Bognor 'elephants' bring seafront art to the fore

The herd of 11 of the large animals provoked the biggest talking point among visitors to an exhibition about the future of the key area.

This means consultants compiling a strategy with ideas to revive the

promenade will include artwork in their recommendations.

Whether the elephants '“ chosen as a symbol of the Victorian time when

visiting circuses would take their acts to the beach for a cooling bathe '“ will make it into reality depends on councillors who will debate the strategy in early 2009.

Paula Welland, a member of Arun District Council's Bognor regeneration task force, told the council's Bognor sub-committee this week response to the elephants made it certain public art would be seen as a priority.

"Over one in four comments from the exhibition were on the elephants or public art," she said. "It does warrant public art making it into the general document. The strategy will be built on what people said and will say what could be brought forward quickly to be put into an

action plan."

The exhibition about the seafront took place on November 21 and 22 at the town's Methodist Church Hall.

More than 400 people went along to look at the suggestions for the area from Aldwick's Marine Park Gardens to Blakes Road in Felpham.

Of those visitors, 170-plus of them made comments while they were there or later.

The elephants and public art in general were in number one spot with 25 people in favour and 17 against.

Second in the wishlist were general comments supporting the strategy.

Next came the desire for a cycle path along the prom, followed by support for a pocket beach with sand and easy access, with a call for top-class cafes and restaurants behind that. Other comments focused on the pier.

Views ranged from knocking it down, building a new one or helping to reinstate the current Victorian structure. Butlins also attracted some remarks based on making its appearance less like a fortress or Army camp and more like a holiday destination.

Other people took the chance to praise the seafront and the ideas for its improvement.

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