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This years Sands of Time was split into two elements, the festival itself on the 9th and 10th and the Heritage Weekend on the 16th and 17th. But with Bognor being Bognor the Heritage Weekend began on Wednesday 13th with a tour of the 15th Century South Bersted Church. Each of the places visited this year as part of the Heritage Weekend can be found on the "Look Back" page.

The quite before the storm, everyone has time to relax and pose for the local press. The ladies from the Laburnum Centre meet the Sands of Time Mascot, as Dodger the clown looks for trouble with the help of the jazz band. The Custard Clowns (center) just look forward to the day ahead.

The weekend started as it meant to go on with a fun parade led by the WGR Land Train, closely followed by the clown car. The shoppers all stopped and stared as the High Street filled with clowns, dancers, drum troupes and circus acts, not forgetting all the locals who took to the streets in fancy dress. Having made its way through the town and along the seafront the parade finally reached the Pier and the main stage. 









A few people were disappointed that the life size inflatable whale from last year wasn't here, after a few enquiries were made it seems it suffered a puncture in Eastbourne. But as way of compensation the World Wildlife Fund arrived with a bright yellow deep sea submarine called Orca-1, fitted out with displays about the worlds seas and oceans. Plus the WWF Panda was at hand to make sure everyone got their badge. For more information about the work of the World Wildlife Fund visit their website, www.wwf-uk.org.

Down on the seafront Bognor's resident clown "Domino" acts as MC for the event, as well as keeping an eye on the competitors during the sandcastle competition.

The Town Hall was a hive of activity for those interested in local history. As well as the Bognor Regis History Society there was an update on the BY2K project and the National Piers Society had a stand. The Sussex Family History Group put on a special "Family Tree" exhibit where you could find out about how to trace families history. They had even brought along many of the local records on microfilm for people to search through. If that wasn't enough, you could always visit the Bognor Regis Museum which was open all weekend, admission as usual was free.

As in previous years the funfair along the promonade was popular with all ages, as was the exhibition by the Bognor Regis Art Society in Waterloo Square. Opposite the pier Arun District Council had set up a local ecology display, encouraging an active interest in the environment. One of the main reasons for holding the Sands of Time is to  encourage people to take an interest in their local heritage and environment, as well as ensuring both local towns people and visitors have a fun weekend at Bognor Regis.

The weather on Saturday had been dry, warm but overcast. On Sunday the sun came out, the sky was blue everyone just knew it was going to be a great day. The clowns were mingling with the crowds, as on Saturday the donkey rides were a highlight for the children and bought back memories for many parents and grandparents. Adding to the seaside nostalgia an original, fully restored bathing machine was next to the bandstand, and Punch & Judy next to the Pier.
The Bognor Regis Wireless Museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of vintage wireless and televisions in the country.

Two of the most popular attractions as far as the toddlers were concerned were the donkeys and the giant slide. The craft fare held at the Royal Norfolk Hotel also proved popular. Local Councillor Justin Mowat discarded his Sand of Time mascot outfit to put on an American Civil War display. What that's got to do with a seaside festival I really don't know, but at least it keeps him out of harms way.

The bathing machine was an essential part of the English bathing resort for many years. With a strict code of decency and segregated bathing, these machines ensured the ladies of the period could enjoy the coastal waters free from prying eyes.

The Hounsom's No49 machine originates from Eastbourne and is very similiar in design to the machines used at Bognor.

No49 was discovered in an allotment slowly rotting away. Staff at the Langham Hotel, Julian Martyr and family (pictured) plus a host of others set about restoring the machine to its original condition.

Throughout the restoration every effort was made to use the original wood and only replace wood where essential. The end result was the beautiful machine proudly displayed by Julian Martyr at this years Sands of Time.

The bathing machine can normally be found at Eastbourne and is open most weekends. Further information is available from the Langham Hotel - 01323 731451.

The cavalcade of vintage cars arrived, ranging from the ever popular Morris Minors, a double decker bus, a range of vintage and modern sports cars plus family saloons. But we mustn't forget the unmissable pink Cadillac. These lined up just west of the Pier and in the grounds of the Royal Norfolk Hotel. In the Hotel itself was a craft fare and video shows on Bognors recent history.

The stage shows were excellent, ranging from a local rock band "Flaver" and an amazing dance display by the Youth Dance Group from Middleton. But the real reason people come to the Sands of Time is the Sandcastle Competition. Every year the standard gets higher and higher and the competition itself is becoming increasingly popular. Anyone and everyone from grannies to toddlers are all master engineers when it comes to making sandcastles. The subjects ranged from the traditional mermaids and sea monsters to a desktop computer, a picnic and the Pyramids. The sand sculptors always do well but this year the 12 to 14 year olds had raised the standard. One of the judges, Town Mayor Sylvia Olliver confessed that judging the youngsters competition was getting more difficult each year as the standard of the castles was raised and it didn't help knowing that when you picked a winner so many other children would be so disappointed.

By the end of the weekend everyone had had a great time, the organisors were completely drained, and heritage weekend was still to come.