Park concert stirs up national fervour

The sounds of Land of Hope and Glory and Sussex by the Sea prompted the fervour of Union flag-waving at the annual Proms in the Park concert.

Around 1,200 people turned out for this colourful bandstand event given by the Bognor Regis Concert Band, conducted by Howard Burchfield.

Singer Mollie Young was the soloist.

The early summer's poor weather failed to deter the enthusiastic prom-goers from making the most of the town council-run event on July 7.

Town council events officer Sue Holmes said: 'The first members of the audience started turning up two-and-a-half hours before the 7.30pm start to make sure they got the grandstand positions.

'People brought along picnic tables and chairs, and candlebra as well as plenty of food and wine, to make it an evening to enjoy.

'They make a real effort to turn the proms into a special occasion. There's a good mix of people there as well, with young families as well as older people.'

The turnout on the fine but chilly and breezy weather was slightly less than previous years with a clash with several other events probably to blame.

l Fun on the Prom lived up to its name along Felpham seafront last Saturday night.

Around 1,200 people thronged the promenade to enjoy the family occasion put on by Felpham Parish Council.

They could delight in the big top skills of the Tiny Tots Circus, dance to the music of the live bands and street entertainers put on by the Rox Organisation and beat the goalie in a contest run by Diamonds FC.

A spectacular 20-minute fireworks display rounded off the two hours of free entertainment based around Felpham Sailing Club which sold food during the evening.

Doug Hammond, the parish council's clerk, said: 'The feedback we've had from most people is that they had a good time and hoped the parish council was going to stage the event again next year.'