The Stories

The project will bring to life Bournemouth Pier, conserving its heritage to inspire and educate future generations.

The local community will work with film makers to shape the story of the Pier and explore themes such as how lives are shaped by the iconic structure, how the town and community has benefited and grown around the Pier and how generations of visitors have enjoyed its facilities and views. Interviews will reveal emotional ties, an epic heritage which covers two world wars and how the Pier is as important today as when it was first built, both economically and socially. The project will be focused on people's memories and experiences of the Pier rather than a chronological account of the pier's history. In this way, the project becomes a living archive of the Pier's heritage, telling unique stories from the heart of the community and from visitors from around the world.

Oral history interviews will be used to tell the story of the Pier's heritage whilst drama will be used to bring these memories to life. Working with professional actors and a production team, the project will re-create memories and bring to life the heritage. These two elements will be interwoven to produce an educational film which will be used as a historical resource and lead to a better understanding of the importance the Pier has within the region.