The death of a pier

There’s something both sad and compelling about the images of Weston-Super-Mare’s Grand Pier in flames.  Of course, we should be extremely thankful that no-one has been injured in the blaze.  But it’s hard not to romanticise these quirky and defiant structures, and thereby see other casualties among the ruins.  Nostalgia, innocence, sea air, kiss-me-quick hats and saucy postcards – piers are a uniquely British mix, and a dying breed.  Today their numbers have been cut by one.