Hundreds turn out for Hythe's Rock the Pier to mark centenary

HUNDREDS of people attended a music festival to mark the centenary of the Hythe pier railway – believed to be the oldest in the world.

Rock the Pier was organised by the Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA), which is restoring the pier and the railway after taking over the running of the structure from owners Blue Funnel, which operates the ferry service.

Opened in July 1922, the railway is the world’s oldest continuously running electric railway on a pier.

Celebrations included cake cutting and free rides along the pier before the music acts took to the stage in Prospect Place.

Local musicians the Trav Cats, Wire J-D, MagiKats, REMbrandt, When Harri met Alli and the Soulcatchers were among those performing to the crowds.

A spokesperson for HPHA told the A&T: "This was our most ambitious event yet, with more entertainers and a longer programme.

"The event attracted many hundreds of visitors – the numbers certainly exceeded previous Rock the Pier events and it is clear everyone enjoyed themselves.

"It is still too early to realise the amount raised but we are optimistic the increased attendance will reflect in an increased amount towards the funding of our aims to restore the pier and train to former glories."

Other attractions included an exhibition of model railways in the nearby community centre, face painting and refreshments.

Volunteers from the Hythe Shed, situated on the quay just 50 yards from the pier, were on hand to talk about HPHA's restoration projects.

Visitors to the event also had the opportunity to witness three First World War brush locomotives together for the first time in decades after the two that continue to work on the pier were re-united for the day with a third currently housed at the Amberley Museum in West Sussex.