I took a few more shots of Brighton's West Pier in February 2018. It was even more evocative to be in Brighton as I was there to see Paul Weller - a first for me despite nearly forty years of listening. His music keeps moving on but this beast of ironwork is slowly dying. It visibly creeks and groans in silence, and gives a bit more of itself to each winter storm. Yet it is splendid and stunning, sitting detached and isolated from the shore and seemingly proud of its independence and retirement. It's been closed since 1975 and was ravaged by fire in 2003. More of the structure has collapsed of late and what remains looks more vulnerable. But this ageing and deteriorating statue will stand a while yet. You almost get the sense it will go at a time of its own choosing. I will be back to see it again, and perhaps Paul Weller.
