Magazine reveals secrets of 1948 life

From the 1940s to the 1960s, a range of newsletters and leaflets were published.

Looking through this 32-page A4 publication gave me an insight into life at that time.

Items we see in the paper today have changed little from those times.

There was a request made for Guide leaders as there was a list of girls wanting to join the Guides and Brownies.

Another problem was the lack of a suitable venue for groups to meet. For 15 days a month, Guides had use of a piece of land in Hotham Park where they could enjoy 'outdoor activities and learn practical campcraft'.

Another report told of 'Essex Road '“ Trim and Neat'. This followed a long period of the road being considered untidy.

The reporter continued that, when he visited the area, it could be 'termed a model working-class road'.

This report concluded with mention of posters in houses and children talking about a forthcoming missionary exhibition and their choir practice.

Youth venture

Elsewhere there is an article about a new youth venture '“ that of the 39 Club. It tells of a group of boys and girls aged from 16 who has got together and formed a mixed youth club for the Westloats Lane area.

Prior to this, there was apparently no club available for girls, just a church fellowship. The name, according to the article, came about because the youngest member was 16 and the oldest 23 and adding the two together made 39.

The club met at St Peter's Hall, which was in Westloats Lane.

It would appear that the provision for young people was a concern, as it is today.

I wonder if some of the unnamed people mentioned are still around the area today.

No such place Bognor, what about Bognor Regis?

One article made me smile, as it was about the suffix of Regis. Remember this is 1948, not long after the addition of Regis to Bognor.

The Bognor Regis telephone exchange had been asked for a telephone number in Bognor and was advised there was no such exchange. They were advised there was only Bognor Regis. Someone then remarked that if 'plain old Bognor was good enough for their grandfather, then it was good enough for them'.

The reporter was then regaled with the comment that we need not be so proud of the fact that the king came here, for it spoilt the town for old families.

It made Bognor into a 'tripping spot'. There were other remarks about the use of 'Regis' and the fact that the town and council had not really used it fully.

One comment I liked was that 'there was not always room to squeeze the 'Regis' onto all bus timetables. Good job we didn't have a long name in the first place.

Holiday spot

Another page has the headline 'Why holidaymakers chose Bognor Regis'. Apparently in 1948, the town was receiving hundreds of letters from people living in Leicester and it was reported that the town heard Bedford and Nottingham accents.

According to the chairman of the Bognor Regis Extended Season Committee this was due to the limited amount of money available for advertising and it concentrated on the Midlands.

It advised that for 1949 it was thinking of advertising in other towns and 'may even open an information bureau in one of the towns'.

It is difficult for us today to realise the constraints that would have existed in 1948, but the method of advertising was not as prolific as it is today with television and the internet.

One lead article requested the highways committee to supply more seats 'on behalf of the elderly and infirm' near bus stops.

It continues with the remark "that it is difficult having to stand 'for perhaps ten mins' whilst waiting for a bus" '“ I am sure you would have some comments on this remark.

The lead viewpoint talks about service and what it means and how we should all engage for the benefit of the area.

"The prosperity of the county depends largely upon the holiday business which rests in a very special degree on service," and concluded that "none of these commodities should be in short supply."

These leaflets or magazines are really interesting, especially when they provide details of personalities within the area. There are a number of small reports on people like Mr Neale the donkey man, who had ceased to work on the seafront.

The question was also asked as to who was the oldest builder in the town and the answer at that time was Mr Fred Greenway, partner in the firm of Greenway and Gray '“ names I must admit I have not heard of during my research.

It does say, however, that Mr Greenaway never was a council member or mixed in local affairs and this may be the reason for us not being aware of him.

Carnival capers

Carnival week was claimed to be a triumph as was the Pagham carnival event. The introduction of another miniature railway on the east car park was apparently mooted 'after 40 years'.

Mr Jocelyn Hansford was chosen as the first person to be immortalised as the 'Bognor Personality '“ No. 1'. This provides us with background information on this famous family which still has premises here in West Sussex, albeit now in Chichester rather than here in Bognor Regis.

The final report which I thought was interesting for a variety of reasons is headed 'Circus Lions '“ No more trouble than Actors and Actresses'.

This was the story of the visit to the town of a circus which was to perform at the Pier Theatre.

The animals included lions and these apparently roared when it was going to rain, much to the delight of the company as this meant that more people would attend the circus if it rained.

The article continues: "What happened to the lions after their admiring audience went home? Well just like everybody else, they had a meal, but for them the only one of the day.

"Then, they settled down for the night at the side of the stage, with their trainer."

It was alright, though, as 'police regulations stipulated that at no time must they be left unattended'.

In the morning they would exercise on the stage, while the monkeys went out onto the beach, much to the amazement of people strolling along the seafront.

The dogs and geese also slept on the premises although the horses and ponies were taken to a stable for the night.

There are so many comments that could be made about this event, but I will leave that to you the reader '“ just remember this was in 1948, 60 years ago.