Students' gateway to a new Hotham Park paradise

The artwork by the Bognor Regis Community College students has been included in an eye-catching scroll on the double gates at the park's London Road entrance.

Their designs feature aspects of the nature of the park such as a squirrel, an acorn, a dragonfly and a leaf surrounded by a spider's web.

The gates '“ based on the scroll patterns of the park's other gates '“ have opened the way to a new era for the park after its 2.2m restoration and will be seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Jade Walter (14) was among those whose design was chosen. Her squirrel can clearly be viewed on the gate.

"It's quite cool to see my finished design. It's different to have my design on the gate," she said.

The other students who visited the gates were Lauren Woznicki (14), who created the flowers and leaves design; Rachel Burgess (15); John Newman (13), who created a bird; and Cat Moore (13).

They were congratulated on their creativity by representatives from the park's manager, Arun District Council.

Cllr Paul Wotherspoon, in charge of the council's environment services, said: "The new gates are one of the finishing touches to the restoration.

"It's wonderful local students have been able to be a part of this important project and leave their mark on something the whole community can appreciate and enjoy."

The park's restoration, backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, began in October 2007.

It has seen the landscape of the green space transformed. Nearly two acres of parkland has been created from the former Rainbow's End along with a conservation pond.

The boating lake has been turned from a rundown pond to a beautiful centrepiece.

The area around Hotham Park House and cafe has been reinstated into a narrowed driveway with grass and shrubs both sides to reflect its original setting.

Work continues in some areas. Bulb planting, new signage and interpretation boards comprise the next phases.

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