Time stands still for no one as restoration gets underway

The annual carol service will be held in Hotham Park on Saturday, December 8.

This has become popular over the past few years. The service starts at 6pm and you should bring your torches.

However, I would also urge you to go to the park earlier to have a look around at the work that is underway as part of the much-heralded restoration of the park with Heritage money.

I went into the park about ten days ago and, while it was muddy, it was busy with people walking their dogs, strollers with children and, of course, building works.

The hoarding has gone around the old Rainbow's End site '“ and it is interesting to note the large area this part of the park covers.

Many trees are being removed to open up the park.

While in the park, I was lucky enough to witness the removal of the faces of the Hotham Park clock.

The internal workings of the clock are being removed by a professional clock restorer.

The clock is being renovated for our future delight and not 'just another act of vandalism', as one walker said.

There are numerous boards around the park which provide information on the activities taking place and they are well worth a look.

One woman said the park was very muddy, with all the work '“ yes this is true but we are lucky that there are at least areas where we can still walk and watch the activities.

We have waited a long time for action. We now have to be patient as the work continues.

We all have various views on the work taking place, but the end result is the most important. The Hotham Park Heritage Trust is still working on a variety of events and there is now a website site at http://hpht.freewebpage.org/about.htm where you can keep up to date with events and various aspects of the park.

While talking about the park and thinking of the clock tower and Hotham Park House, three new Christmas cards have been produced by Unique Promotions, which show two aspects of the house and another of our pier in the snow.

These cards are available from Unique Promotions in the Arcade, Bognor Regis, and their sales will produce a donation to the Seafront Illuminations Fund.

This year, the Alexandra Theatre is presenting a Christmas pantomime from December 15 through to January 6.

It is the Wonderful World of Oz, featuring a number of TV stars.

You can find more information on www.alexandratheatre.co.uk, including prices and dates.

It is good to see a pantomime back in the town, we now need to support it by going to one of the numerous performances, and there are some early shows at 10am as well as the traditional matinee and evening shows.

What else '“ well, of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the long-running and well established annual Pagham Pram Race, held on December 26.

The fun starts at 11am from the Nyetimber windmill. Advertising for this event has already started around town, and, of course, this event raises much-needed funds for worthy causes.

It is the oldest pram race in the UK and has been organised for more than 60 years.

In recent years there have been thousands of spectators enjoying the fun as about 60 prams are pushed along the course.

We are lucky in our area that so many people give their time to arrange events while raising money for others.

That is one good reason why it is essential that we try to support these local events.

I am well aware that there are many other events organised for the month of December so it is necessary for you to keep looking at What's On and local websites to keep up to date.