What a legacy Sir Richard left

That article only related a small part of the story. The Hotham Park Heritage Trust '“ a grand sounding name '“ is in fact a small group of dedicated volunteers, who have relentlessly pursued, on our behalf, funding to bring the park fully into use again.

The park itself was, of course, the grounds of Sir Richard Hotham's home, and was only named Hotham Park in 1947 after the last private owner, William Fletcher died.

It has contained the much-loved Pets Corner and latterly Rainbow's End.

However it has been much more than that. It has been a haven in the centre of our town, where you can sit and contemplate; where children can run about safely without fear of traffic; where birds can flourish; where trees and shrubs have been nurtured over the years.

In 1857, the property was sold and the sale particulars make interesting and, to our modern eye, amusing reading.

The heading reads '˜A very important and valuable Freehold Estate with Noble Marine residence, standing in its own charming grounds and park-like paddocks of about forty six acres'.

The sales particulars continue with the comment that it would be suitable for a '˜Nobleman's or Gentleman's family, having extensive stabling and coach house. Beautifully arranged gardens and pleasure grounds, vinery, peach houses, pinery and ornamental farm buildings. The property is situated in a most delightful country, in the immediate vicinity of many distinguished Seats, and one of the most salubrious localities on the coast of Sussex. Within two and a half hours (by South Coast Railway) of the Metropolis'.

While this is quite a grand description, it gives you an idea of its importance at that time, and of course this has continued to be an impressive area of our town.

The grounds of the house have been used, retained and enhanced by the various owners, not least being William Fletcher who certainly ensured the area was of interest to all.

During the 1930s, a Betty Goodacre wrote in her column about Sussex gardens a detailed account of her walk through the grounds with William Fletcher, in which she detailed more than 36 varieties of exotic plants, shrubs and trees, many of which were certainly new to Bognor when he planted them.

She referred to the area as being similar to Kew Gardens.

The whole area is of importance. The walls that encircle the estate are from a bygone age, and while almost hidden in some parts, we can gain glimpses of the walls such as outside the entrance to the library, in a small walkway behind Glamis Street, as well as the more open expanses in the High Street and the Upper Bognor Road. After the second world war, there were many suggestions in the local papers and within council meetings as to the way forward for this grassed and wooded area in the centre of the town.

It was obviously prime land and could have so easily been converted into a housing estate.

Letters from residents in 1947 expressed their views that, 'Bognor has always lacked a place where, when the winds are high, residents and visitors can spend their leisure hours.'

Another person wrote: 'I had the privilege of seeing it before the war in natural beauty, and feel it would be deplorable to convert it into a modern park.' Finally on May 23, 1947, Hotham Park was opened to the public. The chairman of the council remarked: 'This is indeed a red letter day, in the amenity advancement of Bognor Regis.'

Its existence has not been without trials and tribulations, such as the time when it was thought that the house itself was going to be demolished and as such another group of very enthusiastic volunteers petitioned hard and wrote books to save this piece of our heritage, as the Friends of Hotham Park House.

They were, as we now know, successful with their efforts.

During the coming months I would suggest that you take your dog for a walk, take the children or just have a stroll through this amenity.

Take time to find the various attributes, such as the cork oak tree, the millstone table, as well as the numerous trees.

Enjoy the sound of the birds and count how many of the bird boxes you can see, (these have been installed by the Hotham Park Trust.) Many people will be able to remember the days when Pets Corner encouraged children, of all ages, to visit and see the animals and have their picture taken in the small children's seats.

I never cease to be amazed at the number of people who say, 'Oh, I had my picture taken beside Humpty Dumpty in Pets Corner'. It must be one of the most popular family photograph sites taken in Bognor Regis by visitors and residents alike.

What of the future? It is an amenity for everyone and as such we should also encourage children to use the facilities, safely, while allowing them to appreciate their surroundings. If we think about it, as an older generation we all have fond memories of the park, and wish it to continue for the future. To do this, we must encourage our young to use the park and to ensure they have their own happy memories.

However we must not think that, just because the trust has received lottery funding that this will secure everything for the future.

Volunteers are needed to help with events, such as the popular country fayre this weekend, where they need your attendance and to spend money on the wide range of activities and stalls that are arranged.

This event raises much needed cash for other activities. Why not come and visit me on our stand where I may be able to answer questions for you on the history of the area.

Yes, this article is an advertising campaign for the Hotham Park Heritage Trust, which requires new members; volunteers to help with its various events and, above all, which still has to gain funding for the wide range of changes the trust wishes to carry out.

So, please, take time during the coming weekend to visit the country fayre, which opens at 11am and closes at 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Look at the display boards that provide more information on the work planned for the coming months. Please also obtain an application form to join the trust and if you run a business in the town, why not consider sponsoring or funding some of the events?

Finally, thank you to all the volunteers who have worked so tirelessly on behalf of the trust to gain funding, and to all the other groups, authorities and council departments which have contributed to this successful outcome. There are a large number of people who will do their best to ensure the park is developed for all age groups. This group is too numerous to mention and I would no doubt forget a name '“ so thank you to all those involved.