Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Each summer they come, on their annual migration to Bognor Regis, and launch themselves from a perch 60 feet above the pier. The ritual of the Birdmen of Bognor is 23 years old, the brainchild of a scoutmaster from Selsey, a village a few miles down the coast. (His troop needed to raise money for new tents.) The competition now draws crowds of more than 100,000 - mostly to the benefit of local businesses, although charities get a share. Photographs by Dod Miller
Strange birds: a man calling himself Dr Ulrich Strange and claiming to be a lecturer in mathematics at Oxford University, emerges (far left) from a giant cuckoo clock to leap into the water at Bognor. Birdmen at the rival Eastbourne competition included Andy Bloor (left), a local builder, and Alistair Myles (below) disguised as a flying fish For some of the birdmen, perhaps for most of them, dressing up in the costume is the thing. Others, such as Robert Hiscott, a 65-year-old architect who has studied aerodynamics, really want to fly. He won the prize for the longest flight at Bognor last y ear, and had to be rescued for his pains (far left). His son, Paul Hiscott, modelled his six-winged Bumble Bike (above) on the humble bee
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments