Funding support for local events is needed

Steve Goodheart, founder of the Rox music and arts charity, which hosts a massive two-day festival on the seafront every year, made his appeal to members of the joint western Arun area committee.

He said: “In this current economic climate it is very difficult for organisations putting on local events to get funding and sponsorship from local businesses and organisations.

“With Rox every year we set a quality standard we want to achieve and every year we want to improve on that, we don’t just want to sit back.

“But in order to be able to fulfil that ambition, we need more funding and we are looking to all local authorities for that support.

“Rox is the largest free event, not just in Bognor and Arun but across the wider area. Last year we had 43,000 people attend.

“We are a community 
event that seeks to involve everyone and we are just asking for some help to be able to do that.”

The Rox festival, which is in its 23rd year, will see the town come alive with a 
host of musical melodies on July 27 and 28.

The community event is centered around the grounds of the Royal Norfolk Hotel and along the seafront from the Rock Garden and skate park to the pier.

Mr Goodheart said: “It is a phenomenal event, with five stages featuring everything from classical music to modern rock.

“Our volunteers, like me, have the energy and passion to keep this event going, 
we are just asking for a 
little help.”

Committee chairman Ann Rapnik said: “I am aware of the Rox festival and I understand the importance of it to the town.”

She told last Wednesday’s meeting the committee had been minded to grant funds of £2,000 from the £5,400 the charity had asked for.

A sum of £3,000 was then suggested.

West Sussex county councillor for the Middleton division, Joan Phillips, asked if this could be increased 
to £4,000.

This was agreed by all county councillors on the committee, which encompassed members from county, district, town and parish councils.