‘Piers on Posters Exhibition’, Launches 17.5.2026
The history of piers and railways are inextricably linked, especially in Harwich, and the National Piers Society (NPS), in conjunction with The Pharos Trust, is delighted to be able to celebrate this relationship with a temporary exhibition onboard the historic Light Vessel 18, moored adjacent to Harwich’s Ha’penny Pier.
The exhibition, the largest of its kind in the UK, uses images from the Golden Age of railway posters, taking us on a journey around piers past and present, as depicted by some of the best commercial artists of the twentieth century.
Richard Furness has very kindly supplied images from his ‘Poster to Poster’ book series, while NPS member, Barry Thompson, has compiled the selection and provided the text.
The ‘Piers on Posters’ exhibition, with a declaration at 11am by the Harwich Town Crier, Richard Bench, opens on May 17 with a special day of celebration about everything seaside, including broadcasts from the LV18’s radio station, Radio Mi Amigo. A group of guests will arrive on a preserved Routemaster Bus hosted by BBC Essex celebrities, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, plus a special appearance by Inspector Blake famed from ‘On the Buses’.
The exhibition will be open throughout the summer and included as part of the guided tour of Lightship 18. Tim Wardley, Chairman of the National Piers Society said “ We are excited and delighted to be joining forces with the Pharos Trust to bring this nationally significant exhibition to Harwich. I am sure the extensive collection of pier posters will recall happy memories for many, and introduce younger generations to a great British tradition which remains as relevant today as in times past – with our seaside piers driving the inward investment for seaside towns and offering exciting all weather attractions “.
Tony O’Neil, from the Pharos Trust, added “We are most honoured to be selected as the
summer venue for this nationally important exhibition. In the wake of the serious fire caused by an arsonist in 2024, which devastated the LV18 causing £300,000 damage, our volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore the aft area into a new exhibition space to house ‘Piers on Posters’.
It is our hope that this exciting event will not only attract visitors from far and wide to the LV18 but to visit the rest of our historic maritime town of Harwich and the area in general. The exhibition is running daily from Sunday 17th May until 31st October 2026.