Murder at The Old Rectory Murder! Mystery! Quiz! | 28th February 2026

3 March 2026 » Permalink: Murder at The Old Rectory Murder! Mystery! Quiz! | 28th February 2026

The Memorial Hall, Felpham was packed on Saturday night for a hilarious and highly entertaining evening. ‘Murder at the Old Rectory’ was a tale of deadly deeds, colourful characters and very bad poetry. The event combined a hunt for the murderer and a general knowledge quiz. Not forgetting a rich tapestry of sound effects. All proceeds went towards supporting the Community Felpham Post Office and Village Stores. Friends of Felpham wish to thank the magnificent cast, the Memorial Hall Team, especially Alex Marner, volunteers, donors and our splendid audience, many of whom dressed in 1950s costume. The entire event reflected the fantastic community spirit of Felpham Post Office and the Village Stores. Come visit and use our postal and banking services. Then shop our extensive and varied goods. You’ll be guaranteed a very warm welcome!!

Photos by Tony Lord, Kate Croft & Mike Harding. Sales by Karen Henry

Keith Hellyer RIP (PostMaster 1986-2014)

19 January 2026 » Permalink: Keith Hellyer RIP (PostMaster 1986-2014)

(Photo of Keith & Sue taken at the opening of the new Post Office on Grassmere Parade, 6th September 2025 by Tony Lord)

It is with great sadness that Felpham Post Office and Village Stores learnt of the passing of Keith Hellyer. Keith was Felpham Post Master from 1986 to 2014. He was a stalwart supporter of the Post Office; his considerable knowledge was a bright beacon to us as we began our campaign to save the Felpham branch. All of us involved in the new Post Office wish to thank Keith for his knowledge, generosity and help. Free copies of his history of Felpham Post Office are available in store. Our thoughts go out to Sue, and to Keith’s family and close friends. Thank you, Keith. We will miss you.

“My wife and I spent many happy years here. I was 35 when we moved in with two young girls. It was a hectic life, running the PO and newsagents, rising at 5:30am every day and juggling with family life. Each day would be different and integration into village life was essential. I was a parish councillor for eight years, the Felpham Ratepayers Association for 20 and in local drama group ‘Brats’, Regis Players and Rainbow performing musicals, plays and pantos. My children also did many things and my wife was associated with many local charitable events. Now retired, we live near the golf club and have our two daughters and three grandchildren close by.”

We Won One of the 2025 Local Retail Champions Awards!

21 November 2025 » Permalink: We Won One of the 2025 Local Retail Champions Awards!

The wait is finally over! Between 8 September and 19 October 2025, the public were asked to nominate their local National Lottery retailer who has gone above and beyond to support their community in 2025.

Last night, Thursday 20th November, at a celebratory awards evening, Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery proudly announced its 2025 Local Retail Champions, an initiative funded by Allwyn’s Social Value fund, to celebrate the impact that National Lottery retailers have on their local communities.

The two National winners, Barry’s Local & Post Office in Chatham, Kent and Halai General Store (Best One) in Bermondsey each receive £15,000 in recognition of exceptional work in their communities. 

A further 16 Regional Winners from across the UK were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their local communities, each receiving a £5,000 prize.

  • Spar Clyne Condorrat, Cumbernauld, Scotland
  • The Golden Plough, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
  • Core Convenience Store, Durham
  • Dacre Village Store, Dacre Banks, Harrogate
  • Smithy Green Nisa Local, Wigan 
  • Llanfair Village Shop (Siop y Pentre Cyf), Llanfairtalhaiarn, Wales
  • Bains Newsagents, Coventry
  • Candy and Liquor, central Birmingham
  • Morrisons Daily Bristol Street, central Birmingham
  • Pentre Convenience Store (Nisa), Pentre, Wales
  • Barnett Brothers, Corsham, Wiltshire
  • Houghton & Wyton Community Shop, Houghton, Cambridgeshire
  • Baltonsborough Village Store, Baltonsborough, Somerset
  • New Southgate Food Centre, London
  • Londis, Nork Way, Banstead, Surrey
  • Felpham Post Office, Bognor Regis, Sussex

A big thank you to Ali (accompanied by her friend Katie) for going to London to collect the award!

Congratulations to all the 2025 Local Retail Champions and Innovation Award winners

From The Bognor Observer, November 2025:

January – March 2026 Events in Felpham | Reserve Tickets

19 November 2025 » Permalink: January – March 2026 Events in Felpham | Reserve Tickets

2026

18th January 2026 *SOLD OUT
Blockbuster Quiz (no. 5)

The Fox Inn
Waterloo Road
7 for 730PM

SOLD OUT

28th February 2026 *SOLD OUT
Murder at The Old Rectory
Murder! Mystery! Quiz!

The Memorial Village Hall
Vicarage Lane
Doors 7PM
Bring your own bottle & picnic

SOLD OUT

29th March
Blockbuster Quiz (no. 6)

The Fox Inn
Waterloo Road
7 for 730PM

SOLD OUT

All funds raised at these events go towards the necessary licenses/insurance to help develop Grassmere Parade in to an active and dynamic space, to be used by and for the Felpham community.

Friends of Felpham CIC AGM | 30th October 2025

11 October 2025 » Permalink: Friends of Felpham CIC AGM | 30th October 2025

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT ST MARY’S CENTRE, GRASSMERE CLOSE, FELPHAM, WEST SUSSEX PO22 7NU ON 30 OCTOBER 2025

START 7.00PM
DOORS 6:45PM

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held for the following purposes:

1. Chairperson’s Report
2. Financial Report
3. Fundraising Report
4. Future plans
5. Q&A session (see note below)

By Order of the Board

FRIENDS OF FELPHAM CIC

Registered Office: 79 Felpham Road, Felpham, West Sussex PO22 7PF
Company registration number: 15221884

Notes:

For the Q&A session, if you wish to propose a question please put this in writing to the CIC

at the registered office above or by email to info@friendsoffelpham.org; due to time restrictions we will pool questions and the most popular will be put forward at the AGMLooking forward to seeing you all there. Please kindly note this meeting is for shareholders only.

AGM notice 2025

Any shareholder who wishes to read a record of the evening, please email us here

Blockbuster 3 | Blockbuster 4 2nd November 2025 @ The Fox Inn

6 October 2025 » Permalink: Blockbuster 3 | Blockbuster 4 2nd November 2025 @ The Fox Inn

Another hugely successful night at The Fox raised £490 from ticket sales (66) and raffle tickets. Thanks so much to everyone who came along and made it such a fun evening.

And a big thank you to all those who donated prizes; Finos, The Fox Inn, Arun Leisure Centre, M&S, Felpham Sailing Club, The Boat House, JW Sports, Milestones Garage, Manor Nurseries, The Picturedrome & Stansted House.

The next and last Blockbusters for 2025 is on 2nd November – same time (7 for 730PM), same place (The Fox Inn). Tickets are already available at Felpham Post Office & Village Stores; £5 each including a raffle ticket.

Come join the fun, (and help us raise vitally needed funds!),
as an individual, a couple or a team (max. 6). 

You can also book tickets by emailing info@friendsoffelpham.org

Photos by Rachel Higbee:

Local MP Alison Griffiths Visits Felpham Post Office & Village Stores

12 September 2025 » Permalink: Local MP Alison Griffiths Visits Felpham Post Office & Village Stores

Alison Griffiths MP celebrates our National Lottery Fund Grant, with Ali, one of our managers, and volunteer Barbara.

Then buys a sausage roll made by Bluebell Bakery, who held the first pop-up today on the parade

Behind the counter with Ali & Barbara

Chatting with volunteer Sally and Directors Lizzie & Sarah

The National Lottery Grant

9 September 2025 » Permalink: The National Lottery Grant

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE that we have received a National Lottery Grant towards refurbishment, relocation & disability access of The Felpham Post Office & Village Stores. Our project was helped thanks to National Lottery players. The National Lottery The National Lottery Community Fund Felpham Village Post Office & Stores #itstartswithcommunity

Here are some of the staff and directors receiving the cheque for £20,000. We are extremely grateful for this support; its a real endorsement of our project and helps us enormously towards our fundraising targets.

We’ve also had amazing interest from both BBC TV & Radio + other media

The Bognor Observer
BBC South Today
Better Retailing


Official Opening of Felpham Post Office & Village Stores | 6th September 2025

6 September 2025 » Permalink: Official Opening of Felpham Post Office & Village Stores | 6th September 2025

Saturday 6th September 2025
11am 1 Grassmere Parade

Peggy Gumbrill, who won the raffle, cutting the ribbon to officially open the Post Office & Village Stores, as Rachel Higbee looks on. Photo by Tony Lord.

BBC South Today | 4th September 2025

5 September 2025 » Permalink: BBC South Today | 4th September 2025

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