Due to their fairly recent date, finding information about the properties in the 1930s development of Westgate, and the side streets, has proved a challenge except for the few that were built in earlier times. The censuses stop at 1921 for example and we have not trawled the electoral rolls for privacy.
However, we are endeavouring to write up as much of this recent history as is made available. This stops around 1950 to reduce or avoid invading the privacy of current residents.
The parklands estate lies to the north of Westgate, bordering the back gardens of the houses on that side. It was built on farmland that had belonged to the church; indeed, the land sold in 1878 for the St Bartholomew’s vicarage, which became number 74, was owned by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
In our article on nos. 27-39 Westgate, much space has been given to the Shippam grocery business which occupied this site in the 19th century. This was not however the famous Shippam family of the Shippam Pastes. That business was founded by a different member of the family but, confusingly with the same name. This article completes the story of the Shippam family but is not of direct relevance to the history of Westgate.
Shippam’s Pastes
Along with no 25, no 23 is one of a pair of workman’s cottages
Roy Morgan writes:
“The house is recorded as far back as 1379 and is also mentioned 1570. The pair of cottages are recorded in Land tax from 1780 and are shown on Gardner’s map of 1797”.
No. 23 specifically occurs twice elsewhere in the story of this street:
In 1936 the lease owned by the Church Commissioners for the buildings at the top of Westgate – which included the Coach House and stable yard as well as what is now no. 5 – were let to the Chichester Theological College. This whole block, renamed Marriot House, was used for accommodation with eighteen students and 2 members of staff. There were 20 bedrooms, 4 WCs and 4 bathrooms. The main building for the College was No. 52 Westgate.
These notes on the history of this property are by Anne Sparrow. Historic references are in bold to assist further research.
“When we bought No. 68 Westgate, on the deeds it was noted that it was originally called ‘Westgate Close’ [also “Crantock” in Kelly’s directory 1938 – RNB]. The name appeared on the wooden gate that was seldom used, owing to the regular use by our two cars, which were accommodated in an unusual double garage beneath an adjoining flat.
Built about 1935 and originally called ‘Pantiles’, this property is situated on one of several parcels of land between Salthill Road and Westgate which had originally belonged to the brewer, George Henty.
We have recorded elsewhere, that in 1780 the founder of the Brewery, William Humphrey (Snr), had bought land in Scuttery Fields (of which you may not know today’s Brewery Field remains a rump), to build some malthouses.
This article first appeared on 30 July 2016 as part of an occasional series of historical items that relate to Westgate and have been somehow Hidden from History. We are grateful to Westgate resident Rachel Moriarty for a host of new material which has resulted in this much expanded version (May 2017). Recently the church has been sold to a private owner who has respected the graves but removed the crosses and the trees (2024).
Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 3: Five Good Sisters (updated)
The eastern end of Westgate seems such a perfect Georgian enclave, yet who would have thought standing in the street today, that Mount Lane has contained iconic 20th century buildings and still has an interior by Eric Gill’s brother?
Powell & Moya architects
Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 6: The Powell & Moya Bungalows
