Sands of Time offersweekend of family fun

Children and adults will both find plenty to keep themselves amused on and around the seafront during Saturday and Sunday.

This year's is the second of the events to be held in the early summer following a shift from its traditional September staging. Organisers at Bognor Regis Town Council, backed by the Bognor Regis Observer, hope that the new place in the calendar again proves popular.

Some 55 events are taking place from 10.30am on Saturday to 4.45pm on Sunday.

That packed programme includes exhibitions, games, craft fair, sandcastles, music, arts, classic cars, donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows.

It ensures there is no chance to be bored with the only problem being how to fit everything in.

Children can try to make a creature of the deep in the marquee on Waterloo Square, enter a junk modelling competition or make a mosaic.

There will be donkey rides along the seafront, from the bandstand and the pier, as well as Punch and Judy shows and magic shows on the bandstand.

Performances by Regis Troopers, line dancers and Fusion Dance Co will keep spectators entertained around the pier on both days. Just on Sunday, the magical puppet-based Rainbow Fish show for children aged 4-7 will be held at the Hotham Arts Centre.

Sunday will also see adults and children taking part in the popular sandcastle competition held on the beach by the bandstand. Registration starts at 10am, judging takes place at noon and the prizes will be handed out at 1.30pm.

Adults will also be able to enjoy the dozens of classic and vintage cars expected to be lined up on the front lawns of the Royal Norfolk Hotel on Sunday after a cavalcade along the seafront from West Park from 10.45am.

They can enjoy a local history exhibition put together by Sylvia Endacott and Shirley Lewis as well as admire the work of local artists. A craft fair will be held as well on Sunday within the Royal Norfolk Hotel. Open top bus rides around Bognor during Sunday afternoon will provide 40 minutes of seeing the town from an unusual viewpoint. Saturday at 11.30am will see geologist David Bone leading a walk along the promenade from opposite Nyewood Lane to talk about the rocks and fossil discoveries that have been made on the beach.

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