Mayor of Bognor Regis' Weekly Briefing: Remembrance Sunday an important and solemn day

On Sunday, Bognor Regis Town Council, in association with ex-service associations, Saint Wilfrid’s Church, The Salvation Army and RAFA 381 Branch Choir, held the annual Remembrance Sunday Service, outside the Town’s War Memorial in Clarence Road. The streets were lined with hundreds of people, who had gathered to pay their respects, on this important and solemn day. The arrival of the Parade, featuring Veterans, Cadets and Service personnel, was extremely poignant, as we witnessed the connection between generations – those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who represent the future of our Armed Forces.

The service was led by Father Hodges of our Parish Church, and we thank him for his continued support in leading these services over recent years. Music throughout was provided by The Salvation Army Band, while the RAFA 381 Branch Choir joined us for the first time, adding their voices to the hymns and making the occasion even more special.

During the Service, wreaths were laid by dignitaries, including the Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mrs Alison Moorey, alongside Chairs of neighbouring Parishes and representatives from West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council. I was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of Bognor Regis Town Council, accompanied by my Mayor’s Cadet and the Town Clerk. Representatives from the service associations, local organisations and Cadets also laid wreaths, each paying their respects and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

My sincere thanks go to everyone who helped make the occasion such a fitting tribute, particularly Father Hodges, Mike Monk, Chair of the Royal Air Force Association Bognor Regis, Company Sergeant Major Aden Huff, Veteran Nigel Ede, Graham Paul, the Salvation Army Band, our bugler, Alf Hughes, my Mayor’s Cadet, the Town Crier and all Town Council staff, including the Town Clerk and our dedicated Town Force Team, for their support in organising and delivering the Service and Parade.

Following the Service, wreath layers, dignitaries and representatives of the participating organisations were welcomed into the Town Hall for light refreshments. This provided a valuable opportunity for everyone to come together, share reflections and remember the significance of the day.

Remembrance is not just about looking back. It is about ensuring that the sacrifices of those who came before us are not forgotten, and that the values of service, courage, duty and peace continue to be recognised by future generations.

 A date for your diaries now, next Tuesday 17th November, your Town Councillors will be out and about in the Town Centre once again, as we hold our final Councillor Drop-In Surgery of 2026. These community events offer the chance for members of the public to come and chat with your elected Councillors, about issues in our Town, that are important to you. Please do come by and see us, between 10.30am and 12.30pm, in London Road Precinct – even if you don’t have any burning questions, it would be lovely to say ‘hello’!

It’s hard to believe that the festive period is nearly upon us, and preparations are in full swing for the Town Council’s Christmas Lights Switch-On. Make sure you join us in the Town Centre on Saturday 28th November, as we countdown to the main event. We are very excited to be incorporating a festive market as part of celebrations this year, from midday. There’ll be live music from 4pm, from ‘80’s Inferno’ and at 5pm, we will be celebrating the late, great country music star Dolly Parton with a tribute act complete with her iconic songs and unmistakable glamour. Then at 6pm, the main event itself - the switching-on of the Christmas lights!  So, for an afternoon of festive magic, shopping, great music, exciting entertainment, Christmas illuminations and some magical surprises along the way, do make sure you join us as we light up Bognor Regis!