Author and ‘seaside architecture’ expert Dr Kathryn Ferry is to talk at the Centenary Centre on Thursday 2 March as a guest of Isle of Architecture.
 
Kathryn Ferry grew up near the sea in North Devon and remembers childhood holidays around the UK, many by the sea.   Victorian architecture and design were her first academic interests, but she is now better known as an architectural historian, writer and broadcaster on many ‘seaside’ related subjects including holidays, beach huts and bungalows.
 
Her love of the seaside shines out from her books - not just the beaches and coastline but the very architecture which is often taken for granted or ignored, particularly by those of us who are so used to seeing it on our daily commute.  “There's something very special about seaside architecture,” Kathryn says. “Much of it is Victorian, harking back to an era which saw massive changes around the coast.  Thanks to steamers and the spread of railways, seaside holidays moved from the preserve of the rich taking the ‘air’ for their health, to an annual treat for factory workers on Wakes Weeks. New types of buildings sprang up to cater for their enjoyment including winter gardens, theatres and holiday camps, not to mention boarding houses and promenade amusements.”
 
The Isle of Man features in many of Kathryn’s books with mentions and photographs of the very first holiday camp (Cunningham Camp), and the first property to be described as a bungalow in the UK press (The Priory, Douglas in 1862) so it’s perhaps surprising that this will be her first visit to the Island.  “I was helped in my research by Manx National Heritage, the Victorian Society and particularly Peter Kelly,” says Kathryn, “so I’m very excited to finally get to the Island, and to be part of Isle of Architecture.”
 
“We’re delighted that Kathryn is our first off-Island speaker,” says Dr Catriona Mackie of Isle of Architecture, “and her expertise and enthusiasm for the seaside and its architecture is something the Island can really tap in to.  The Island was once the destination of choice for many holiday makers, with hundreds of boarding houses and hotels springing up to cater for them.  Those buildings are still there but how many of us actually take any notice of them? 
 
“Isle of Architecture is a celebration of the built environment, encouraging everyone to take a closer look and appreciate our architectural heritage,” Catriona continues, “and we’re looking forward to welcoming a large audience to the Centenary Centre to hear Kathryn talk about how seaside holidays played a big part in what we see every day.”
 
Local independent booksellers Bridge Bookshop will have a pop-up shop on the night and a selection of Kathryn’s books, including ‘The British Seaside Holiday’, will be available to purchase and Kathryn will be happy to sign any books after her talk.
 
Kathryn Ferry’s talk 'Architecture-on-Sea: the buildings that made the Seaside' is at the Peel Centenary Centre on Thursday 2 March at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm). 

Tickets are on sale now (?6) and can be purchased online from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/architecture-on-sea-the-buildings-that-made-the-seaside-by-dr-kathryn-ferry-tickets-31255935344?aff=es2 
 
Photo - Dr Kathryn Ferry.