The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Weston-super-Mare's Birnbeck Pier
Saving Birnbeck Pier
In partnership with:
Overview
Opened on 5 June 1867, Birnbeck Pier originally ‘Bearn Back’ was designed by Eugenius Birch, the buildings designed by architect Hans Price. The pier was commissioned by the Admiralty in 1949, renamed HMS Birnbeck, and used a weapons research centre. The pier links the mainland of Weston-super-Mare with Birnbeck Island. The National Piers Society states that the seaside piers around the UK stand as powerful reminders of Victorian engineering and entrepreneurialism.
In 1872 improvements included a 250-foot wooden jetty and in 1881 the addition of a lifeboat station and in 1889 the building of a boathouse with the construction of a pavilion added in 1884. The buildings were damaged by fire in 1902. P&A Campbell ran the pier from 1962 to 1972 selling it to John Critchley in 1989, ownership then passed to Phil Stubbs, who wanted to restore the pier. 1992 saw the work cease due to lack of funding and it closed to the public in 1994.
Related
Watch for free
Weston Super Mare Holiday Report Weston Super Mare Holiday Report
News 1978 3 mins Location: Weston-super-Mare
It's Birmingham week at Weston super Mare as ATV go on the trail of Brummies in the South West.
Watch for free
A Spring Holiday A Spring Holiday
Home movie 1935 9 mins Silent Location: Evesham
A leisurely holiday to the South West of England via Evesham and Weston Super Mare.
Watch for free
The Weston-super-Mare Donkeys The Weston-super-Mare Donkeys
News 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
Donkeys on the beach receive new hats for the summer season.
Watch for free
Paddle Steamer the Bristol Queen Paddle Steamer the Bristol Queen
News 1964 7 mins Location: Weston-super-Mare
The steam whistle sounds the ‘all aboard' for a coastal cruise from Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare
Watch for free
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden visit the Westcountry Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden visit the Westcountry
News 1965 3 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
Earl and Countess Snowden have a go on a Butlins joyride.
Watch for free
Pier Construction Work, Weston-super-Mare Pier Construction Work, Weston-super-Mare
Non-Fiction 1907 2 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
A 500-yard extension to the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare is underway as workers gather the new materials.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.