The Rowland Rank Centre
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In 1982 Mr John Rank approached Bognor Regis Lions Club with a request to develop
the old barn and farmyard on Aldwick Road as a community
centre. The site, sold for development, is now known as
Aldwick Felds. He obtained outline planning permission
for a centre before selling the rest of the land. He wanted
to have the centre named in honour of his late father,
Rowland Rank – brother of the more widely known
J Arther Rank.
Consultations were held with local authorities, service
clubs and other interested bodies and an outline scheme
was put to John Rank and his late mother, Margaret, which
met with their approval. |
The Club then took on what has been it’s biggest project
to date, having to raise £250,000 to carry out the conversion.
A fund-raising campaign was begun, a separate Charitable Trust
registered and the late Lavinai, Duchess of Norfolk agreed to
be the Patron, having known Rowland Rank in his lifetime. West
Sussex County Council Social Services expressed interest and
agreed to take a block booking f the new centre as a “drop
in “centre for the elderly. (There was no comparable centre
in Bognor Regis at the time nor was one then contemplated).
St John Ambulance was looking for a new headquarters and also
agreed to take a block booking, The financial contributions
from these two organisations tipped the balance in the fundraising
and in 1986 Alex Sayers and Partners were engaged to see to
the work..
The Centre opened it’s doors in December 1988 and on
January 11th 1989 Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk performed the
official opening ceremony along with John Rank, his brother
and sister and their spouses. (Sadly Mrs. Margaret had died
in the meantime).
John Rank granted the Trust a 99 year lease on the premises
and the rent is a specimen white gardenia, paid at 11am on July
11th every three years – the time and date being that
of the death of Rowland Rank. The next payment will be in 2013
when Trustees, who are all members of the Lions Club, will call
on one of the Rank family for that purpose and to present a
report on the Trust’s activities over light refreshments.
Rowland Rank was very fond of the farm of which the Centre is
the last vestige, particularly before World War II and he was
well known in those days for the horses he bred there.
Over the past 22 years the Centre has proved to be a wonderful
facility for the town but sadly, due to present cut-backs, West
Sussex County Council Social Services have withdrawn their support
and use of the Centre with the subsequent loss of our main source
of income. The Trustees are now looking for businesses or organisations
to fill the shortfall.
www.rowlandrank.com
