Pagham

Each time I travel around the district I become more aware of historical and interesting facets of our locality. Earlier this year I was taking another look at Pagham and Nyetimber, an area I feel sure that still many people think is ‘out there’ but do not travel to see what is available. I would say that there are still some companies, organisations and people who will insist in stating that they live in Pagham, Nr. Chichester, to them I say ‘what about us’?

There are so many aspects that it is difficult to know where to start. Did you know, for instance, that the original village of Pagham was at one time one of the largest ports in England and was used to send wool to Europe? However the harbour silted up in the 14th century and the wealth of the area diminished. Let us first go down to the beach - here it is possible to walk and see one of the Mulberry Harbours that were constructed as part of the war effort in 1944. On the beach there is a large rock, which has a plaque providing information on this particular part of the war effort,

and also to act as a memorial to mark the 55th anniversary of the D. Day landings in 1944 also the historic association of Pagham beach with these Mulberry Harbours. These 6,000-ton structures were to be used during the liberation of Europe and by 5th June 50 had been assembled between Pagham Beach and Selsey. This was done apparently to ‘hide them from enemy view’. During the summer of 1944 they were used along the Normandy Coast to allow thousands of men and equipment to land as part of the invasion at that time.

The Pagham beach area has of course over the years come in for many historical reviews and articles both in the national and local press, also in certain magazines for the interesting homes that were created with the arrival of the railway carriages. These were originally to be holiday homes, but over the years, the climate and location made them an excellent location for permanent residence, and now these carriages have been swallowed into more modern homes. It is still possible to see the outline of some of the carriages in gardens being used as sheds, or as

part of club houses. Sometimes when homes are sold today, they include the phrase ‘complete with interesting features,’ this can mean original windows, frames or other memorabilia from the original carriages.

Church Farm holiday complex today of course dominates any aerial view of the district, but this also contains mention of 2nd World War use, such as the site of the World War 2 Firing Range and also one area in the complex is known as ballast hole!

Still staying in this vicinity we have the church of St. Thomas A’ Becket. The Saxons built the first church in the 7th century AD, on land given by Caedulla, King of Wessex to St. Wilfrid, in gratitude for having saved the people of the area from starvation. Now with that amount of history it is certainly somewhere to visit, and the Vicar, who is holding two open afternoons for you to take a look around his church, is making this possible.

One feature of great interest is the Rose Window, presented by St. Arthur du Cros in memory of the convalescence of King
George V.

There are so many interesting facts connected with this church I suggest you pay a visit on either the afternoon of Tuesday 3rd or 10th June at 2.30 p.m.

Over the years the visitor to any area would have looked for a welcoming hostelry and they would have been well catered for with The Lion and The Lamb. Each of these premises has its own tale to tell, such as The Lion, which is thought to have been built in the 15th century, and there are tales that smugglers used it, and that it contains a priest home and a secret panel. The Lamb is reputed to have been built about 1702/6 and was an early ale house. The Bear has had two sites and is today known for the start of the annual Pagham Pram Race on Boxing Day. The Inglenook hotel was developed from the conversion of two cottages approx. 400 – 500 years ago. More recently the Kings Beach was opened during the expansion of the area in the 1930’s. Its name is developed from the fact that King George V stayed at Craigweil nearby the local beach – i.e. Kings Beach.

Walking around the village there are so many hidden aspects of history, such as the windmill which is now a retirement housing association, one of the ‘oldest houses in the land’, which is currently a convalescent home situated in a cul-de-sac. Originally it would have been a house along a typical farm track of the time. There are also quite a number of thatched cottages some on the main roads, others hidden behind modern constructions.

The 1807 Guide to Bognor or Hothamton provides only a brief description of the area, but states that it is ‘at least four miles distant from Bognor, and though not much frequented by company, its proximity to the sea, its harbour, and situation at the base of a peninsula, claim our notice, or, at least, amply repay the trouble of a visit.’

In 1964 much of the area around the sea was declared a Nature Reserve and this now includes over 700 acres of salt marsh and nearly 400 acres of farmland. The area is now frequented not only by wintering wildfowl and migrating waders but also by us, the general public, who come to enjoy the peace and solitude of the area.

There is in existence a clearly designated Pagham Heritage trail leaflet showing many aspects, where you can either walk, cycle or drive, and part of this walk is just one of the events planned during the Festival of Local History, so take a look at the programme for more information to enable you to take part, and enjoy this part of our district. Why not join a group of interested people at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday 15th June at St. Ninian’s Church and soak up the history of the area.

Please take this opportunity to have a look at the features of this area whilst enjoying the surroundings. If it is a nice day take a look at the beach and try to find some of the railway carriages – but remember parking is sometimes difficult, so take care.

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