Downpour failed to extinguish ILLUMINATE parade!

A downpour of biblical magnitude brought out the best in community spirit at the ILLUMINATE Bognor parade held on August Bank Holiday Sunday. 

The parade of largely walking entries left the car park in London Road at 8.30pm sharp, to be greeted be a torrential downpour and gusts of wind that immediately destroyed lanterns that had been carefully crafted in the previous weeks, and drenching all involved. 

Organisers at Bognor Regis Seafront Lights asked if the hardy souls wished to abandon ship and the consensus was to carry on! 

Lights Chairman Jason Passingham explained that the downpour only lasted a matter of minutes and the crowds then re-appeared from their shop front shelters; “It was the strangest experience to have the audience start clapping as we marched past like drowned rats. It made one feel very proud to be British!” 

All bar one entrant managed to make it to the prize-giving on the Place St Maur, to be entertained by the Bloc du Sul samba band from Dorking, who had continued to play all through the drenching “just like the orchestra on the deck of the Titanic!” jested Jason. 

Sadly the sudden wind was too strong to allow the fireworks to go ahead from the Pier, a traditional finale in the town to the long summer holidays. The wind and rain had already caused the associated funfair on the seafront to stay firmly shut all Saturday. 

The depleted crowds during the parade and for the fireworks meant that the street collection of £164.54 was around half what it was usually, compounding the difficulties the lighting group is facing this year due to significant costs to bring the lights’ infrastructure up to standard. The group launched a public appeal via the Crowdfunder platform which is still open, or donations can be left at Heygates Bookshop at the railway station. 

The parade itself was sponsored by Bognor Regis Town Council who also support the lights themselves. 

One of the entrants, Arlan West had travelled all the way from North Devon to enter his homemade lifeboat and was duly rewarded with a first prize in his category. 

The parade winners were as follow. Best Large Group: 1st Raise the Roof (Suzanne Hill School of Dance). 2nd Bognor Regis Operatic Society. 3rd - Rotary Club of Bognor Hotham.

Best Solo / Small Group: 1st Nightingale Care. 2nd Someone's Mum. 3rd - Moonlight Marchers.

Best Mobility Aid / Pram: 1st Arlan West. 2nd Sussex Violinist. 3rd Cycle Bognor.