Press Release Archive
September 2008
Bloomin’ Marvellous Results For Bognor Regis!
Bognor in Bloom Wins a silver gilt & is Category Winner
Bognor Regis scooped top awards in the South & South East In Bloom awards announced last week at a glittering ceremony at The Hawth in Crawley, sponsored and supported by Southern Water.
The event, attended by hundreds of entrants from across the region was a celebration of the efforts made by thousands of people to make their communities a better place.
Bognor Regis entered the Costal Resort category, and this year not only improved on the Silver won last year by being awarded a Silver-Gilt, but was also crowned the category winner for 2008.
If that was not enough, Bognor Regis also clinched one of the Judges’ special discretionary ‘Water Wise’ Awards, for the efforts made within Hotham Park to use so-called grey water instead of fresh water. Rainwater is collected off the roofs of the buildings within the old coach yard in the park and stored within large containers and used around the site watering-in the thousands of new shrubs and trees currently being planted as part of Hotham Parks’ restoration, funded in part by the National Lottery.
The Bognor in Bloom Working Party who co-ordinate both the town’s entry into the South & South East in Bloom competition and the local ‘Bognor In Bloom’ competition, hope that this years results will not only show that Bognor Regis can be proud, but also encourage more people to become involved in next year’s campaign.
Despite the title, the In Bloom competition is about far more than just flowers, it has become more of an environmental audit. The town was not only marked on its flora and fauna, but also the cleanliness of the streets, community awareness and involvement, environment, water conservation and recycling.
The judges were particularly impressed with the partnership between the In Bloom Working Party, Bognor Regis Town and Arun District Councils, all of which played a key role in this year’s bid, but also the use of modern mediums such as Facebook to further spread the message and inform people how they can become involved and view current progress.
Chairman Jason Passingham said, “We are thrilled to have achieved such great results, and the additional discretionary award was unbelievable. It goes to show that when people work together great things can happen”.
Phillipa Dart from Arun District Council’s Parks and Green Spaces said “This is a wonderful result for the town, and we hope that we can improve on this further still next year, by entering Hotham Park for a Green Flag award. The restoration will be finished and it would be a great ending to a project that has been several years in the making”.
The In Bloom Working Party are currently finalising arrangements for their own awards next month, to celebrate the effort made by residents and business around the town in the ‘Bognor In Bloom’ competition. Once the results are announced we will bring them to your through the Bognor Regis Observer.
The In Bloom campaign is all year round, and although the main floral season is coming to end, residents and visitors alike can continue to support the cause by purchasing one of the exclusive tote bags from Unique Promotions in The Arcade. Costing just £2.99, with 90p from each sale going towards next year’s improvements, so you can not only help the environment by using less plastic bags, but also help Bognor Regis become a far nicer place to live, work and visit.
Blooming Good Show!
Whilst the summer that we nearly had may seem a long time ago, and the dark nights have now drawn in, the very best of Bognor’s gardeners attended the annual Bognor in Bloom Awards at the Town Hall last month, to collect certificates and trophies for each of the many categories in the local competition.
Everyone considered the evening a great success, which also served to thank all those who had contributed in some shape or form to making the town look good over the summer months. The gathering also doubled-up as a celebration of the progression from Silver to Silver-Gilt in the Resort category of the regional South & South East in Bloom Competition, a scoring which had eluded the town in recent years.
All winners and runners-up in the many classes received certificates, with some also walking away with shields or trophies sponsored by organisations and companies in the town, including the Civic Society, Chamber of Commerce, Seafront lights and iResolutions Website Design. A total of eleven Certificates of Excellence awarded by the regional judges were also presented, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the town’s campaign or where they had been particularly impressed when they inspected the resort back in early July.
The Chairman of the Bognor in Bloom Working Party, Cllr Jason Passingham said, “A lot of work went into this year’s campaign by so many people so it was nice for us to have an evening where we could enjoy and reflect on what has been a very successful year. We already have lots of ideas for 2009 when we really will be pulling out all the stops to get the elusive Gold. In addition, we will be marking our local competition along RHS lines, so everyone who enters will get certificates for Bronze, Silver, Silver-Gilt and Gold. This will mean that our ceremony next year could be even bigger!”
January 2006
FIELD HOUSE FOUNDATION STONE RESCUED WHILE NORLAND NURSES LIVE ON
By Jeanne Hambleton
The chairman of the town council’s planning and licensing committee, councillor Don Eldridge, has been keeping a watchful eye on Field House in Gloucester Road and The Esplanade. The historical building, built in 1908, was due to be demolished by developers and replaced with new all purposes flats to meet the demand for one parent families and first time buyers.
A historical geographer, Don Eldridge took a particular interest in this block of purpose built flats opened in 1909 at 4 Field Row, as the Bognor branch of the Norland Nurseries. He had studied the history of Bognor at the University College of Chichester and researched many of the local historical buildings.
As chairman of the planning committee, with members, councillor Don Eldridge had earlier considered a planning application to demolish the 16 ancient flats and redevelop the site with 24 modern flats. In March the recommendation made to the Local Planning Authority – Arun District Council - was that the proposal was an appalling destruction of a fine 1907 Edwardian property, although it was recognised the building was in need of restoration. Councillors agreed the building had been an asset to the town and felt it should be retained as a historic heritage and they were opposed to the “mass of glass” and modern structure.
As the town council had objected to the application, this was considered by the development control committee at the Civic Centre and the town council was invited to support its objections. – Don Eldridge defended the town council’s views.
At that meeting he asked that some artefacts be rescued for posterity. Luke Leleu from Hamlet Homes agreed to help if he could.
Controlled by Government planning guidelines Arun District Council could find no reason to object to the application and permission was granted. During the demolition Luke Leleu salvaged the foundation stone and delivered it safely to the Bognor Regis Museum.
IN HINDSIGHT
Don Eldridge told the Bognor Observer, “Building construction had progressed so much in recent years, that I realised it would not be economical to try to adapt the original building to meet the required regulations. I was pleased that we were at least able to salvage the foundation stone and that it is safe in the Museum. On reflection I know Arun District Council made the only decision open to them, but we still regret the loss of this and some of the fine historical buildings from by-gone days.”
FIELD HOUSE AND THE NORLAND NURSES
Emily Mary Jane Lord, born in 1850, the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Lavender Hill, Battersea, married Mr Walter Ward. In poor health herself Mrs Ward agreed with a Dr Davis that Bognor was the resort in which to rear rosy children. She and her husband settled in Bognor and built Field House flats. These were used by her own trained Norland Nurses to look after children on holiday in the town “in relays”. Field House was officially opened in 1909 and was constantly filled with visitors including three Greek Princesses. During the 1920s the House was extended with additions and extensions.
On 15th June 1930, suffering with a weakened heart, the remarkable Mrs Ward, died. But her achievements live on and her nurses still go out to families. The Norland College now based in Bath, is under the control of Mrs Kay Crosse who is the principal.
The college is internationally recognised as the premier provider of child care training and education. Norland trained early years professionals are employed world-wide as Nannies, Nursery Nurses and in other positions in a variety of early years settings. Norland graduates earn the top salaries, hold the most sought after posts and enjoy a busy life often working for the rich and famous. Such is the reputation of the quality of training at Norland College that the demand for Norland graduates always exceeds supply.
…end….
October 2005
A SHARING CARING BIRTHDAY FOR TOWN HALL
Local residents born in Bognor Regis during October 1930 are being invited to a special birthday celebration at the Town Hall. Those living in any of the four wards of the town with a 75th birthday at this time will be asked to share their celebration with the Town Hall itself.
Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs Sylvia Olliver, who has a birthday just before the celebration. said, “We thought it would be a lovely idea to share the Town Hall’s special birthday with local residents of the same age. We have no idea how many local residents would have been born in Bognor Regis in October 1930. But however many there are, the Town Council wants to share their birthday with the Town Hall and particularly those Bognorians born on 6th October 1930.”
Cllr Mrs Olliver added, “We use this building every day for meetings, business and dealing with problems and we do take it for granted. Councillors and staff from the Town Council and Arun District Council walk the corridors of the Town Hall 5 days a week 52 weeks a year going about their civic business. This building plays an important part in our civic life.
“We are proud to entertain visitors in the Council Chamber and those four walls have seen a lot of activity over the years with different councils with their various policies. The Town Hall survived World War II and we should be proud this civic building is still giving us good service. The Town Council wants to celebrate this special 75th birthday of the Town Hall with local people.”
The Town Mayor, a well known local historian, will be exhibiting tea time china in the Town Council display cabinet during this period.
The birthday celebration is due to take place on Thursday afternoon, 6th October, in the Town Hall, but the final details are yet to be confirmed. It has been confirmed a special birthday cake will be ordered for the celebration tea party
Arun District Council, who currently owns the Town Hall, will be asked to give permission for a “Happy Birthday” banner to be erected on the building for the happy event.
July 2005
FLOWER POWER
 |
|
Conscious that judges from the South East in Bloom competition will be visiting the town between 4 and 15 July to consider the town’s entry into the competition, the Town Council has planted red, white and blue flowers to form the letters VE and VJ in a seafront mound in front of Mountbatten Court.
Town Mayor Cllr Mrs Sylvia Olliver told the Observer, “We wanted to do something to commemorate the World War II victories and it was felt planting flowers in the shape of the letters VE and VJ would be a gentle reminder.
Cllr Mrs Olliver said she was appealing to local residents to make a special effort to tidy up their gardens and their own environment, especially between 4 and 15 July. This will show the judges that Bognor Regis residents take a pride in their town she said.
This week Cllr Mrs Olliver with Hannah Reid, an ADC Parks Officer, will be judging entries for the bright & bold garden design competition. In partnership with Arun District Council, the Town Council has again invited the Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows of Bognor Regis to design a special flowerbed arrangement for the area outside the Town Hall. The winners of the 3 classes with age ranges of 5 to 7, 7 to 10 and 11 to 16, will be invited with Guiders to help with the planting of the flowers provided by the Town Council later in the month and encouraged to watch their designs grow and mature.
July 2005
Birdman Stories
3rd September 2000
Vince Hallett flies 5.9 metres and remains airborne for 2.1 seconds.
Vince Hallett from the Elizabeth II public house in the Steyne is typical of many people who enter the Birdman Rally every year which is held in Bognor Regis on the Pier. A few jump seriously to try to beat the 100m mark and win the cash prize but most just do it for charity and a laugh, Vince was one of these and was raising money for Howard Ward at St.Richards Hospital in Chichester.
Vince preparing himself for the launch
Vince says o'dear what am I doing here
It's a long way down there
Copy of Report in the Bognor Regis Observer Thursday September 7, 2000.
Extract from Kevin Smiths Report on that day.
Event record holder leads the way as Bognor's winged experts make their presence felt.
Home town talent out in force for flying fest
Record holder David Bradshaw was among a flock of Bognorian Birdmen and women at Sunday's event.
The super six certainly made the home town's presence felt in this year's flights of the fantasies.
The turnout of residents was the best for many years.
Most were just elated to have survived a moment to which they have been building up for as long as six months.
Some were also happy to have raised some money for charity with their airborne antics which averaged less than two seconds.
But for David Bradshaw the day contained only disappointment.
He clocked a so far unbeatable 89.2m in 1992. That distance has stood supreme in all weathers and against all competitors.
Eight years later, and youth worker David (27) lived down to his pre-flight assessment.
He managed little more than a tenth of his record flight. He achieved his 9.28m by staying in the air for 1.84secs.
He built up the tension with a lengthy pre-flight routine. All eyes along the seafront were focused on the figure and his Old Hang glider with Adjustments perched on the edge of the ramp.
The minutes ticked by and then came David's moment in destiny.
It fulfilled his prediction: "If the wind's westerly and 5mph, someone will do 100m. But a lot of these guys have more experience and my hang glider is very old."
David's distance, however was still far superior to any other attempt by Bognor's entrants.
The People's Choice, aka Richard Andrews, managed 6.44m, Vince Hallett with his replica of the QEII liner made 5.9m in the afternoon's first flight, while youngest competitor Mel Smith's Dolly Bird in a Plane achieved 5.54m.
Samantha Andrews (20), back again after last year's first time, achieved 4.8m with her bike and then there was the penguin clad Monika Smith, with 2.8m.
Penguins can't fly, said the reporter for the Bognor Regis Guardian before she jumped. How true that proved.
But she achieved her aim of publicising the BY2K heritage project and the forthcoming Sands of Time festival.
Then there was the fact she wanted to mark the millennium and her 50th birthday by doing something silly. She also had the satisfaction of clinching second place in the most amusing entry category. She left the seafront clutching £100.
© Portsmouth Publishing and Printing Ltd. 2000
Vince takes the leap with the flying QEII © The News Studio
Article from Bognor Regis Observer Thursday November 23, 2000
Kids cash in from a leap of faith
A small step for a Bognor Regis man has represented a leap into the hi-tech future for children in hospital.
Vince Hallett took the single pace off Bognor Pier to launch this year's Birdman Rally.
The result of this entry with the QEII liner was a computer which he handed over to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester this week.
Mr. Hallett presented the IT equipment to Howard Ward on Monday.
His 5.9m flight in September's Birdman raised almost £700.
Mr. Hallett, who is the assistant manager at the QEII pub in The Steyne, said: "I'd rather raise money for children than anything else.
"Everyone who has children knows they have to go into hospital at some time.
"I've been down here 18 months and I saw last year's Birdman and knew that I wanted to do it.
"It was a laugh and I loved it. I'm going to be doing it next year."
Mr. Hallett said his QEII model, made largely of polystyrene, cost £14.03 for materials and six hours to make.
The model lasted longer than most Birdmen's props, by floating on the water in one piece until Mr. Hallett brought it ashore. © Portsmouth Publishing & Printing Ltd. 2000
Bognor Birdman Vince Hallett presents the computer and Pudsey Bear to Howard Ward of St Richards Hospital. Pictured are (from left) Les Johnson, Landlord of the Elizabeth II, administrator Karen Hopkins, birdman Vince Hallett, Ward sister Melanie Munn and patients George Pigden (seated) and Hugo van Heck. © The News Studio 2000
May 2005
Bognor Regis Town Council
Supports Local Groups
Bognor Regis Town Council gave over £50,000 to 14 voluntary groups on Monday evening as part of the annual awards for sponsorship, cultural, partnership and environmental projects.
Town Mayor Councillor Mrs Sylvia Olliver told the Observer, “As a Town Council we are proud to support these volunteers, not only for their good work, but to help them drive their projects forward. Councillors are pleased to help the people who, for no reward, give their time and efforts to benefit others. We consider this a worthwhile partnership – the Council supplying funds and the volunteers doing their bit and spending the funds wisely to benefit the town’s folk. ”
This biggest award of £13,500, which went to Bognor Regis Seafront Lights, was split with £9,000 for maintenance and replacement of the lights and £4,500 for events – Here Comes Summer and the Illuminations Gala. The Deputy Mayor Cllr. Mrs Jeanette Warr collected the cheque as a member of the group.
The awards which amounted to £51,850 also helped the Sammy Bus, CAB, CVS, Shopmobility, the Hotham Park Heritage Trust, the Local History Society and Museum, the Regis School of Music, Arun Sounds, Bognor Film Productions for the “End of the Pier Festival”, Hotham Park Heritage Trust Country Fair, and the Festival of History, who were not at the meeting. The Town Council also gave a £2,000 donation towards the District Council’s CCTV project.
At the meeting Mrs Joan Aubrey Jones thanked the Town Council and said without the initial funding the Hotham Park Country Fair could not have become a reality. The Fair attracted visitors to the town and was enjoyed by many local people. Without the help of the Town Council the thousands of people who took part and came to the Fair, would not now be making plans for the next annual event.
…ends…
January 2005
SWITCH ON DATE FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS
As the town’s Christmas lighting for 2004 was switched off at the weekend a new town council Christmas Illuminations Committee agreed to switch them on again on Saturday 19th November.
It all began in the early 1970s when a local businessman, John Fenton, complained the town looked dowdy. He offered to donate £10 towards lighting up the town if others would make the same gesture. His gesture was successful and for some years the town has enjoyed festive lighting at Christmas.
When the town council agreed in November to take responsibility for the Christmas lighting after months of uncertainty fears that the festive lighting could finally be switched off permanently were forgotten by the group of hard working volunteers. The Christmas illuminations committee had been facing crippling costs with £4,000 of the £7,000 financial support from the Town Council spent on insurance and health and safety. With just £3,000 of their budget left, replacing lighting and maintenance became more and more difficult. Last July the committee agreed there would be a final switch off on January 6. The Town Council had regularly contributed to the Christmas illuminations over the years while local sponsorship dwindled to family businesses and local traders.
|
|
|
Town Mayor Mrs Sylvia Olliver told the Observer, "I am so happy the Christmas lights will continue. Without that £10, considered generous at the time, which attracted more funding, Bognor Regis could still be without Christmas illuminations. The festive lighting brings magic to the town, which the children love to see, and it also encourages visitors from outside Bognor Regis to shop here boosting the local economy. People often tell me they bring their children to see the lights and go shopping at the same time. The Town Council has always tried to help local businesses. We sponsor a number of events throughout the year for residents and to encourage visitors to our town."
THE WAY AHEAD
At the first meeting of the new town council committee councillor Rob Gillibrand was elected chairman and Adrian Hay, chairman of the former Christmas lighting group, and Pip Frederick, the group’s secretary, became non-voting co-opted members. Other councillors who are members of the committee are the Town Mayor, Mrs Jenny Gillibrand (vice chairman) Mr Ken Scutt and Mrs Jeanette Warr.
Chairman Rob Gillibrand said, “This is a very exciting time for Bognor Regis and with the Town Council behind the Christmas lights it will help to facilitate new ideas and partnerships with other interested bodies. I would like to see the November switch on become a much bigger event with live music and Santa riding a sleigh through the London Road. We will be discussing this and many other ideas through the coming year”.
He added, “I realise there are many issues around the lack of commercial sponsorship, but perhaps with a more meaningful event it may increase the profile of the town as a more rewarding Christmas shopping experience and bring more people into the town, helping to change the perceptions of the retail sector.”
Adrian Hay, who had worked with the festive lights for 30 years and who admitted he was “passionate” about the Christmas lights, said he was very pleased to be part of the new committee and would help all he could. Pip Frederick said there had been times when the volunteers considered abandoning the festive lighting, but they had been persuaded to continue by Adrian Hay “for the sake of the children”.
It was agreed the official handover of the lighting units and supporting system will be at the end of January. Deputy Town Clerk Glenna Frost said the estimated insurance costs as part of the town council’s insurance package, would be hundreds of pounds rather than thousands. Delighted at this news Adrian Hay suggested this would eventually release funds from the budget for new units.
Adrian Hay said the last three years had been spent easing the installation of the lighting system and panels could now be plugged into sockets allowing the illuminations to be dismantled in half a day. At the meeting the committee agreed that a contract should be offered to a local electrical contractor. The contractor would be responsible for erecting the Christmas lights, maintenance and repairs during the festive lighting period with regular inspections, setting up the lighting up system, and removing the lights in January. Information will be posted on the town council’s notice board and will be available from the town council offices at the Town Hall. Anyone expressing an interest should contact the town council on 01243 867744 by the 31st January.
From Jeanne Hambleton
Summer 1999
Photograph supplied by James Clevett
COVETED SEASIDE BEACH AWARD FOR BOGNOR REGIS
Beach safety, water quality standards, cleanliness and lack of litter were just four of the 29 categories in which Bognor Regis seaside beaches qualified when the town was awarded the prestigious Seaside Award flag this summer.
The flag raising ceremony which took place on The Bandstand on the sea front at Bognor Regis, was carried out by the Town’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mrs Sylvia Olliver "with pride".
The Town Council has described the award as a boost to the tourism of Bognor Regis.
Bognor Regis has good beaches, which can be enjoyed by all the family. The weather outlook is good and the Town Council hopes that lots of people will come and enjoy the facilities and various events taking place this summer.
The beaches are described as one of the district’s finest natural assets – which were recognised by the Tidy Britain Group who are responsible for the Seaside Awards.
Bognor Regis was judged on beach safety and supervision, water quality standards, cleanliness, no litter, oil or rotting seaweed. The Group also examined beach management, control of dog bans where appropriate, and facilities for beach users. Information must be clearly displayed to describe beach water quality, conservation and supervision times.
The Town came up with flying colours and the Seaside Award Flag.