The First Line RoM Prize 2025 – A Website We Are Proud To Have Built
At Bognor Websites we love building websites that make a difference, and one of our recent projects was especially close to home. We were proud to create the new website for The First Line RoM Prize 2025, a sketch competition run in memory of Roland Bonham Manuel. The competition is supported by the Blake Cottage Trust and celebrates the vitality and freedom of imagination that defined both Roland’s life and William Blake’s legacy.
Celebrating Imagination And Expression
The First Line Prize invites artists of all ages and backgrounds to take part by creating a sketch that captures the freedom of expression found in a private sketchbook. Unlike highly polished pieces, these works are intended to be spontaneous, expressive and authentic. Entries must be created using traditional materials on paper, photographed in good light and submitted online. Digital artwork will not be considered, as the prize is focused on the unique character of real-world tools such as pencil, charcoal and pastel.
A Local Connection To William Blake
The prize has a strong connection to Felpham, where William Blake once lived. His notebook, preserved in the British Library, is filled with sketches and ideas that inspired later works. In the same spirit, the First Line RoM Prize will showcase shortlisted entries near Blake’s Cottage, bringing creativity back to the place where Blake himself found inspiration.
Prizes And Opportunities
The competition is free to enter, with a top prize of £700 for the winning sketch. There is also a dedicated Schools Prize of £200 open to pupils aged 12 to 18 in Bognor Regis or those living within the PO21 and PO22 postcode areas. Entries close on 30 August 2025, with submissions accepted via email to blakefestival@gmail.com or through the website entry form.
Remembering Roland Bonham Manuel
The prize is held in memory of Roland, who lived with Plasma Cell Leukemia and Myeloma before passing away on 30 August. Roland had a lifelong passion for sketching and often credited Worthing Art School for giving him an education for life. Whether designing technical installations or drawing for pleasure, he sketched until the very end, even from his hospital bed.
A Life Of Energy And Inspiration
Roland’s achievements went far beyond art. After his diagnosis in 2013, he returned to Judo and went on to win medals at major competitions including the National Masters in Edinburgh and the Commonwealth Games in 2019. He was also an avid climber and an inspiring teacher who gave his energy freely to others. To those who knew him, his determination to make the most of every moment was unforgettable.
A Lasting Legacy
Roland’s partner Rachel described Judo as his therapy, a way for him to switch everything else off and focus on the moment. Friends and colleagues remember him as someone who not only excelled in his own right but also nurtured others, opening doors for people starting out in the arts and lighting industries. The RoM Prize is a fitting tribute, continuing his legacy of creativity, generosity and inspiration.
If you would like to enter the competition or learn more, please visit the official website we built for the project: rora.me.uk.
At Bognor Websites we are proud to support meaningful projects like this, combining professional website design with causes that matter. If you are looking for a website that tells your story and helps you connect with your audience, get in touch with us today. Your new website could be live in just a few weeks.