PICTURES: Bognor Rox 2016

Pubs, the pier and Hotham Park all played host over the weekend (July 30 and 31) as the annual arts and music festival took on a smaller form.

Robin Parker, marketing director, said: “We’ve had fantastic comments from the public and all the venues.

“We are really pleased we did something this year after all.”

Back in March, following a shortfall in funding, the difficult decision to cancel the event was taken.

However businesses, organisers and public support rallied and enabled the show to go on.

As a result a ‘plan B’ to ensure Bognor Regis still had a summer cultural offering was soon in the pipeline.

Speaking at the time Rox Music & Arts director Matt Douglas said: “We’re looking to encompass as much of the town as possible that can feasibly be managed on the resources that we already have and we’re going to do our very best to create a great vibe in the town and beyond for just about anyone that wants to get involved.”

Mr Parker revealed: “It was meant to be an easier way of doing things but that is not really how it turned out, it was probably as much work.”

There’s little doubt it delivered on its promise however.

Mr Parker said: “From all of the Rox crew we want to say thanks to everyone who turned up and got involved.”

Even a downpour couldn’t stop the fun of the Secret Garden at Hotham Park, with Mr Parker admitting after an hour ‘it was game on again’.

He added: “If I had a pound for every time people said ‘is Rox coming back next year’ I would be a rich man.”

Asked if 2017 Rox should be put in the diary, he replied: “I don’t think it is going away.”

For now a little break and debrief are planned before attention turns to October 29 with a Halloween offering in Hotham Park.

Anyone who would be interested in getting involved is asked to visit roxmusicandarts.org