Bognorians

are what make Bognor majestic

Who or what is a Bognorian?

A "Bognorian" is a highly complimentary term used to refer to a resident or native of Bognor Regis or anyone who loves the town.
The most respected Bognorians are sometimes referred to as Bucganorians, after Bucge, the first community guardian of these environs.
It is said that the highest honour that any Bognorian can be afforded is to be called a true Bucganorian.

Are there different types of Bognorian?

So far 6 distinct categories of Bognorian have been identified:

  1. BigBog - someone who naturally likes to Big up Bognor (quite rare but unmistakably remarkable).

  2. BogBog - someone who can take Bognor or leave it (quite common and may take on many different guises).

  3. BegBog - someone who wants something from Bognor (not uncommon and needs the right conditions to develop the full plumage).

  4. BugBog - someone who is pre-disposed to trashing Bognor (by no means common, but is easy to spot, can be quite noisy).

  5. BygBog - someone who thinks Bognor has passed its sell-by date (quite common and can appear to lack colour, especially during the moulting season).

  6. BagBog - a hybrid transformational from a Bog, Beg, Bug or Byg (quite rare, often adorned with a big splash of colour and exuberance, likely to become more common over time in favourable conditions).

See how many of each category you can spot around town.

Who are the most notable Bognorians

There are many, but possibly the most notable, in terms of cultural influence are:

  1. Bucge
  2. William Blake
  3. Sir Richard Hotham
  4. King George V

Our inspirations

Bucge

c 635-700 AD

Saxon founder of Bucgan'ora c 680 AD

The original Bognorian

William Blake

William Blake is celebrated as a cultural hero for his profound and revolutionary artistic and poetic vision, which challenged conventional norms and championed imagination, spirituality, and social justice.

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine was a cultural hero because he eloquently articulated the ideals of liberty and self-governance, inspiring revolutionary movements and advocating for the rights of the common person.

Sir Richard Hotham

Richard Hotham began the development of Bognor into a seaside resort in the 1780s, with the foundation stone for a public bathing place laid in 1787 and his own mansion, Bognor Lodge, completed by 1788. He continued to develop the resort, including building Hotham Park House in 1792, until his death in 1799.

King George V

King George V became a cultural hero for Bognor because his extended stay in the town for convalescence in 1929 led to the prestigious "Regis" (of the King) suffix being added to its name, significantly boosting its reputation and leading to a "golden age for tourism and for development" in the following decade.

Erik Jack

1934 - 2017

"Mr. Bognor Regis", Erik was a local website designer, artist, and photographer. Often described as the heart and sole of Bognor, Erik was one of the kindest and most honest men you could ever hope to meet.

Jim Brooks

1948 - 2025

Jim Brooks was a true ambassador to Bognor Regis - in its promotion and so so many more un - documented things he did for the town he loved. He touched the hearts of many that he met with his amazing and total genuine enthusiasm for Bognor Regis

Volunteer with us

Don't miss out on the chance to contribute to the Bognor Arts & Culture Experience.  We want to include you in our mission to build a brighter Bognor!