“Greetings to the good people of Bognor.

My name is Bucge.

I am the guardian of my people and keeper of the book of noble earthly truths.

My kindred have honoured me with the title of the majestic bēce or bōc, the Queen of the Woods, which is revered and greatly sustains us.  You will know this as the beech tree, which gives us shelter and firewood by its branches, feeds us and our livestock by its mast and the means to record our customs by its bark.

More than 1,300 winters have passed since we travelled from across the sea and made this place our home.

My traditions and customs may seem strangely familiar to you, if made clear in translation, and I offer them to you with good grace for your own good fortune”.

• “Be secure in your hearts and protect each other.
• Take good care of your health and use your fitness of mind to make good choices.
• Listen carefully to the stories of your kinfolk for they will help with your understanding.
• Learn from each other and build great agility and resilience together.
• Stand before each other and swear allegiance to your shared enrichment.
• I wish you well in your pursuance of truth, happiness and long life and thank you for taking care of this place we call home”.