Tributes as town prepares for revamp

A brief service paid tribute to the founder of Bognor Regis as the town's regeneration gathers pace.

About 15 individuals gathered around the grave of Sir Richard Hotham at St Mary Magdelene Church in South Bersted to mark the anniversary of his foundation of the resort.

Last Friday's ceremony marked the 221st anniversary of that start.

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It came just before the latest exhibition about 100m redevelopment of seafront and town centre sites gets underway today.

A host of other schemes, said to take the total investment to 550m, is also gaining momentum.

The intention is to prepare Bognor for a prosperous and economically-secure future as the 21st century unfolds.

Arun District Council deputy chairman Cllr Ash Patel said the ambitious and far-reaching plans would improve the town for everyone.

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He stated: 'It is, therefore, extremely appropriate that we are gathered here today to remember the man who put Bognor on the map in the first place back in the 19th century.

'As we look forwards to a new and exciting future for Bognor, we also look back to the town's first and most influential benefactor as a benchmark of success, and only hope to reach a similar level of achievement.'

His comments were supported by Bognor Regis town mayor Cllr Don Eldridge.

They each placed a basket of foliage gathered from Hotham Park on Sir Richard's grave to represent Bognor's present.

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A further basket for the town's future was placed by South Bersted CoE Primary School pupils Connor Mavers (10) and Iveta Baniulyte (11).

Bognor Regis Local History Society chairman Kay Fall used a fourth basket to signify the town's past.

The annual service was led for the last time by St Mary's vicar, the Rev David Thornley.

He told those present he had seen many changes for the better during the 15 years he had been conducting the occasion.

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'For many people, it is a much more exciting place to live now than it was 15 years ago.

'Quite a bit of Bognor was looking quite run down then. There now seems to be a new sense of excitement among many people,' he said.

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