Rox makes jubilant return to spiritual home

Some 15,000 arts and music fans welcomed Rox home to Bognor Regis seafront.

The total turnout delighted organisers of last weekend's music and arts festival.

They estimated as many as 3,500 people were on the promenade at any one time as a constant stream of people came and went throughout the two days of entertainment.

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The event breezed into town as if it had never been away as almost 40 acts appeared on two stages.

Rox trustee Phil Davis said: 'There was a marked difference on previous years as the crowds started appearing before a single note was even played, which was a pleasant surprise and demonstrated the air of anticipation surrounding the event.'

Among the performers to benefit from the presence of the large crowd was Chichester-based Lauren Halliday. The 23-year-old, who grew up in Felpham, said: 'It was brilliant. It was very good to see Rox back on the seafront.

'It is a fantastic festival, one of the few of its kind around.

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'There were a lot of different ages there and a variety of music. It is good to give younger people the chance to watch live music. There are not many places around here where they can do that.'

Described by a Rox spokesman as a local star in the making for her flawless set, Lauren first appeared at Rox as an 11-year-old after she had learnt to play the guitar.

The festival was on the seafront then and this year's was the first back there since 2001. It was blessed with sunny weather on both days, even though it poured on the first night shortly after the close.

But the event did have a sombre side. The festival was dedicated to the memory of volunteer Ron Hildreth, who died in June.

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A Rox spokesman said: 'As the sun finally set on Rox 2007, he would surely have been pleased to see the happy smiling faces of the huge crowd.

'This suggested it had been money well spent. In Rox, Bognor has something to be proud of that is unique, that belongs to the whole community and that needs ongoing support from all areas.

'The thousands of people of all ages who attended aired their views with one combined voice on several occasions, giving a clear indication that now that Rox has made it back to its spiritual home on the seafront, they want it back for good.

'Rox 2008... put it in your diary now.'

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