Reported not only in the Island media, but also in the Nationals this week was news that the 450ft long, 128 year old Totland Pier is due to go to auction in Covent Garden with Barnard Marcus on Monday morning.
The pier is privately owned by artist Derek Barran, who has been there for nearly ten years now. We popped over to catch up with Derek yesterday afternoon just as the sun was setting behind the headland.
Those fortunate enough to have visited Derek’s studio at the end of the pier will agree that the place has a very magical feel to it.
Whether it’s down to being at the end of an historic Victorian pier or has more to do with to the eclectic collection of Derek’s work we’re not sure – but it’s certainly one of our most treasured locations on the Wight.
The studio was rebuilt by Derek in 1999 after he took on the pier. Equipped with electricity, running water and ingeniously insulated (it was very cosy when we arrived yesterday despite there being just one heater on) the studio provides ample space for someone to live and work.
One unconfirmed thought, is that anyone wanting to rebuild on the end of the pier may not require planning permission – bringing with it endless possibilities.
As it stands at the moment, the views through the triple aspect portholes offer magnificent windows on the world.
Derek tells us that over the years, he has held some fantastic parties at the end of the pier, launching with a state of the art illumination by Chicago based architectural lighting designer, Tracey Dear (see below) in 1999.
Image: Copyright Dear Productions
Derek has much to say about life on the pier, why not take a break for five minutes and have a listen.
If you have some spare capital and fancy owning one of the last remaining piers in the UK for your own little bolthole or community project, why not give Derek a call over the weekend, before it gets snapped up at auction on Monday.
Call him on (01983) 752336 and don’t forget to mention where you heard about it.
Image: First image Alpha Perry
