An important milestone in the history of Queen’s Pier was marked as the Lieutenant Governor officially launched the next phase of the restoration project.
The event also saw the completed bays being formally handed back to the Department of Infrastructure, in accordance with the lease initially signed with the government in 2017 and extended four years later.
Bays nine and 10 were completed in the summer, bringing to an end phase two of the ambitious restoration. There are 60 bays in total.
Work on the next three of these planned for next year and then a further three in 2028.
Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer and Lady Lorimer visited the pier on Sunday (October 4) to formally close phase two and officially open phase three of the project.
In a welcoming address, pier trust president Stuart McKenzie said: ‘Today marks an important milestone.
‘It is a moment made possible not by any single organisation, but by a remarkable partnership - trustees, volunteers, fundraisers, local businesses, supporters across Ramsey and beyond, and the DoI, who remain the custodians of this Victorian treasure.
‘To our volunteers and fundraisers: your commitment, your craftsmanship, and your sheer determination have carried this project forward bay by bay, bolt by bolt. You have given thousands of hours, in all weathers, and the pier stands stronger because of you.
‘To our trustees: thank you for your leadership, your governance, and your refusal to let this pier slip quietly into history. And to the community: your donations, your encouragement, and your belief in the project have kept us moving when the tide was against us.’
He added: ‘We now look ahead to bay 11 and beyond - the next stage in bringing Queen’s Pier back to life for future generations.
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His Excellency and Lady Lorimer, both been steadfast supporters of Queen’s Pier, were presented with a small memento made from the pier’s original planks.
