Westfield, East Sussex

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

static_image_caption=
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 = 19.1
population=2,618 (Parish-2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|355|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ811154
latitude=50.91
longitude=0.58
post_town=HASTINGS
postcode_area=TN
postcode_district=TN35
dial_code=01424
constituency_westminster=Bexhill and Battle
london_distance=convert|51|mi NW
shire_district=Rother
shire_county=East SussexKnown as Westewelle in the Domesday survey, Westfield in the Rother District of East Sussex is one of the largest villages in the area; and also a civil parish, [ [http://www.westfieldparish.co.uk/ Westfield Parish Council website] ] the latter with a population of around 2,750. The village lies six miles (10 km) inland and two miles (3 km) north of "The Ridge" which overlooks Hastings. Westfield has not suffered the population drift that has affected many villages as there is local employment such as the Wheel Farm Business Park where small companies have created 120 jobs; Carr-Taylor Vineyards is also local. There is still a village shop, newsagents, butchers and hairdressers, although the post office closed in November 2000. There are two pubs: the "New Inn" and "The Plough".

A prominent sight when entering the village from the south is the church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, [see Westfield Parish Council website, which includes notes on the church] which has served the parishioners for over 800 years. Its many features include extensive buttressing, a 12th-century porch and a 14th-century font with an elaborate 17th-century cover. Above the door to the tower there is carved a Royal Coat of Arms with the list of vicars since 1250 set below. Looking towards the nave there is a Norman arch with squint windows to the side, cut through the 32 inches of stone. Another feature at the road entrance is the lychgate, with its four carved angels; this was added in 1887 as a memorial to a deceased child.

Westfield Football Club play in the Sussex County League Division Two. [ [http://www.westfieldfc.co.uk Westfield Football Club website] ]

Landmarks

The parish contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest—Maplehurst Wood. This is a Convert|78|acre ancient woodland containing a range of flora and avian fauna. It is the only East Sussex site for Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia). [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002995 |title=Natural England - SSSI |accessdate=2008-06-01|publisher=English Nature]

References