Riviera Heritage
Major Henry Augustus Garrett Major Garrett was Chief Engineer and Surveyor at Torquay for forty years. He transformed the town bringing us Torquay Pavilion, Princess Pier, Royal Terrace Gardens, Torquay Promenade and much more. Ian Handford of Torbay Civic Society takes up the story.
H
these designs would complement the Torquay seafront enry Augustus Garrett, born in 1859, was from scene. Having commenced building by early 1892 the Bournemouth, where by the age of 20 he was new amenities were complete by 1895. It is interesting already an assistant surveyor with its council. Being a to reflect that at the age of just thirty-eight, Henry earned career engineer he successfully applied for the job of the town its new title ‘Queen of the English Riviera’ just Harbour Engineer & Borough Surveyor at Torquay in as the 20th century dawned. 1890, from a list of 109 applicants. Henry also wanted to construct a covered way for his Prior to his arrival in Torquay, the Town Board had promenade and pier but was subjected to a number of applied to Parliament to create a new pier at Torquay and “blocking motions” by Council. Having appreciated the ‘Pier and Harbour Provisional Order No 21 Bill’ had that it had taken five years for Council to approve a pier, become law on August 7th 1888. Yet by the time Henry a special public meeting was convened at Torbay and arrived to start his new job the foundation stone of the Cumpers Hotel in January new pier had not even been 1899. This resulted in the laid. His first action was It is interesting to reflect that at public consultees proposing: to put the project on hold, the age of just thirty-eight, Henry “that in the opinion of this which gave him an excellent earned the town its new title meeting it is advisable that a opportunity to visit other ‘Queen of the English Riviera’ just building should be provided resorts and observe how as the 20th century dawned. in this town wherein musical they had built their piers. and other entertainments With his planning complete may be given for the recreation of visitors and residents”. Henry returned for a Board decision; this was endorsed With few entertainment facilities in the town, Henry the town would have a new pier. Now a new Provisional suggested that his new pier was an obvious choice to Order was laid before Parliament and again approved, allowing a start to be made on the plans for a pier of 180ft use. He was determined to create a public emporium somewhere. His first drawings were jocularly dubbed length and 76ft wide. He estimated that it would cost the ‘Torquay Cucumber House’ by the press as it was £9050. designed with a glass front enclosing a bandstand. However, the Council refused his estimate and Henry Nevertheless, he pressed on with the idea of a Pavilion, was forced to redesign the plan using a reduced width of which could be sited on reclaimed land adjacent to the 55ft to meet budget. At the same time he was designing tidal area of Torquay’s inner harbour. Meanwhile, concerts what would become the Royal Terrace and new Terrace and other entertainments were held in an open-air Walk, which today we call Rock Walk. He believed that
“
englishrivieramagazine.co.uk
April/May 2022 | 23
