OPENING OF CLEETHORPES PIER.
This event, which has long been looked forward to with a vast amount of pleasurable interest by the inhabitants of the rising little watering-place, Cleethorpes, deservedly named the Margate of the Lincolnshire coast, took place, amidst much ceremony and rejoicing, yesterday. The weather in the early part of the day was gloomy, but as the afternoon advanced the sun shone out resplendently, and the sands and pier presented quite a festive appearance. The little village was completely deluged with flags and banners, while the cheap excursion trains from the West Riding and midland counties brought thousands of visitors, who, on this the last Bank holiday before Christmas, were afforded the opportunity of spending the day in the country. All along the extensive beach and the marine, promenades crowded the delighted trippers in holiday costume, while bathing, boating, and many other amusements were entered into with a gusto peculiar to the dwellers of towns when they find themselves transplanted to the seaside. The new pier, which is a light and elegant structure supported by iron pillars, was commenced in December last from designs by Messrs J. E. & A. Dowson, engineers, of London. The opening ceremony took place at two o’clock, when speeches were delivered by Mr. Grant Thorold, the chairman, and Mr E. Bannister, the vice-chairman of the company, who spoke in complimentary terms of the great progress which the watering place had made during the past few years, which this new structure was calculated materially to enhance. Cheers were given for the company, and subsequently there were some very interesting trials with the Cleethorpes lifeboat, followed by a series of rowing matches and aquatic sports. A band of music played a selection of music on the platform, and dancing was freely indulged in by the young people present. The day was a thoroughly enjoyable one, and the event, it is hoped, marks much future advantage for this favourite resort.
