h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well supernatural fans time for somthing new from the crypt guardian.
ive been planing on going to see my brother 'n' sister in canvy island for some time
now and last week i decided to go and see them.Its the first time i have ever been there and what a great little place
it is theres plenty to do and the people are very nice and polite(unlike some places ive visited!)
and we also took a trip to Southend and the history there is fantastic and it has the 'longest pier in the world' its over a mile long!.If your gifted with the
sight to see the ones that have passed before us then its a magical place to be theres
alot of spirits there and if you stand still long enough its like watching a film on fast forward
all those people from different times the variety of dress sense is amazing from the early days of top
hats and beautiful dresses the ladies once wore to the baseball hats and low slung tops of today.
Anyway i would like give you a taste of the history in this beautiful town.
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-A HISTORY OF THE PIER PAVILION-
As south end prospered and grew in popularity,the decision was made to build a more permanent iron structured
pier alongside the original 1829 wooden one.This was opened to the public in 1889 and finished two years later at
a cost of £80,000.Larger steamers were bringing were bringing more trade to the the town,but the ever-silting Thames needed constant dredging
to keep the water deep enough for such large boats.And so by 1897,schemes were mooted to extend the pier Northward into deeper water.
These new schemes included the provision of a bandstand,increased shelter and refreshment rooms,and although the present
pavilion was built by the Mc Ginty family only afew years ago,it too includes the same attractions and whole lot more!
.
Whilst i was there i also picked up an old 'Toll Charges' card wich i found very amuseing
here it is.
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--TOLL CHARGES--
Pier tolls have been levied since the 19th century.Today's prices compare favourabley with those charged
159 years ago-:
For every person who shall use the pier:
For the pupose of walking......6d
For every bath or sedan hair..1s0d
For every perambulator........6d
For every use of the tramway..3d
(exclusive of luggage)
For every trunk,portmanteau,box,parcel....1d
For every barrel of gunpowder.6d
For every cubic foot of musical instrument.1d
For every corpse.............£1
.
As you can see some of these prices are a years wage and more in some cases.
As i said before this town has some fantastic history so if your wanting somewhere
to take the kids(theres a realy nice fun fare two minutes from the pier)or just somwhere
differant then give canvy and southend a visit you will be happy you did.
.
THANKS SIS & BRO FOR A BEAUITFUL FUN WEEKEND WE REALY ENJOYED IT MWAAAAAAHx

It was a pleasure angel

Mmmmmmwwwwaaaah