Heart of the town remains untouched by development

This week therefore I thought we could take a look at this area of our town. Do you see just an open space providing entertainment facilities, or do you see or know of the history of the area?

There was a covenant laid down in the 1800s to ensure the view of the sea from East Row and Hothamton Place remained unhindered and a fine of 5,000 per acre could be imposed.

Sadly, the buildings of Sir Richard Hotham, which faced the square, have long since gone, but there is still a lot of history in the area.

Initially, the area was laid out and named Hothamton Field, and contained a number of fishermen's cottages.

On a plan in 1835, it was shown as Waterloo Row. However it clearly showed the '˜vacant ground' in the centre, which was not to be built on.

Daniel Wonham started building his developments in 1820. Houses were built around the field, displaying a typical style of the time with canopies and trelliswork.

By the 1870s, the population of the town had increased to 1,800 but the buildings were still principally private residents.

Many of these premises were eventually rented out during the summer months in the 1900s, at one time for 11 guineas per week. I wonder how much they would charge today?

For many years, there were sheep or cattle grazing on t he three-acre site itself and these could be seen on many of the early postcards or photographs.

It was also possible for a time to pick basketfuls of mushrooms on this field. One of the cottages was used to invite nobility to partake of home-brewed beer and by the 1870s these premises had been licensed and eventually became known as The Waterloo Inn, which is still there today.

Many of the buildings around the square were built during the 1820s in line with other developments in towm.

However a fair proportion of buildings were built 100 years laetr in the 1920s as the population of Bognor had grown to 11,490.

The square contained the town's fire station for a number of years '“ from 1874 until it was closed in 1899 '“ before being converted into a tearoom and then a garage.

There have always been numerous tearooms and restaurants around Waterloo Square, including, the strangely-named People's Dining and Tea Rooms, which can be seen in photographs from 1903.

In 1921, the council bought the land for 1,000 and, within four years, there was a major transformation of the area. During the same period, there was the development of a bowling green, where the pavilion had to be placed below eye level, so that it did not obstruct the view.

This was also opened in 1925, alongside the sunken gardens that were built at the same time.

When the council decided to build toilets and an information bureau, they had first to obtain permission from the covenanters. It was granted, but they were not allowed to obstruct the view.

In 1928, the drinking fountain was moved from the promenade to the eastern corner of the Square where it remained until its removal in 1956.

On the east side of the square facing the High Street, the Methodists bought a site for their new church, costing 10,650. It was officially opened on April 1, 1925, moving them from their previous site in the High Street.

Another part of the regeneration in the 1920s was the construction of Hotham Club.

This was formally opened in 1928 and annual subscriptions were offered at 2 2s 0d for town members and 1 1s 0d for country members.

The Hotham Club remained on these premises until 1972 when it was taken over by the RAFA Club as its new headquarters, having outgrown its ex-RAF hospital hut, from Tangmere, in London Road.

It bought its new headquarters for 21,000 - partly paid by subscription, the outstanding balance covered by loans and further subscriptions over a number of years.

The branch had originally been formed in 1945 when members used to meet in local pubs prior to moving into London Road.

Christopher Chataway, the athlete and Chichester MP, opened their new impressive premises.

It contained a Battle of Britain bar and numerous meeting rooms for use by members.

Photographs taken during the 1950s show aspects of Waterloo Square including the prominent town information bureau facing the pier.

In the 1960s, there was an entertainment marquee on the corner of the square, which had necessitated removal of the drinking fountain to a temporary holding area in the council yard, within Hotham Park.

Waterloo Square today contains many interesting areas, including the town weather station, manned 365 days a year by Todd Sweeney.

This is a job he has carried out since 1978, as he records the cloud, visibility, wind and rain.

The sunshine records for the town are obtained from the top of Fitzleet and are then delivered to the visitor centre, also the Foreshore station, on the promenade.

During the 1960s, Tony Hancock came to Bognor Regis to film The Punch and Judy Man and it is possible to catch a glimpse of Waterloo Square in the film. Later, in the 1990s, a television series called I Hope it Rains about a small seaside waxworks and museum was filmed in the premises occupied by W Jones garage.

Today, Waterloo Square has much to offer the seaside holidaymaker, with restaurants and fish and chip shops and food from across the world.

There is entertainment provided by amusement arcades and of course the popular mini golf course.

For others, there is the well-used bowling green and gardens, both old and new, constructed to allow the weary traveller a place to sit and listen to the sounds of children, or seagulls as they fly overhead.

It is also possible to have your palm read and sometimes there are stands selling items of local interest or paintings from art groups.

Whatever use you make of Waterloo Square, it is certainly at the heart of our town and provides a much-needed area of respite.

Let us hope we all continue to enjoy the facilities on offer at this heart of our seafront.