The man who coined the name Hotham Park

When I first arrived in the town in 1979, I was unaware of its history. But through the Local History Society I learnt of the rich history of the district.

Through the society, I was introduced to research and the name of Gerard Young. The name will evoke many happy memories for Bognorians, and for those who have no knowledge of this man I will explain.

His claim to fame was as a historian, artist and journalist, who did much to preserve the town's past. He was born in Leigh on Sea, in Essex, and was educated at a preparatory school in Worthing. He had a sister, Patricia, and a brother, Derek.

He was an early developer and had his first poem published when he was 11 years old in the Worthing press. He continued to write and, on leaving school, he took a management course at London's Embassy Theatre.

He eventually became a publicity officer with Gaumont British Film Company.

By 1933, he was a regular visitor to Aldwick, and finally moved to Meadow Cottage in Hoe Lane, Flansham in 1938.

This house now has one of the Arun blue plaques attached to the garden wall.

For the young Gerard, living in Worthing was his ideal place. A visit to Bognor was out of the question, as the bus '“ the number 31 '“ took too long.

Derek recalled: 'Bognor remained for us a place of mystery, somewhere way out west beyond the setting sun and imbued with all the romance and fascination of the unknown.'

He finally moved permanently to the town and in 1956 joined the Bognor Post.

He was a regular contributor with his historical and sometimes controversial articles. Gerard was also greatly involved in amateur theatrical groups, repertory theatre and the Esplanade Theatre.

In addition, he was well known for providing talks on old Bognor and visiting local schools. Sadly he died in 1972 and that could have been the end of his work.

In my early days in the Bognor Regis Local History Society, there were numerous occasions when the name of Gerard Young was mentioned or quoted in relation to things historical.

It was not until 1982 that I had my real introduction to this man, who appeared to have created such a following. In March, 1982, his brother, Derek Young, was invited to speak at the Bognor Regis Local History Society.

The members learnt about his brother, then the history society published a limited edition booklet recording this talk by Derek remembering his brother and their early years.

One of his first poems in 1923 was about the sea for which he had a passion.

'The sea, a wonderful expanse.

Of restless and thunderous waves.

Many a boat on her bosom afloat.

The terrible hurricane braves '¦.'

During the 16 years that he lived in Meadow Cottage, he became totally involved with the community.

He was a prominent member of the amateur dramatic group Barnstormers, where he produced many of their plays.

He wrote a number of books which are still sought after today, namely Down Hoe Lane, the Chronicle of a Country Cottage, Meadow Cottage and The Cottage in the Fields.

These books became firm favourites both locally and with people abroad.

His articles regularly were published in the national press and numerous Catholic magazines.

However, it is for his local history writings that he will be most remembered.

Over the years, he gathered information, pictures, books, snaps and titbits, indeed anything about Bognor Regis.

His articles covered such a wide range of subjects, but above all they brought local history to the fore.

He encouraged people to think about their surroundings; to remember

the past and build on it for the future.

After the second world war, a large garden became available as a park for the town, following the death of owner William Fletcher.

Gerard became interested in the story of the park and its history, and referred to it as Hotham's Park, until it was officially confirmed that it would be known as Hotham Park.

People would supply him with information, and their memories of the area and the period back to 1900.

These memories were then transformed into the readable style of the Gerard Young column in the Bognor Post.

At the time of his death, he was working on a major publication on the history of the town.

Following Derek Young's talk to the history society in 1982, the publisher '“ who was hopeful that the work would come to fruition '“ contacted me, as I was secretary of the local history society.

Derek, who was also a journalist, finished his brother's work and it is thanks to them both that we are able to read the History of Bognor Regis, published by Phillimore in 1983.

In 1988, I was given permission by the family to reproduce his Gerard's book, The Chronicle of a Country Cottage.

Derek came to the book launch at the museum in Hotham Park and afterwards he visited Meadow Cottage, and I felt very lucky to be invited to accompany him. I was then able to experience the cottage, which had so inspired Gerard to write his books.

Following Derek's talk to the Bognor Regis Local History Society, he realised the interest of Bognor people for his brother's work and the affection in which they still held him.

As a result Derek decided to donate Gerard's books, folders and papers to the Bognor campus library of Chichester University, for the benefit of the public.

However, much of this collection has now been transferred to the West Sussex Record Office in Chichester.

A small percentage of the collection still is retained here in Bognor Regis which can be accessed at the learning resource centre within its archive service.

These documents are available to view, although an appointment has to be made to view them. The Gerard Young Collection, as it is now known, is often the main source of both mine and many other local historians' research.

Schools, organisations and companies also make use of the material available.

All of us owe a debt to Gerard; for without his love of Bognor, his dedication in encouraging people to appreciate their home town and his collecting of anything and everything, we would not have any basis on which to do much of our research.

Thank you, Gerard and Derek Young.