New Bognor Regis society chairman wants to raise profile

Mr Mewett has succeeded Kay Fall in the role she held for five years.

He said: “I want to get the number of people visiting the museum in West Street back up.

“We were 2,000-3,000 down last year compared the year before in our old premises and I want to bring the history of the town to the attention of more and more people.

“People are not aware of the history there is in the town. It’s all there if only they would take a look at it.

“And there is still a lot to be discovered about the town’s history. That’s why the local history society and the dedicated people within it are so important to the town.

“We all need to a certain extent to know where we have come from. Without a past, we cannot have a future.”

The society has about 120 members who will be re-opening its museum in the former Berkeley Arms on March 31.

New displays are promised for the new season which will last until October.

Mr Mewett, 65, of North Bersted, carried on his interest in local history when he moved to the Bognor area from Hastings 25 years ago.

A former insurance agent, he has written local history books in Hastings and Bognor.

His next book will detail the sacrifices made by Bognor’s men during the first world war.