Pagham on Parade gets more space this year

This weekend's Pagham on Parade will be the first occasion in which a field behind the current village hall and car park will be open for visitors to use.

Pagham Parish Council is hoping to lease the acre plot from landowner Derek Bell to help to alleviate the area's chronic shortage of public open spaces.

The final deal has yet to be signed but sweetcorn specialist Barfoots of Botley, which is using the land, has agreed to it being made temporarily available to allow more space for Sunday's crowd-puller.

The extra space will enable more children's attractions to be available compared to previous years.

Parish council clerk Chris Braby said: 'The extra land will probably double the amount of space we have for Pagham on Parade.

'This will make it a bigger event than it has been for the first two years.'

Cllr Ray Radmall, the parish council's chairman, commented: 'The new field is a wonderful green space surrounded by open fields with extensive views across crops to the parish church, nature reserve and the South Downs.

'We can accommodate more vehicles, bring in children's play equipment and have a picnic area too.'

The occasion will be held at the village hall in Pagham Road between 11am and 4pm. A children's fancy dress parade for four to ten-years-old will take place at 2.30pm.

One of the main features will be the presence of an expected 30 military vehicles alongside another 30 beautifully restored classic cars and a group of historic motor cycles. Some of the exhibitors are due to travel from Tunbridge Wells, Byfleet and Bromley.

Stalls, plants and displays will also be situated in the hall and the field to provide further interest. All day catering will be available.

Entry will be free but donations will be welcome. Any profit will go to the village hall fund and local charities.