Museum in 1917, the museum was intended to record the civil and military war effort and sacrifice of Britain and its Empire during the First World War. The museum’s remit has since expanded to include all conflicts in which British or Commonwealth forces have been involved since 1914. As of 2012, the museum aims ‘to provide for, and to encourage, the study and understanding of the history of modern war and “wartime experience.

If you want to read more about the  War Museums in London check out this link.

 

Royal Pavillion Garden, Brighton 28.06.17

Photo: Vibecke Markhus

The Royal Pavilion, designed by John Nash in 1815, is in the style of the Moghul palaces of India. The idea for using this style came from Humphry Repton’s Designs for the Pavilion at Brighton (1808). It was a style which he also recommended at Sezincote. The gardens of the Pavilion, which are not extensive, have been returned to their 1826 appearance. Loudon complained, in 1842, about the grounds being shut in by a high wall, instead of by an iron railing. The fault was remedied. He also wanted the surrounding houses to be cleared away, to give the Queen a larger garden. Fortunately, this was not done.

Want to visit? Read more here or at VisitBrighton

 

 

The West Pier in Brighton

Photos: Vibecke Markhus

The West Pier is a pier in Brighton, England. It was designed by Eugenius Birch, opening in 1866 and closing in 1975. The pier was the first to be Grade I listed in Britain but has become increasingly derelict since closure.
The pier was constructed during a boom in pleasure pier building in the 1860s, and was designed to attract tourism in Brighton. It was the town’s second pier, joining the Royal Suspension Chain Pier of 1823. It was extended in 1893, and a concert hall was added in 1916. The pier reached its peak attendance during this time, with 2 million visitors between 1918 and 1919. Its popularity began to decline after World War II, and concerts were replaced by a funfair and tearoom. A local company took ownership in 1965, but could not meet the increased maintenance cost, and ultimately filed for bankruptcy. They could not find a suitable buyer, so the pier closed in 1975 and subsequently fell into disrepair.

The West Pier Trust now owns the pier and has proposed various plans to renovate it. Some schemes have been opposed by local residents and the owners of the nearby Palace Pier, who have claimed unfair competition. The pier gradually collapsed during the early 21st century. Major sections collapsed in late 2002, and two fires in March and May 2003 left little of the original structure. Subsequently, English Heritage declared it to be beyond repair. Structured demolition took place in 2010 to make way for the observation tower i360; further structural damage from storms has occurred since.