Buy a badge and support Bognor's birdman

Supporters of Bognor's Birdmen have the chance to show their backing for the world-famous event.

A lapel badge has been produced to publicise the return this September 11 and 12 of the flying fun to the town's pier.

The enamel badge has been produced for the International Bognor Birdman organisers in a limited edition of 250 by a leading London firm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is available priced 2.50 from the organisers' chairman, Barry Jones, at 63 Victoria Drive or 01243 868174.

"I hope as many people as possible will show their backing for the Birdmen with the badge and help to raise money for the event," he said.

The badge, about 2in wide, shows the event's symbol of a pair of outstretched wings with mascot Boggles on the tip of the right wing.

Mr Jones said: "This year's colour is blue and we will be issuing a different colour each year the Birdman is in Bognor from now on to enable people to collect the set if they want to."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hopes of the Birdmen being back in Bognor rest on a meeting in the next few days of the safety advisory group of representatives from councils and emergency services.

They will assess Mr Jones's evidence the scaffolding needed to support the ramps from which the Birdmen will launch themselves and the structure of the pier will be safe enough to withstand the weight of the competitors.

Those in the Condor and Leonardo da Vinci classes will be flying from a ramp 35ft above the sea on the traditionally-used western side of the pier.

The more flamboyant Kingfisher entrants will take off 24ft above the sea from a platform on the pier's western side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Jones said he was confident approval for the arrangement would

be given. "It will be plain sailing from then on," he said.

"We could have 60 to 90 Birdmen during the weekend. Having two platforms will make for much better viewing by the public."

Related topics: