Chichester actor Vicky Edwards has brought back to life the embodiment of 1920s “girl-power”, Bognor’s great unsung heroine Mary Wheatland. This video will whet your appetite.
The Bognor Regis Time Portal offers a brand-new, free, innovative arts and cultural experience for the town, using augmented reality to bring the past to life through an initiative devised by Bognor Regis-based artist Matt Reed.
Mary Wheatland was a working-class swimming instructor, bathing machine operator and life-saver credited with saving more than 30 lives. Matt has made her world available to you. A brightly coloured, futuristic looking “portal” frame signposts the location of the augmented reality experience. Following instructions on the signage and using your mobile phone or tablet to scan the portal, you will get the chance to see Vicky speak and move as Mary in a holographic version accessed through a QR code.
The physical portal and augmented reality art installation is place next to decking next to the beach, opposite the old Brewers Fayre site. The experience will run until the end of September 2025.