Most locals and visitors to Weston are aware of the currently underway restoration work to Birnbeck Pier, our Grade II* listed Victorian pier. It’s an incredible project that’s captivated scores of people to go and see the works in progress and now, you too can get hands on with re-creating the pier – well, the cardboard version of it!
Everyone join in
Over several FREE workshops that the whole community can take part in, whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’re invited to help create a large scale cardboard version of Birnbeck Pier. (Well, inspired by Birnbeck as the real pier still isn’t fully renovated so we can’t match it piece for piece just yet). If you’d like to join alone, with friends, or as part of a huge group – we want to see you there at the sessions!
Hosted by Super Culture and created by visual artist Olivier Grossetête, who has planned and crafted over 300 world spanning cardboard structures before with his team, this project will for one day take Weston’s total number of piers up to an astounding 4! Everyone is encouraged to help out, though just a note that workshops are recommended for ages 11 and above.
The workshops will see people crafting in a shared space and alongside that sharing their own stories and memories of Birnbeck Pier as they cut and tape the pieces of it’s cardboard counterpart together. You don’t have to be an engineer though! Teamwork is key at these workshops and there will be support at each session too for all the technical bits. You may even leave with some new skills (for you to start making your own life sized Grand Pier perhaps!) Materials are all provided, with an enormous amount of cardboard donated from Smurfit Westrock.
The new pier’s home
The workshops conclude with the final construction of the cardboard parts on Saturday 26 September in Prince Consort Gardens, the beautiful grounds that directly overlook the stone, wood and ironwork version. It’s going to be a stunning home to the project, as the new pier looks towards the historic pier. It’s the perfect place to reflect on memories, and the human ingenuity and teamwork used on both structures. As if a huge cardboard pier wasn’t spectacular enough though, stay till the sun sets on Saturday to see the pier illuminated by lights. It’s sure to be breathtaking and a little bit magical.
see it before it’s gone
Sadly cardboard can’t withstand the UK’s weather for long (though don’t worry, the tape around the structure should protect it from any rain on Saturday!). If you can’t make the cardboard pier’s debut, there’s more fun to be had on Sunday 27 September as we’re all invited to a party at the cardboard pier to celebrate this once in a lifetime event! Listen to music as you marvel at the sight of both piers from Prince Consort Gardens and admire everyone’s handiwork.
Then, at 3pm have even more fun as you help to dismantle the cardboard structure. If you love recycling and breaking down cardboard boxes, this is the event for you. Stomp, tear, push – whatever your method! Break all the cardboard down ready to be recycled (minus any tape). It might sound a little unorthodox, but it’s another chance for everyone to make new memories and share old ones as we work together alongside other members of the community.
Weston-super-Mare excels in it’s community focused events and the cardboard pier is sure to be a new monumental addition to not just Weston’s wonderful range of events and festivals, but to Weston’s iconic pier history too. Across the workshops, construction, Sunday party and deconstruction, it’s hoped that the cardboard pier brings not only thoughts of Birnbeck and it’s restoration to the forefront, but it brings everyone in the community together.
Be sure to catch a glimpse of this unforgettable sight in the skyline in September!
Don’t forget to reserve your spot on a workshop here too!
A Quick Summary:
- Everything is FREE to take part in!
- Recommended for ages 11 and above
- Workshops: 18 – 22 September & 24 – 25 September
- Construction: 26 September
- Party and Deconstruction: 27 September
- Join alone, with friends or as part of a Group or organisation: bring a school, community group or team!
- Accessibility: Super Culture want everyone to take part. If you or your group have accessibility requirements or need information in an alternative format, please get in touch with them.