Arlington, East Sussex

Infobox UK place
official_name=Arlington
country=England
region=South East England
static_

static_image_caption=Arlington Reservoir
area_footnotes=cite web |url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/ |title=East Sussex in Figures |accessdate=2008-04-26 |publisher=East Sussex County Council]
area_total_km2 =18.4
population=490 (2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|69|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ543072
latitude=50.84
longitude=0.19
post_town=POLEGATE
postcode_area=BN
postcode_district=BN26
dial_code=01323
constituency_westminster=Lewes
london_distance=convert|47|mi NNW
shire_district=Wealden
shire_county=East Sussex
website=http://www.arlington-parish-council.org.uk/

Arlington is a village and civil parish [ [http://www.arlington-parish-council.org.uk/ Arlington Parish Council] ] in the Wealden district of East Sussex. The parish is on the River Cuckmere, and is the location for a medieval priory, a reservoir and car racetrack.

History

The area has been settled since Anglo-Saxon times. The wooden church in Arlington built by them, having been destroyed by invaders, was later rebuilt, utilising bricks from the nearby Roman road; it was enlarged in the 13th century. [ [http://www.sussexbythecoast.biz/Sussex-Towns-Directory/Arlington--East-Sussex/313/0.htm Tourist Guide for Arlington] ] Michelham Priory, at Upper Dicker, was founded by the Augustinians in 1229; today it is a tourist site.

Geography

Arlington village stands above the left bank of the River Cuckmere. The parish includes the two villages of Arlington and Upper Dicker. It is on a minor road leading north from the A27 road between Polegate and Lewes, and near
Berwick railway station on the East Coastway Line. The village of Upper Dicker, the site of a medieval trade centre (Dicker = barter), is on the river, 1½ miles (2.4 km) to the north.
Arlington Reservoir, on the opposite side of the river, was opened in 1971, and supplies water to the local area, including Eastbourne. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs and is an award-winning conservation site, [ [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/237960 Arlington Reservoir - East Sussex] ] being both a local nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is an important site for bird life, with up to 170 species breeding in the area and 10,000 migrating birds using it each year [ [http://www.sussexcountry.co.uk/descriptions.html Guided Tour of Sussex County] ] and is popular with walkers, and for horse riders and anglers.

Another SSSI within the parish is Lower Dicker, a disused quarry and an important site for the study of the palaeogeography of the Weald. Its geology of sand and sandstone indicating ancient river flows in the area. [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000276 |title=Natural England - SSSI|accessdate=2008-10-03|publisher=English Nature]

Amenities

There are two village halls in the parish, at Arlington and Upper Dicker. That at Arlington holds a weekly Art Club and a village market. There are three public houses: The "Yew Tree Inn" situated near the church; "The Old Oak Inn" in Caneheath, a hamlet to the east of Arlington; and "The Plough Inn" at Upper Dicker. Education is provided at Park Mead Infants School; and at St Bede's Independent Boarding School, Upper Dicker. The post office at Upper Dicker (first mentioned in 1852, when a type of postmark known as an undated circle was issued), was closed in 2008. [ [http://info.itvlocal.com/po_sussex29jan.shtml Closure of post offices in Sussex] ]

Religion

Arlington parish church is dedicated to St Pancras. [ [http://www.stpancras-arlington.org.uk/ St Pancras, Arlington] ] The church at Upper Dicker is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. [ [http://www.ukattraction.com/south-east-england/holy-trinity-church.htm Holy Trinity church] ]

Raceway

Arlington Stadium, near Michelham Priory, used regularly in the summer for race meets. Usually of stock cars, "bangers" and motorbikes. The stadium is the home of speedway team the Eastbourne Eagles. [ [http://www.spedeworth.co.uk/raceways/arlington.htm Arlington Stadium] ]

References