VIDEO: Bognor's clowns weekend a huge success

The discussions between the town council, Butlins and Clowns International will see if the clowns weekend will be held in 2010.

A series of meetings are planned to decide if the event will go ahead next March. Events officer Sue Holmes said she wanted the clowns back.

But there was no guarantee they would see any sun for their parade after it was drenched for the second year in a row.

"Whether the clowns return is all down to Butlins and Clowns' International," she said. "I would hope it's something we can carry on with.

"People do like the weekend. It's a good event for the town and it's nice and colourful to give everyone a boost."

But she commented it was always likely to be held in March. This was the traditional time for the clowns' gathering from the first of the international conventions in 1984. It had continued because it fitted the calendars of the clowns and Butlins.

"The timing of the weekend is never going to change much," Mrs Holmes explained. "There's nothing we can do about it because the staging of the event has to suit everyone.

"It was very disappointing that it rained on the parade. It was so horrible on the seafront because it was wet and windy and that kept the number of spectators down, which was a shame.

"Apart from that though, I think the weekend was a success."

Click the green play button to see a video interview with Town council events officer Sue Holmes during the clowns weekend.

The weekend began with a silver anniversary celebration in Butlins to mark 25 years since the first clowns' gathering in Bognor.

A special cake by Julie Orton provided a tasty centrepiece. Her six clown decorations were auctioned for 148 for the Clowns' International charity.

Local historians Sylvia Endacott and Shirley Lewis staged an exhibition of clown memorabilia from their 15 times in the town and Chichester Video and Filmmakers screened a 15 minute film of the 1990 parade.

Saturday (March 4) saw six clowns performing in the London Road precinct and Queensway to spread the smiles around before Sunday's March 5) big parade.

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