³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

An international mecca down the years for royalty, poets and artists alike, the West Sussex town recently suffered the indignity of coming bottom in a poll of 100 seaside resorts. Locals maintain that’s simply nonsense not least because Bognor has something all holidaymakers want – sun.

Its unbeaten record of nearly two thousand hours of sunshine a year is more than any other mainland resort. A highlight of the year for tourists and locals is the Illuminations Gala – a competition held at the height of summer every year in which contestants dress up - and light up – and parade round the town after dark. Bookshop owner and former professional clown Jason Passingham is Mister Illuminations, having run the gala for 15 years. It’s a stressful business with much to do and one element he can’t control – the weather. Gales saw last year’s gala cancelled altogether. We follow this year’s preparations by volunteers and competitors alike. Will Bognor’s sunshine record hold or will the gala be a washout once more?