New book covers town life in pastcenturies

The schools, the shops and the structures which make up its history can be seen among the near 200 photographs contained in Reflections of Bognor Regis.

Other subjects featured in the book compiled by local historians Sylvia Endacott and Shirley Lewis are personalities, recreation and travel.

The authors will be launching the publication at a book-signing ceremony at 11am this Sunday at Unique Promotions in The Arcade.

They said their aim was to capture different aspects of the town's history since its foundation by Sir Richard Hotham on January 18, 1787.

They have spanned most of the first two centuries of the town's existence to cover its start and growth as well as to revive the memories of readers familiar with the recent past.

Reflections of Bognor Regis is the first joint book by Shirley and Sylvia. Its publication stems from the popular festivals of local history they organised between 2003 and 2005.

Sylvia said: 'We felt where we lived as a pictorial history was of special interest to residents as well as visitors to the town. Whenever I provide talks, people always ask for another picture or ask if I have one of where they live.

'We had to include, of course, the villages, though in some cases with only one picture, to show we appreciate their place in our town of Bognor.

'Recreation and travel affects us all whether on a weekly basis or as a means to arrive and enjoy some relaxation.'

Shirley stated: 'Shopping and trade have always been an interest of mine. So, with the help of the excellent information available in Kelly's and other directories, another chapter was completed.

'Old advertisements and people's personal photos help remind everyone '˜what was there before'. People also enjoy looking at photographs within living memory and we, therefore, decided to bring some of our history up to the 1970s.'

Reflections of Bognor Regis '“ ISBN 978 0 7524 4299 0 '“ is published by Tempus Publishing, priced 12.99.

l SEE PAGE 20