Town Pavilion is gone but not forgotten

As people's health improved, the need for these homes declined. The need for people to leave places like London to recuperate declined. It was, therefore, inevitable that the Merchant Taylor's and similar homes closed.

The area occupied by the Merchant Taylor's Convalescent Home was large and had a boundary of high walls. Trees covered a major central area of the town.

Over the years, I have met numerous people whose relatives stayed at the home. I recently met a woman whose relatives were married in the chapel connected with the home.

Demolition took place during the 1950s, at a time of great optimism about the future.

Building projects were taking place throughout Britain and Bognor Regis was not to be left out.

According to the press in 1959, the new development of Fitzleet in the Queensway was going to provide "seaside bed-sitters, 15 storeys high".

In one London newspaper, it was suggested that, in 1960, thousands of people would come to Bognor Regis and find work on 'the new town' being constructed.

It was described as being more than a shopping centre, and provided homes as well.

Situated in this vicinity was the Pavilion.

It was at the northern end of Waterloo Square, adjacent to the Merchant Taylor's Convalescent Home. There was a small road linking West Street and Crescent Road.

At the end of the first world war, seaplanes were no longer required in such numbers, and due to the number of cancelled orders, the Norman Thompson Seaplane Factory in Middleton on Sea, became unnecessary.

As a result, the hangers became available for purchase.

I have acquired copies of a newspaper report in the Observer and West Sussex Recorder for Wednesday, April 4, 1923, which had a detailed report on the provision of a 'Bognor Pavilion Garden Scheme', subtitled the 'utilisation of an aerodrome building as a Pavilion for a coast town'.

The engineer and surveyor for Bognor Urban District Council of the time was Oswald A Bridges.

The report had been reprinted from the Journal of the Institute of Municipal and County Engineers.

The news report records the purchase by the Bognor Urban District Council and conversion into a pavilion, of an aerodrome building which formed part of the Middleton Aerodrome Works at Middleton (situated three miles from Bognor.) The building was built on the edge of the coast line.

The report also states that the urban district council had first considered a pavilion garden back in 1914 when property in Rock Gardens and Aldwick Road, to the value of 6,150 was purchased, with a view to it being pulled down, and the site used for the erection of a pavilion.

The site at that time was considered to be too near the sea.

The Merchant Taylors' Ladies Home, which was originally known as Hothamton Place, was immediately north of Waterloo Square.

The area was nicely sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds, and the surroundings were soon greatly improved by planting trees and shrubs.

It was thought that in time Hothamton Place would be pulled down.

I recently came across another report of a Mr Gibbs who recalled that the Ladies Home of the Merchants Taylors had come onto the market in 1920. The council had taken steps to acquire the site.

They obtained consent from the Ministry of Health to buy the home and surrounding grounds to develop as council houses.

However the government wanted the council to erect specific types of houses '“ the cheapest possible.

The council decided against this as the site was in the centre of town and they felt it would be a disgrace if it was spoilt.

One council committee member, Mr Quintus White, reported that he had been to Middleton on business and heard that the aeroplane sheds of the Norman Thompson Flights Company were being sold.

One in particular, he said, was large and was for sale at 1,000 and he said he thought it would be ideal for a pavilion on the acquired land.

The home and land was purchased for 7,530 with some additional land in Waterloo square for 1,000.

In 1921, Bognor Urban District Council bought the largest aeroplane shed and had it re-erected at the north end of Waterloo Square. This became the popular Pavilion. When it was confirmed that the Pavilion was bought and would be erected on this site, there was great opposition.

In the newspaper report, Mr Bridges said: 'Bognor is one of the few towns which have benefited by the purchase and adaptation of buildings used in the Great War'.

When the aircraft shed was purchased, it was erected and was given a lathe and plaster front and re-equipped as a Pavilion with a ballroom, concert hall, refreshments and tea lounge.

It measured 173ft in width and 142ft in length with 23,99sq ft of floor space.

The span of the main principal support was 130ft and the height of the apex was 50ft, which helps to give the impression of its overall size.

It had seating for 3,000 and was the venue for a variety of entertainments including concerts, exhibitions, bands and dances.

During the winter, indoor tennis and badminton were played.

There were of course large sliding doors in the construction, which had originally been hanger doors.

These were placed facing Crescent Road, but because there was no need for these doors, they were bricked in.

The 1923 article commented on the gardens which were constructed around the ex-hanger and included '˜a rose pergola, rustic bridge and Roman Gardens'. The present greenhouse has been re-erected for the cultivation and rearing of plants and seeds for the beautifying of the grounds. The paths have been constructed from the old rubble pulled down from the boundary walls. The paths are outlined with electric lights on special nights. Trees and shrubs have been planted to ornament the ground and to screen any part which is unsightly'.

After many years of enjoyable use, the building was hit with a fire in 1948 '“ yes, 60 years ago this year '“ which destroyed one of the ornate columns at the front of the Pavilion. Ultimately, the building was demolished to make way for more modern constructions.

It would be interesting to read the views of residents in 2030 after the redevelopment of today's Bognor Regis.

I hope to see many of you in the Regis Centre on Monday, April 28, at the Made in Bognor day where we will be showing films both covering 100 years of filming in Bognor, sponsored by the Observer.