Westfield House

Article originally researched and compiled by Paula Chatfield of Parklands RA for her excellent Easter Trail series and published here by permission. Westfield House is one of our older local buildings, built in the 1700s and extended in the early 1800s. The first Ordnance Survey map (1813) shows it clearly – extract below. Its postal… Continue reading Westfield House

The Westgate Brewery part 2

This article appears as a complement to the one published earlier this year From Brewing to Business Services The Westgate Brewery (now home to Mercers, a pensions firm) was founded in 1751 probably by John Dearling and from 1793, taken on by William and Edward Humphrey. The brewery’s association with the Henty family seems to date… Continue reading The Westgate Brewery part 2

The Chichester and Midhurst Railway: Level Crossing

Article adapted from one originally researched and compiled by Paula Chatfield of Parklands RA for her excellent Easter Trail series and re-published here by permission. Before the railway arrived (see 1813 map below), the Westgate/Fishbourne Road was the main road (for foot and horse traffic) between Chichester and Portsmouth. In 1846/7 a level crossing opened… Continue reading The Chichester and Midhurst Railway: Level Crossing

The Suburb of St Bartholomew’s: the C19th population

This text is the last in our series about the Suburb of St Bartholomew, through which Westgate runs. It consists of edited data selected from the 19th century censuses for the historic suburb of St Bartholomew (1801 to 1891)  The 19th century population of the St Bartholomew’s Civil Parish was the same in 1891 as it was in… Continue reading The Suburb of St Bartholomew’s: the C19th population

Chichester Programme for the Diamond Jubilee of 1897

We are very lucky that local historian Ken Green has given us permission to reproduce his collection of historic photos of Westgate and West Street for the delight and education of our residents. Please do not copy these photos for commercial purposes. You will have seen the photo of the gate that was erected for… Continue reading Chichester Programme for the Diamond Jubilee of 1897

The Organ of St Bartholomew’s Church

A chance encounter with Alan Thurlow, retired organist of Chichester Cathedral, has enabled us to do some more research into the pipe organ which may still be seen inside St Bartholomew’s church (once we can get access!). Details of the St Bartholomew’s organ can be found under Survey E00701 on the National Pipe Organ Register… Continue reading The Organ of St Bartholomew’s Church

Chichester & St Bart’s: the Municipal Area

C19th seal of Chichester - Collection Ken Green

Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066 the municipal area of Chichester is not known. From the late 9th century, Alfred had founded his network of Saxon burhs. These lay at the centre of Alfred’s reformed military defence system and were distributed at strategic points throughout the kingdom. Many were former Roman towns, the largest of which was… Continue reading Chichester & St Bart’s: the Municipal Area

Old Maps of Westgate and Chichester 1

Since the launch of the website we have sought to develop our historical archive. Here is a collection of old maps upon which figures Westgate and its surrounding streets in one form or another. 2007 – I know, we are starting with a recent map, but there are no printed Roman maps in existence of… Continue reading Old Maps of Westgate and Chichester 1

The Westgate Brewery part 1

An extract from Loader's 1812 town plan showing Westgate.

From time to time we bring in a guest writer to add to the content of our website. We are grateful to local historian Alan H. J. Green for his permission to reprint this article which originally appeared, entitled “The Westgate Brewery”, in the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society Newsletter 137 of January 2008. And also to… Continue reading The Westgate Brewery part 1

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