Carnival queen will reign again as revival under way in Bognor

The idea of the traditional female figurehead of the community celebration is being revived by the organisers of this year's 'new' carnival.

The town council hopes the idea will capture the imagination of women aged 18 and over.

The Observer is encouraging the success of the competition by publishing details of the entrants and asking readers to vote for their favourites.

As well as the queen, there will be two princesses accompanying her at the head of the carnival in an open top car. Events officer Sue Holmes said: "Having a carnival queen adds to the element of personal involvement in the day.

"It is a traditional part of the carnival and it would be nice to have that glamorous side of the occasion."

Choosing a carnival queen will turn the clock back about 15 years in Bognor.

It was in the mid-1990s that the organisers of the previous carnival, Bognor Regis Lions Club, decided too few women were coming forward to warrant the competition to choose a queen being continued.

The town council has taken on the organisation of the carnival '“ for June 13 '“ four years after the Lions scrapped the summer day of fun entirely.

Its members believed the increasing effort needed to stage the day failed to be reflected in the amount they were raising or the response from the participants.

But the town councillors are enthusiastic enough about the idea to put up a 100 prize for the queen and 50 for each of her princesses.

They will also receive hair and make-up deals. The carnival queen will be expected to represent the town at other town council events during the year like Sands of Time.

How to enter

So, here's what carnival queen hopefuls have to do to enter.

They should send a head and shoulders photograph of themselves to the Observer with some brief details about themselves.

The newspaper will publish all the candidates' photos and their names and ages to enable readers to vote for their favourites.

Entries have to be sent in by April 23 for the round-up the following week. There will then be a two week voting period until May 14 using a special coupon which will appear in the Observer.

The final decision will be made by the town councillors based on the number of votes cast.

They will interview the most popular contenders and discuss the role with them.

The information supplied by candidates must include contact details, which will not be published.

Entries should be sent to Bognor Regis Observer, 14 Station Road, Bognor Regis PO21 1QE.

They can also be e-mailed to carnivalqueen@ bognortoday.co.uk with the photos as jpeg attachments.

'¢ The last beauty contest to take place in Bognor occurred in 2004 to mark the 75th anniversary of the award of the 'Regis' suffix.

Well over 20 young women put themselves forward to become the first Miss Regis. Nine were selected for the final.

The contest was organised by a Bognor businessman who was pleased with the outcome.

Miss Regis was chosen the night before the carnival where she performed her first role.

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