Crunch vote saves residents'group in Pagham

The vote saw Sandy Black re-elected as the group's chairman for a further 12 months.

Mrs Black agreed to stand again after an absence of alternative candidates at last week'sannual meeting.

She only agreed to become the chairman at last year's annual meeting because the death of Arthur White, the chairman for the previous 14 years, just a few days earlier had stunned the organisation. Mrs Black had been reluctant to continue for another year in the position because of her other time-consuming role on Pagham Parish Council and as one of the village hall's trustees.

But she explained: 'It was important that we didn't let the association go. Parish council chairman Ray Radmall and I went to see Arthur the day before he died and, practically the last thing he said to us, was to keep everything going.

'In his memory, I couldn't possibly allow the association to die. It was the 40th annual meeting and there was no way I could see it disappear.

'I will stay as chairman for another year and see if someone is willing to take on the role next year.

'I don't feel that I have the time to devote to being chairman that I feel the position deserves but I will do the best I can.'

The annual meeting attracted a better than usual turnout of about 40 association members to Pagham Church Centre.

The meeting saw the association's registrar to stay on until her house move was finalised, its secretary fill the vacancy of treasurer and a newcomer step into the role of secretary to ensure the senior positions were filled.

However, the 17-strong committee still only numbers 12 to leave some vacancies there.

'That's not going to stop us,' said Mrs Black. 'Hopefully, we can keep the momentum going.'

One of the association's biggest services is its regular minibus. This carries a total of some 20-30 passengers a week shopping in Bognor Regis and Chichester.

It also takes 25 passengers to a weekly luncheon club and the same number to the Pagham Chestnuts Club.

Age Concern, the Pagham Club, two WIs, Pagham Yacht Club's youth section and St Richard's Church in Aldwick also occasionally hire the minibus. Mrs Black added: 'It does fulfil a very valuable role and we will be able to continue it.'