As storm damage to Lower Largo Pier once again hits the local headlines, some conciliation can perhaps be obtained from viewing the current challenge as a phase of a long-term cycle. In its history the pier has suffered destruction to varying degrees at regular intervals. The winter of 1925-26 seems to have been an especially harsh one. On 16 January 1926 a particularly bad storm was reported in the Courier, which spoke of Largo Pier being "completely cut in two" by raging seas. The report continued...
"The big boulders and stones that composed the pier have been washed into the Keil Burn. Fishing has been suspended, the boats being unable to put off. The tide has been so high that the Crusoe Hotel has been completely surrounded, but the water has caused little damage."
The same paper provided an update on both 6th and 9th February (accompanied by the above image), under the headline "Largo's Crumbling Pier". The first article began...
"Largo Pier, which is fast going to destruction by the heavy seas which have been raging in the Forth, has been the main topic in Largo and Lundin Links for some time, and it is felt an effort should be made to save it."
A public meeting was held in La Scala Picture House, Lundin Links and a Pier Committee was appointed. Such were the concerns over the potential effect upon the summer tourist trade that the public wished to "take the matter in hand". The Committee was to "investigate every channel and get an engineer's report on the matter of cost". By June an invitation to tender for the repair of the pier was issued and presumably work was carried out before the next winter. Fund-raising for the repair and maintenance of the pier was, however, an ongoing long-term activity. For example, in November of 1926 a concert and dance was held in La Scala with over 200 couples in attendance. This seems to have become an annual event. Newspaper archives reveal a number of events in aid of the Pier Fund - another being a swimming gala and regatta at Largo Harbour in summer of 1928. In the next post - happier times for the Pier Committee post-repairs!
"The big boulders and stones that composed the pier have been washed into the Keil Burn. Fishing has been suspended, the boats being unable to put off. The tide has been so high that the Crusoe Hotel has been completely surrounded, but the water has caused little damage."
The same paper provided an update on both 6th and 9th February (accompanied by the above image), under the headline "Largo's Crumbling Pier". The first article began...
"Largo Pier, which is fast going to destruction by the heavy seas which have been raging in the Forth, has been the main topic in Largo and Lundin Links for some time, and it is felt an effort should be made to save it."
A public meeting was held in La Scala Picture House, Lundin Links and a Pier Committee was appointed. Such were the concerns over the potential effect upon the summer tourist trade that the public wished to "take the matter in hand". The Committee was to "investigate every channel and get an engineer's report on the matter of cost". By June an invitation to tender for the repair of the pier was issued and presumably work was carried out before the next winter. Fund-raising for the repair and maintenance of the pier was, however, an ongoing long-term activity. For example, in November of 1926 a concert and dance was held in La Scala with over 200 couples in attendance. This seems to have become an annual event. Newspaper archives reveal a number of events in aid of the Pier Fund - another being a swimming gala and regatta at Largo Harbour in summer of 1928. In the next post - happier times for the Pier Committee post-repairs!
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