West Thorney

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption= An Avro Anson
latitude= 50.81587
longitude= -0.91041
official_name = West Thorney
population =
shire_district= Chichester
shire_county= West Sussex
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Chichester
post_town=
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= SU768023

West Thorney is a village and civil parish in the District of Chichester in West Sussex, England located 9 kilometres (5.4 miles) west of Chichester south of the A27 road.

West Thorney is on the east coast of Thorney Island,the southern part of a peninsula of land between two arms of Chichester Harbour, separated from the mainland by a channel called the Great Deep. Just to the south is the smaller ‘’’Pilsey Island’’’, a haven for birds. The island was a World War II airfield which remained in use until 1976. Since 1982 the base has been used by the Royal Artillery. Only the church and coastal footpath are open to the public [ [http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/2043/ Walking Britain; walk 2043] ] . It is necessary to gives ones name and address by intercom to be allowed through remotely controlled gates.The parish has a land area of 1223 hectares (3021 acres). In the 2001 census 1079 people lived in 217 households, of whom 679 were economically active.

The Parish Church

The Anglican parish church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The original building dates from around 1100 A.D. probably on the orders of Bishop Warlewast.

History

The Manor of Thorney belonged to the chapelry of Bosham at the Norman conquest and was held by the Bishops of Exeter. In 1086 A.D. the Domesday Book recorded that 'Mauger holds of the land of this church 12 hides as one manor; it is called Tornei and pays geld for 8 hides'. It was sold by the Bishop of Exeter in 1548 to Thomas Fisher, who the following year sold it to Henry Bickley. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41741 British History Online] ]

References

ee also