Museum royal visit puts the Regis back into Bognor
Volunteers at the Bognor Regis Museum were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.
Arrivingat12.30pmontuesdaydecember5,princerichard enjoyed a full tour of the museumbeforebeingledintothevenue’srecently-completedseaside Room
The much-anticipated extension,oneofthebiggestinthe museum’s history, is devoted to an original Bognor Regis bathing machine, which would have serviced beach-goers throughout the 19th century, but also includes exhibits about Tony Hancock’s The Punch And Judy Man, which was filmed in the town, and Mary Wheatland; a famous Bognorian noted for saving several swimmers from the harsh waters off the coast.
Akeenhistorianhimself,the Dukewasvisiblydelightedtounveil a commemorative plaque, officially opening the room to the public.
"It’s a great pleasure to come to Bognor Regis today,” he told the museum volunteers, dignitaries and local historians who turned out to see him. “I think every place has a history, but not every place has a museum where you can access that history. I suspect that, as a holiday destination,lotsofpeopleliketo come here to show their grand children what life was like. It is fortheirbenefitandforthegenerations to come, I congratulate youforallthatyouhaveamassed here.”
After his speech, the Duke was presented with a series of gifts from the museum, including a booklet on Bognor’s royal history, a specially-designed ‘build your own bathing machine pen holder’ kit, several sticks of Bognor rock and framed photos of his father’s visit to wartime Bognor Regis, where he inspected vital sea defences.
Much to the delight of museum volunteers, The Duke, who is 31st in line to the throne, took an eager interest in several of the museum’s exhibits. “It was exciting, but slightly daunting, to meet royalty,” said museum volunteerchristineball.“buthe was so down to earth and very easy to talk to. "
Chairofthebognorregislocal History Society, Greg Burt, was especially honoured by the visit, and praised the Duke’s curiosity: “He was always leaping ahead and taking an interest,” he said. “You would talk about one exhibit, and he would jump over to the next. It was wonderful to see.”