Chair & Events Coordinator

Gill Purnell

Hello, my name is Gill and I have lived with my husband Garry, on the Widewater Lagoon since 2006 and I was elected to the role of World of Widewater Chair in 2025. 

It is such a special place. The changing colours of the lagoon banks, the high sky’s, the glistening ripples of the water and the abundance of all kinds of bird and wildlife is an absolute joy to witness every day. 

I have never lived in such a friendly and welcoming area. I find the community spirit delightful and feel lucky to know so many lovely people.

I enjoy sea swimming with the Widewater Mermaids, singing in a local choir (Harmonessence) as well as ballroom dancing with my husband. We love to entertain and have fun with our family and grandchildren who of course love to visit.

Vice Chair, Facebook Administrator & Events Coordinator

Paula Baker

Hello, my name is Paula Baker and I have lived on the lagoon since 2013.  I moved from Brighton shortly after retirement and have never regretted a moment!  I joined WOW immediately after moving in and within 6 months was elected onto the committee, who not only welcomed me warmly, but have since become good friends!

The lagoon has so much become a part of my life that I cannot envisage living anywhere else.  I enjoy walking my dog Alfie daily along the coastal path. Each day provides a different delight, whether it be the kingfisher flashing by, a cormorant catching a fish, or the mute swans calling to each other on a still, misty, rainy day.  I particularly enjoy the sense of community that being both a resident and a committee member, gives me.

A keen ukulele player, I am a member of a local ukulele group and we give our time freely to play in Care homes, Memory centres and Retirement homes.  I also enjoy painting and what better place to live than here, the lagoon is a constant source of inspiration!

Secretary & Membership Secretary

Marion Hoggen

Hi, my name is Marion Hoggen and I’ve lived on Widewater Lagoon since August 2020 although prior to this I lived on Shoreham Beach for 24 years. I love living here, the views are spectacular and I love the varied wildlife especially when it joins us in our garden!

I joined the WOW committee after meeting my neighbour and fellow member Marion Wood and I was recently elected as the Secretary.  They are a very friendly group and I look forward to participating in the various upcoming projects and meeting many more residents of the Widewater.

I enjoy kayaking, keeping fit, walking and gardening, I am also a keen bowler.  As a member of the RSPB and WWT I love visiting their reserves and everything related to nature and birds, including our budgie Basil. For me the Widewater is a great place to live.

Treasurer & Website Editor

Dave Hoggen

Hello my name is Dave Hoggen and I moved into one of the houses backing onto the lagoon in 2020.  I previously lived in Shoreham for several years so I’ve been familiar with the Widewater for a long time and I now feel very fortunate to live beside the lagoon .

I first became a subscription member of WOW a few years ago after meeting Jo Procter who very kindly rescued a baby seagull that had fallen off the roof of my old house.  I joined the Committee in May 2021 and was elected into the role of Treasurer by the other committee members and subsequently I also took on the role of the WoW website Administrator.

My hobbies/interests include walking, cycling and watching and playing sport.  I am an avid supporter of Everton FC and I currently play bowls for Shoreham-By-Sea Bowling Club.  I also enjoy photography and playing my piano, ukulele and guitar.

I post photos regularly to the World of Widewater Facebook site and I love looking at photos and snippets of local information posted there by other visitors and residents.  

Committee Member, Events Coordinator & Facebook Admin

Barbara Rose

My name is Barbara Rose, my wife & I moved to Widewater in July 2017; from the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed by others living locally to this beautiful area.I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful and ever changing location; that’s what prompted me to join the WOW committee, so that I could help in a small way to preserve the natural beauty of this gem that we all love.   

The Committee is a very friendly group of people, all working together to find ways of promoting the Lagoon whilst keeping its best interest at heart. 

On a more personal note about myself; I grew up in London where space and wildlife weren’t exactly in abundance, let alone the Seaside! From the age of 9, I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks every year in Shoreham by Sea,  through a charity of volunteers that enabled country holidays to be experienced by city children.  Those experiences of living by the sea are my most treasured childhood memories.  

Since living here I’ve truly found ‘my happy place’!

Committee Member & Events Coordinator

Kim Gallaway

Hi, I’m Kim Gallaway,
Born in South Wales, moved to Hampshire as a child, then married with 3
children we lived in Peacehaven.
My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly. So I sold the family home
and moved to Shoreham and now in Widewater with my new partner.
Always lived within distance of the sea but never quite this close, a real
stones throw. What a special and beautiful place this is to share with the
wildlife.
I have a few hobbies… did Am dram for many years … love to sing with
a choir… reading, walking .. to name but a few.
I’m more than happy to work on new projects and look forward to getting
to know other neighbours and WOW committee members

Committee Member & Members Communication Secretary

Frank Fletcher

Frank and Maureen discovered the Widewater by accident in late 1981, fell in love with it and moved here at Easter 1982.  It is fair to assume we will probably stay.

Frank joined the WoW committee in the halcyon pre-pandemic days when the world was full of excitement and potential and the lagoon and its surroundings were a haven for those seeking peace and nature by the sea.  Now those days are returning.

Frank has a background in marketing and market research but hopes you won’t hold that against him.

He had the pleasure and privilege of writing and/or collating a monthly column for the wonderful but sadly short-lived Inside Lancing and Sompting magazine.  Some of these ‘Widewater rambles’ have been preserved for posterity elsewhere on this website.  it was a great opportunity while it lasted; maybe further opportunities lie ahead.

Committee Member & Facebook Moderator

Barrie Turner (together with beautiful Lulu)

Hello, I’m Barrie,
I retired after twelve years in Maritime Search and Rescue prior to moving to Lancing in Febuary 2025. My wife Ann and I love the area and joined WOW shortly after settling in. Although l am originally from the midlands, I have lived in the Brighton and Hove area for nearly thirty years.

Thanks to my old job, I acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the inshore waters and coastal tides along Lancing and Shoreham, including Aldrington basin, the river Adur and Wide Water Lagoon.
We walk on the sea front every day with our rescue dog Lulu. This gives me the opportunity to regularly post photo’s of Wide Water on the WOW Facebook page.

Since moving here I have learnt so much more about Wide Water, It’s history, ecology and wildlife, especially the swans. I feel very welcomed and ‘at home’ here.

We have both been involved in dog rescue, my personal hobbies include sailing, kayaking, walking and vintage motorcycles.
I was invited to join the committee very recently and look forward to helping and learning more about this special place.

Committee Member

Mike Fielder

I have always had a love for anything related to the sea, ever since I was a young boy. Jacques Cousteau was my hero!! I trained as a scuba diver and love swimming , I’ve done some kayaking, anything to be near water really.
 
My work background is mainly in Primary School teaching but I was in engineering initially. I loved teaching the children about the natural world and see the Widewater Lagoon as such an amazing resource, as well as obviously, a beautiful place for everyone to come and enjoy.
 
My partner and I walk along the seafront most days and love watching how things change over time, especially at Widewater and with all this in mind, I want to help out in whatever ways I can to help maintain its flora and fauna.

Committee Member & Mitigation Pipe Effectiveness Monitor – Peter Whitton

Lancing Parish Council Representative on WoW Committee.

Lee Cowen

Lancing Parish Council Representative on WoW Committee.

Vanessa Evans

Committee Associate 

Jo Procter

Hi. My name is Jo Procter and I was a Committee member of WOW and between 2007 and 2025.  I came to live on the Widewater with my family in 2007 and we fell in love with this beautiful place and we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!

I developed a particular interest and passion for swans and some may know me as the Swan Lady! I work as a volunteer at the Swan Sanctuary, a wonderful hospital and sanctuary for sick and injured swans in Shepperton and I rescue swans locally.  I can be contacted for the rescue of sick or injured Swans and other birds.  07754 847239

I resigned from the Committee in 2025 but I will continue to be a member of WOW and will continue to provide support to the committee in various projects. We are lucky to have this lovely Nature Reserve on our doorstep and it is a pleasure and privilege to be part of a friendly, community group who love and care for it.