Westham

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

static_image_caption=Stone Cross Windmill
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 =14.2
population=5,829 (Parish-2007)
population_density= Pop density mi2 to km2|1067|precision=0|abbr=yes
os_grid_reference=TQ637045
latitude=50.82
longitude=0.32
post_town=PEVENSEY
postcode_area=BN
postcode_district=BN24
dial_code=01323
constituency_westminster=Bexhill and Battle
london_distance=convert|51|mi NNW
shire_district=Wealden
shire_county=East Sussex
website=http://www.westhamparishcouncil.co.uk/

Westham is a village and large civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The village is adjacent to Pevensey five miles (8 km) north-west of Eastbourne. The parish consists of three settlements: Westham; Stone Cross; and Hankham. The parish is virtually part of the Greater Eastbourne conurbation, and much expansion has been occurring here: hence the large population.

History

Although overshadowed by its close neighbour, Pevensey, Westham is recorded in the Domesday Book. Its name derives from being a hamlet to the west of Pevensey Castle.

Governance

The parish council has twelve elected members. [ [http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/electionsonline/parishcouncilresults.aspx?ParishID=30 Parish council members 2007] ]

Geography

The parish lies along a ridge at the western end of the Pevensey Levels, the area once an inlet of the sea. The main village centre, Westham, is at the eastern end of the parish, and is virtually coterminous with Pevensey village.

Demography

Economy

Landmarks

Stone Cross is the home to a windmill which is located on high ground in the village. This tower mill was built between 1875 and 1876, the last of the type built in Sussex. Although ceasing commercial operation in 1937, it has since been refurbished and is open to the public. [ [http://www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/stoneindex.htm Stone Cross windmill] ] It is a Grade II* listed building. [IoE|295780]

Pevensey Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, lies partially in the parish. The site is of biological interest consisting of low-lying grazing meadows, hosting a wide variety of wetland flora and fauna. [cite web|url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000914 |title=Natural England - SSSI (Pevensey Levels)|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=English Nature]

Transport

The village is served by Pevensey and Westham railway station on the East Coastway Line. The A27 trunk road crosses the parish from west to east.

Education

There are three primary schools serving the parish: Pevensey and Westham School; Hankham County Primary School; and Stone Cross School. [ [http://www.westhamparishcouncil.co.uk/ School in the parish] ]

Religious sites

There are two churches in the civil parish. [ [http://www.westhamparishcouncil.co.uk/ Churches in Westham] ] The 11th-century St Mary's church at Westham [ [http://www.roughwood.net/ChurchAlbum/EastSussex/Westham/WesthamStMary2004.htm St Mary’s Westham] ] is reputed to be the first Norman church in England, although the church at Bramber also claims that title.

St Luke's parish church at Stone Cross (also serving the settlement of North Langley) [ [http://www.roughwood.net/ChurchAlbum/EastSussex/StoneCross/StoneCrossStLuke2004.htm St Luke's Church] ] is a more recent building of 1926; it stands at a crossroads near the windmill. The church fell into disrepair during the 1970s and was refurbished and re-opened in 1988. The church hall is a recent addition to the church and was built in 2003. To the front of the church is the war memorial with the names of local people who lost their life during two world wars, whose names are read out during each Remembrance Sunday service.

Leisure and Culture

Notable people

Ian Gow (1937–90), politician, was assassinated at his home in Hankham by an IRA bomb.

References