Annual tradition upheld as life of Bognor's founder Sir Richard Hotham celebrated

Sir Richard Hotham's important role in the history of Bognor Regis has again been remembered.

The latest of the annual ceremonies to commemorate the anniversary of his founding of the town as a seaside resort has taken place at his grave.

About 12 members of Bognor Regis Local History Society were present at St Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted to continue the tradition.

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They were joined by children from the church's Sunday school and the

chairman of Arun District Council, Cllr Ashvin Patel, and Cllr Jennifer Gillibrand, Bognor's town mayor.

Kay Fall, the history society's chairman, told them: "In 1784, a man named Sir Richard Hotham came to a small seaside hamlet called Bognor.

"He liked it and decided to come back (on January 18, 1787) and regenerate it and to change its name to Hotham(p)ton. I wonder what new name might be proposed if the present regeneration plans come to fruition.

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"Sir Richard had a vision that Bognor would become a great seaside resort and he built some fine buildings. Some do remain for us to appreciate, although many have been demolished to make way for developments."

She described the stay by King George V 80 years ago as fulfilling Sir Richard's wish for Royal patronage in a way he could never have envisaged.

After that, Bognor became Bognor Regis.

Mrs Fall also told the small group the history society had revived the

commemoration ceremony 25 years ago and it had since been staged in all weathers.

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Three foliage basket arrangements made with material collected from Sir Richard's former garden, now Hotham Park, were laid on his grave.

One was placed by history society founder member John Hawkins to represent the past, the second by Cllrs Patel and Gillibrand to signify the present and the third by the Sunday school children to represent the future.

Cllr Patel and Cllr Gillibrand both said a few words.

The ceremony on the sunny and chilly day of January 18 ended with a prayer said by Barbara Harding, the verger of South Bersted church.

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