Thousands raised as Bognorphenia takes to West Park

With the weather arguably the best it has been all year, crowds headed to West Park for the third outing of the community fuelled vintage event.

Founder Kez Bridger said “It was amazing on the day, after the worry all week, the sun was out.”

Launched in 2014 by Ms Bridger and her team, the day is all about mods, music and making a difference in the town.

“It is about working together. I have learnt a lot in the last 15 years doing events and I want to create something that is sustainable as a not-for-profit business.

“Generally it was a really good day and by the sounds of it we raised just more than £4,000.”

The children’s workshops, a highlight for Ms Bridger, are just one aspect that makes Bognorphenia stand out.

She said: “It is a bit different, we are not a scooter rally, I was determined to be something different - something that celebrates the past, present and future of Bognor.”

The latter is something Ms Bridger really wants to secure and this runs through both her focus on children and the community.

She said: “My vision is to have a big event on day that everyone comes to.”

Speaking of the future, the 2017 event is already in the planning stages.

“The ideas is to try Hotham Park next year, then we will have done West Park, the promenade and Hotham and see where it works best for us, for the community and for the council.”

For more about this year’s event, and the future plans, see this week’s Observer.