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Things to do in Bognor Regis


PLACE NAMES




Bognor Regis
Belmont Street, Bognor Regis - 01243 823140
bognorregis.vic@arun.gov.uk


Bognor is one of the oldest recorded Saxon place names in Sussex. In a document of 680AD it is referred to as Bucgan ora meaning Bucge's (a female Saxon name) shore, or landing place.

Bognor Regis is a seaside resort town and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, on the south coast of England. It lies 55.5 miles (89 km) south southwest of London, 24 miles (39 km) west of Brighton, and 6 miles (10 km) southeast of the county town of Chichester. Other nearby towns include Littlehampton east northeast and Selsey to the southwest. The nearby villages of Felpham, briefly home to the poet William Blake, and Aldwick are now suburbs of Bognor Regis, along with those of North and South Bersted.

Bognor Regis was originally named just "Bognor", being a fishing (and one time, smuggling) village until the 18th century, when it was converted into a resort by Sir Richard Hotham. Tourism gradually took off over the next hundred years, the area being chosen as an ideal location for King George V to convalesce in during 1929, the King and Queen actually staying at Craigwell House Aldwick; as a result, the King was asked to bestow the "Regis" ("of the King") suffix on "Bognor".

Legend has it that the King's last words, upon being told that he would soon be well enough to revisit the town, were "Bugger Bognor!" Although there is little evidence that these words were actually uttered in this context, and although the sea air helped the King to regain his health, it is certain that the King had little regard (to put it mildly) for the town.

Bognor was a part of the ancient parish of South Bersted in the county of Sussex, attaining parish status separate from South Bersted in 1828. Until 1894 it formed part of the Hundred of Aldwick, an ancient division of Chichester Rape. From 1894 to 1974 it was part of Bognor Urban District (Bognor Regis Urban District from 1929), and since 1974 it has been a part of Arun District.

The historic meeting of the crews (and associated handshake) of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project on 17 July 1975 was supposed to have taken place over Bognor Regis, but a flight delay caused it to occur over Metz in France instead.

Bognor Regis town centre was damaged in 1994 by an IRA device left in a bicycle outside Woolworths. 15 shops were damaged but no injuries occurred.

On the beach between Bognor Regis and Aldwick lies the wreck of a Floating Pontoon. It is part of the Mulberry Harbour which was towed across to Normandy on D-Day June 6, 1944. This particular section of Mulberry didn't make it across the channel and was washed up on the beach shortly after D-Day. It is clearly visible at low tide throughout the year.

The International Bognor Birdman was an annual competition for human-powered 'flying' machines held each summer in Bognor Regis. Contestants launch themselves from the end of the pier; a prize being awarded to the one who glides the furthest distance. Rarely taken completely seriously, the event provides competitors with an opportunity to construct improbable machines complete with outlandish dress. The spectacle drew a sizeable crowd in addition to the local media. Inaugurated in nearby Selsey in 1971, the Birdman transferred to Bognor in 1978 when it had outgrown its original location. Such celebrities as Richard Branson are famous for taking the leap of faith.

The Birdman Event of 2008 was transferred to Worthing at the '11th hour' due to the council instructing some 79 feet (24 m) of pier to be removed in March 2008. This meant that there were question marks over the possible safety of the contestants landing in shallower water. Worthing is now the official home of the competition.

Each year Bognor Rox is held on Bognor Prom, where two stages are set up for artists to perform. The town is also home to the Bognor Regis Concert Band, who perform at various local locations and events, including the yearly "Proms in the Park".


leonedgaroldbury@yahoo.co.ukFeel free to Email me any additions or corrections


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