GALLERY: Bognor's first Hell and High Water event

Councillor Paul Wells fell off his hobby horse for a close encounter with the sand on the beach.

And 20 jigsaw puzzle solvers got wet on the water's edge.

It was Hell and High Water time on Bognor Regis seafront for the first time on Sunday (September 13). And didn't everyone love it.

The afternoon event was devised as a piece of end-of-summer silliness by local jigsaw puzzle creator and cartoonist Mike Jupp.

He succeeded in giving the hundreds of people who went some jollity. He said: "My litmus test for this event was how much laughter I could hear.

"It's not only been the boat crews who have been wetting themselves. On that basis, this is the beginning of a really good event for Bognor.

"There's a lot of families here having a really good laugh. I'm sure it will be held again next year once it's been reviewed how well this event has gone."

The action took place in front of the promenade bandstand. Jessica made sure she was involved in as much as possible.

She said: "I'm enjoying myself. It's a good way of spending my seventh

birthday."

As well as being a pirate princess for the Cute Canute fancy dress competition with six other hopefuls, she was also a contender in the colouring competition and a contestant among the 60 or so entries in the pluck-a-duck challenge.

Her mum, Stacy Michaelis, of Clifton Road, was there with her younger daughter, Georgia, two.

"I love the event and think it's a lot of fun. The children were really excited about coming together."

Jessica's friend, Thai-Riece Bourton, six, was also taking part in the same three competitions.

Her mother, Selina Bourton, of The Steyne, said: "Thai-Riece just wanted to be the queen today. This is all good fun and it's great to be out as a family."

Other elements of Hell and High Water included the Seahorses Steeplechase, the Boggerboats Boat Race involving six crews and the Jig-it beach jigsaw puzzle challenge.

Friends Claire Griffiths, 47, of Holly House, Victoria Drive, and Mary Thomas, 58, of Victoria Drive, were among those who took on the challenge of tackling Mike Jupp's I Love Boats 1,000-piece puzzle as the tide came in.

Claire said before they started: "I'm doing this because it's unusual. It's unique to be solving a jigsaw on the sand.

"I know we could be getting wet but that's part of the fun."

One person who definitely got wet was Paul Wells. The town, district and county councillor was an early faller in one of the three steeplechase heats of 18 jockeys.

He said: "I took a bit of tumble when I got caught up with some bunting and landed on the sand. But I think councillors should get involved in events like this and join in the fun.

"This is a good event for everyone. It's something that could be built on for future years."

The event was staged by Mr Jupp with Bognor Regis Town Council.

Its events officer, Sue Holmes, said she was encouraged by the success of the inaugural afternoon.

"It's really silly but that's the whole point of the event. It's proving to be a good idea. I'm sure it can be held again next year and we can improve upon it. Now that people can see what it's about more of them will hopefully want to come along next time," she said.

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