Another connectionto royaltyfor town

While researching books recently on the town, it became evident that certain aspects of Richard Hotham's dream did indeed come true '“ royalty coming to his seaside resort.

One such family was namely Bowes-Lyon and one member was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who eventually married the Duke of York who became King George VI. It was her grandfather, Claude Bowes- Lyon, whose name is most associated with the town.

He was born on July 21, 1824, at Redburn in Scotland and married Francis Dora Smith on September 28, 1853, at Bexley in Kent.

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It wasn't until 1862 that his association with the area commenced, when he bought Sudley Cottage '“ known as Sudley Villa '“ in Bognor and it became his seaside residence.

He ultimately enlarged the premises and gave it the nickname The Den '“ as a pun on his name of Lyon. He very soon became a member of the Bognor Local Board of Improvement Commissions. He also became a Sussex Justice of the Peace and chairman of the Bognor Promenade Pier Company.

This was the company, which became responsible for the building of the pier. It was his wife, the Hon Mrs Lyon, who performed the driving in of the first pile of the pier on April 23, 1864.

On completion of the pier, Claude Bowes-Lyon performed the opening of this new seaside attraction for the town on May 4, 1865.

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Four months later, he inherited the title of 13th Earl of Strathmore on September 13, 1865, on the death of his brother, and took over the family seat of Glamis Castle.

As a mark of their respect, the people of Bognor provided a dinner for the new Earl of Strathmore, at the Assembly Rooms in Sudley Road.

The dinner was arranged by the gentlemen and tradesmen of the town and was attended by around 100 people. A report in the paper of 1866 recalled '˜the banquet was intended as an expression on behalf of the inhabitants of Bognor generally of the estimation in which the noble lord has been held'.

During his residence in Bognor, Claude Bowes-Lyon contributed greatly to the welfare of the town, both by his hospitality and by the interest he took in all matters which affected those connected with the town.

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The feelings the townspeople had towards him echo the high esteem many people held for the late Queen Mother.

While making visits to Glamis Castle, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore did in fact reside in Bognor for a few years, as the following reports indicate, telling of their entertaining of Bognor gentry and residents. It was known there were bands playing on the lawns, and many people would be involved in playing croquet.

A report from June 18th 1868 talks of '˜A Gay Day at the Den', when a number of local people were entertained by the band of the 3rd Hussars who were '˜quartered at Chichester'. Their guests were also encouraged to have a game of croquet. Following this, the couple were reported to have travelled north to Glamis Castle. A further report in 1869 described how '˜Cards of invitation were issued by the Earl and Countess of Strathmore among the gentry of the town and its vicinity for a visit to The Den, when a meeting of a happy kind took place at his lordship's marine residence'. The event '˜made the day a happy one to all assembled'.

The Earl of Strathmore had acquired various pockets of land around his home, much of which ran down to the sea, and this area was called the Strathmore Park Estate.

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Today, we have many reminders of his associations with the town, with such names as Lyon Street, Glamis Street, which contains Strathmore Gardens and Lyon Villas. There is also Strathmore Terrace in William Street and finally Sidlaw Terrace within Clarence Road.

It was because of his ownership of this land along the seafront that he and the Local Board had a disagreement.

Early in 1869, severe storms damaged the sea defences and his estate. Earl Strathmore considered the local authority liable for the repairs.

While agreement was eventually reached, it was soon after this incident the Strathmores left Bognor. Another reminder of Earl Strathmore's association with the town is Den Avenue, which was developed within The Den grounds in the 1920s.

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Also surviving is the original gate lodge situated on the corner of the High Street and Den Ave. It is a flint-faced building and was erected by him. The Den, which was originally built in the period 1827-1830 for the Earl of Arran, had numerous residents prior to Claude Bowes-Lyon. Following their departure, a number of people seemed to own the house, occupying it only during the summer seasons.

Eventually, in the 1890s, it was purchased by the Grisewood family who remained there until it was sold in 1922.

For a period until 1926, it became known as The Den Hotel. Advertising for the hotel exploited the fact the Early of Strathmore had at one time been the owner, and during this period visitors were reminded of '˜the garden parties, and fetes' which occurred there with previous owners.

The advertising continued, '˜the sea is within 300 paces of the Lodge entrance and is beautifully sheltered, cool in summer and warm in winter '“ a veritable suntrap'.

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Finally, in 1926, it was bought and transformed into a school run by Mrs Walter Ward, who was the founder of the Norland Institute for training children's nurses.

It continued to be used as teaching premises until 1939 when it became very difficult to run due to the lack of domestic staff available locally and the school was closed.

For the period from 1939 to 1940 the National Institute for the Blind took over the premises, but sadly on September 14, 1940, The Den was bombed. At the time there were 43 evacuees in the house, but luckily none were injured.

Sales particulars around this time gave an indication of the size of The Den, describing it as a '˜large old fashioned residence' and the total property consisted of 27 bedrooms, five bathrooms, nine reception and living rooms.

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The sale particulars described the property and the nearby facilities, and suggested it would be an admirable site for a school, nursing or convalescent home.

Sadly this did not occur and the house was left to decay, eventually being demolished by the county council after the war.

There was apparently, within the building, an extremely fine wooden staircase which was removed just prior to the demolition. I wonder where that is now?

There was also an annexe to the Den, which was situated nearer Lyon Street; this still exists and is now the 39 Club.

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Situated on the High Street are a number of smaller unusual homes, one of which is called Strathmore House, and is another flint-faced building. Next door there are smaller cottages and to the rear of these there are now flats, which were considered to be in premises which had been converted from sheds on the farm belonging to the Earl of Strathmore's estate.

The family connection, as we know, had continued, with the late Queen Mother frequently visiting friends in the area.

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