*Dutch Tutch, a phoenix from the ashes

            Dutch Tutch which stands on the bank of the River Thurne at Potter Heigham is probably one of the most instantly recognisable, and most photographed, buildings in Broadland. It began life as a helter skelter which stood at the entrance to Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth.
The first Brittania Pier opened in July 1858, was constructed entirely of wood and was 700 ft. in length. However, in the following year it was badly damaged when the schooner James and Jessie collided with it and its length was reduced by around 50 ft. when repairs were carried out. The pier was a place where Victorian day trippers and holidaymakers could promenade and open air concerts were also a regular attraction. As the popularity of Great Yarmouth as a seaside resort continued to increase during the latter years of the 19th. century, it was decided that a new pier would be built. Opening in 1902, and constructed from steel and wood at a cost of over £60,000, the new Britannia Pier boasted a spectacular Grand Pavilion which could seat 2500 people.
Near to the entrance of the pier stood the “On The Mat” helter skelter. Edwardian thrill seekers paid a fee of 1d per ride.
In December 1909, disaster struck as the pier and pavilion caught fire. It is believed that the helter skelter building also sustained some fire damage but, the following year was moved to Potter Heigham, possibly by wherry, where the bottom section became a holiday cottage whilst the top was placed beside it and utilized as an outbuilding. It was the first residential building on this stretch of the river. It is likely that its current location was chosen simply because the boat laden with the structure was too high to pass under Potter Heigham Bridge. 
The pier itself was rebuilt in 1910 and a new pavilion was opened but, sadly, suffered the same fate just four years later when fire rampaged through the structure once again the result of an arson attack by militant suffragettes Hilda Burkitt and Florence Tunks, both of whom received prison sentences.
A third pavilion was built and continued to attract many visitors up until the outbreak of WW2. Great Yarmouth sustained heavy damage from bombing raids during the war but the pier and it’s pavilion survived unscathed, although a hole was blown in the decking of the pier in 1940 to prevent enemy landings in the event of an invasion. In 1954, history repeated itself when the pier and its buildings were destroyed by yet another fire. The current pier and pavilion were opened in 1958 and now offers a theatre, restaurant and bars, an amusement arcade and a variety of rides amongst its attractions.
   

Taken in: UK / England / Great Yarmouth District / Bastwick (show map)

Taken on: November 17, 2020

Tags:

Dutch Tutch

Potter Heigham

Norfolk Broads

cottage

holiday cottage

helter skelter

Britannia Pier

Gt Yarmouth « less

Sets appears in: • Buildings - Cottages • Norfolk Broads

Groups appears in: • Norfolk UK • Cottages more » • East Anglia • Nice pictures • Scenes from Norfolk • THE GROUP FOR HAPPY SNAPPERS. • English Villages • White (the color) • Cottages, English • Normal for Norfolk • Norfolk Broads • Buildings and Architecture UK • The Fens and East Anglia • Old Buildings and Structures • Norfolk Photo Takers • The Norfolk Village. • Old Buildings of the British Isles • Local Tributes, Monuments and Follies, UK. • Anything Wood • Visit Norfolk • Images Of Norfolk • BEAUTY PHOTOS AROUND THE WORLD • Unhuman • (A) CHOCOLATE BOX LOCATION • ✣ Pensaernïaeth glan-môr ✣ Seaside architecture ✣ « less

Camera: SAMSUNG WB700, f/5.0, 1/250 sec, 19.5mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	SAMSUNG WB700
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.004 sec (1/250)
Focal Length:	19.5mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384
Show full info

Stats: 2,149 views / 10 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: