Bad weather fails to dampen festive spirit

The extreme daytime conditions of December 8 had cleared to leave a dry, if windy, evening.

The large turnout gathered around the Hotham Park bandstand to sing all the traditional carols.

Many families took part. The children enjoyed having to bring a lantern or torch to shine around the park and read the song sheets.

Bognor Regis Concert Band provided the music with gusto. Their bright red uniforms gave them a festive appearance. The Glenwood Choir added their voices to lead the singing.

The Hotham Park Heritage Trust received the go-ahead from Arun District Council to stage the concert because the bandstand area has yet to be touched by the park's regeneration project.

But an increasingly large area of the park is affected by the comprehensive 2m-plus scheme. Much clearance work has been undertaken.

The extent of the changes means that the trust has been forced to cancel its popular events on the park's grassed areas next year. The park will stay open to the public.

The trust's events committee chairman, Diana Strachan, said the group intended to arrange some alternative events in The Lodge, which is being refurbished.

A programme of these events will be available next year.