Everything about Chichester totally explained
Chichester is a cathedral
city in the
Chichester District of
West Sussex,
England, with a population of 23,731, (2001 Census). It is a single
civil parish, one of six within England with the status of city.
Character
It is the area of local government of the
Chichester district, a largely rural area with a population of over 100,000. It is also the
county town of
West Sussex, home of West Sussex County Council. Highly appealing architecturally, the city is particularly notable for its exceptional collection of 20th century British Modern Art at the Cathedral and Pallant house gallery, its proximity to the outstanding beauty of the South Downs and Goodwood race course, and the quality of the performances of its Festival Theatre, generally recognised, by theatrical professionals as one of the prime venues outside of London's "West End. "
The City of Chichester is
twinned with:
Conservation
The Chichester Conservation Area Character Appraisal was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance on the 8 March 2005 by the District Council's Executive Board.
The area encompasses the whole of the Roman town, with additions to every side: Northgate, Westgate, Southgate, and Eastgate. The Caledonian Road area to the south-east and Summersdale to the north are also included. Further to the north lies the separate conservation area around Graylingwell Hospital, and to the south, the Chichester Conservation Area has been extended recently to include the newly restored canal basin and part of
the canal itself.
The conservation area has been split into eight 'character' areas, based on historic development, building type, uses and activities.
History
Roman times
It has been argued that the area was a bridgehead for the
Roman invasion of Britain. The city centre stands on the foundations of the Romano-British city of
Noviomagus Reginorum, capital of the
Civitas Reginorum, and near to the Roman Palace of
Fishbourne. According to the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle it was captured towards the close of the fifth century, by
Ælle, and renamed after his son,
Cissa. It was the chief city of the
Kingdom of Sussex. The
Roman Road of
Stane Street, connecting Fishbourne Palace with
London, passes through the city centre. The city streets have a cross-shaped layout, inherited from the Romans: radiating outwards from the medieval
market cross lead the North, South, East and West shopping streets. Quite a lot of the
city walls are in place, and may be walked along for some of their length.
An amphitheatre was built close to what would have been the city walls, outside the East Gate in around 80 AD. The remains are now buried under land currently used as a park, but the bank of the amphitheatre is clearly discernible and a notice board in the park gives more information.
Unusual franchise
For 300 years before the
19th century Reform Bills expanded the right to vote for members of
Parliament to include most ordinary citizens, Chichester's residents had enjoyed that right. Famously, when the mayor restricted the vote to only
Freemen in the election of
1660 for the
Convention Parliament that organized the
restoration of the monarchy, the
House of Commons noted that "for One-and-twenty Parliaments, the Commonalty, as well as the Citizens, had had Voice in the electing of Members to serve in Parliament; and that thereupon the Committee were of Opinion, that the Commonalty of the said Borough, together with the free Citizens, have Right of Election"
(External Link
) and overturned the election, seating instead the candidate elected by the more-inclusive Commonality of Chichester, and jailing the mayor for two weeks for contempt because of his wilful denial of the ancient rights.
Similar expanded voting eligibility in the
boroughs of
Tavistock,
Ludgershall,
Plymouth,
Northampton and
Abingdon was also recognized by that same Parliament.
Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral is dedicated to the
Holy Trinity, and contains a shrine to Saint
Richard of Chichester. Its spire, built of the weak local stone, collapsed suddenly and was rebuilt during the
19th century. In the south aisle of the
cathedral a window in the floor affords a view of the remains of a
Roman mosaic pavement. The Cathedral is unusual in the UK in having a separate bell tower a few metres away from the main building, rather than integrated into it. Within the Cathedral there's a medieval tomb of a knight and his wife, the inspiration of the poem "
An Arundel Tomb", by
Philip Larkin. A fine memorial statue also exists of William Huskisson, once Member of Parliament for the City and a friend of William Wilberforce but best remembered as the first man to be run over by a railway engine.
Culture
The city is known for the annual Chichester Festivities, a three-week arts and music festival held in July.
Sport
Chichester has a cricket club, (Chichester Priory Park CC) which has won the Sussex Premier league 5 times, a
rugby club, Chichester R.F.C., and a
football club Chichester City United who play in the
Sussex County League. The city is also home to the Chichester Sharks Flag American Football Club, members of the English Senior Flag League (ESFL). In October 2007, the Sharks won the National Championship, beating Andover Voodoo 31-29 in the final. The Chichester Sharks also won the title in 2003.
The city also offers a well equipped leisure centre with swimming pool, flume, sports hall and fitness room. The centre also plays host to Chichester
Cormorants
swimming club.
Festival Theatre
The city is home to the renowned
Chichester Festival Theatre whose annual summer season attracts actors, writers and directors from the West End, and is considered an important annual event in British theatre.
Pallant House Gallery
Pallant House Gallery, winner of the 2007 gallery of the year
Gulbenkian Prize has a major collection of chiefly modern British art and in 2006 opened its new extension that houses the collection of Professor Sir
Colin St John Wilson. It also has a changing programme of exhibitions.
Butter Market
The Butter Market in North Street was designed by
John Nash, and was opened in 1808 as a food and produce market. In 1900, a second storey was added to the building, originally housing an arts institute.
It is currently still in use by various small business, however Chichester City Council are soon to carry out a full scale renovation of the building, leaving the future of some of the current retailers in some doubt.
Corn Exchange
The Corn Exhange in East Street was built in 1833.
Over the years its use has changed to a theatre (in the late 19th century), a cinema (1923-1948),a restaurant, and then a McDonalds fast food restaurant. It is currently occupied by
Next clothing retailers.
Music
The city has an impressive music scene and in recent years it has experienced growth in various genres. Anthony of
Antony and the Johnsons originates from the city.
Chichester Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1881, the
Chichester Symphony Orchestra plays an important part in maintaining the classical music tradition of the area. A friendly group, the orchestra consists of both amateur and professional players who rehearse on a weekly basis, first and foremost, for the enjoyment of playing together. Three concerts are given each year with the summer concert being part of the Chichester Festivities while the autumn concert is included in the Chichester Cathedral Lunchtime Series.
Chichester RAJF
A cornerstone of the Chichester music scene is
Chichester RAJF (From "Real Ale and Jazz Festival"), a four day festival of music and real ale held each July in tents beside the 13th century Guildhall in Priory Park. Founded in 1981 by members of
Chichester Hockey Club as a fund-raising event, the festival has grown in size and ambition. In the early years the focus was on
traditional jazz and featured performers such as
Kenny Ball,
Humphrey Lyttelton and
Kenny Baker. In the 1990s blues and R&B were introduced and more recently the festival has increased its capacity to 2500 persons and has offered a wide range of popular music including
James Brown,
Status Quo,
Blondie,
Boney M,
Robert Cray,
Hot Chocolate,
Howard Jones,
Go West,
The Pretenders,
The Drifters and
Simple Minds. For 2008, Chichester RAJF has announced Squeeze for Sat 12th July.
Blues on the Farm
Held every June at Pump Bottom Farm 2 miles south of the city, it was founded in 1991 and has become the UK's biggest outdoor blues festival hosting many of the top national and international names in a picturesque and friendly environment.
Roots Around the World
Formed in 2001 the promoters have brought the best in global music to the city and surrounding village halls. www.rootsaroundtheworld.info
Education
Secondary schools
Chichester High School for Boys
Bishop Luffa School
Chichester High School for Girls
Primary schools
Prebendal School established in 1497.
Central Church of England Junior School
St Richards Roman Catholic Primary School
Kingsham Primary School
Jessie Younghusband School
Parklands Primary School
Fishbourne C Of E Primary School
The March C Of E Primary School
Bosham Primary School
Tangmere Primary School
Funtington Primary School
Birdham C Of E Controlled Primary School
Sidlesham Primary School
West Dean C Of E Primary School
Singleton C Of E Primary School
Lavant C of E Primary School
Higher and further education institutions
University of Chichester - initially called Bishop Otter College, throughout its history it has had many names: West Sussex Institute of Higher Education, then Chichester Institute of Higher Education, then University College Chichester; it was more recently granted degree-awarding body status by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, becoming a full university. Whereas Chichester College has always been focused towards vocational qualifications, the University of Chichester has a more academic focus (mainly in The Arts).
Chichester High Schools Sixth Form - Chichester High Schools Sixth Form is the largest Sixth Form in West Sussex and is also one of the most successful. Offering a range of A-Level and vocational courses with full use of a wide-range of facilities at both Boys & Girls High Schools.
Chichester College - formerly Chichester College of Arts, Science and Technology; offers both foundation-level and degree-equivalent courses, mainly focused towards vocational qualifications for industry. The College has recently made significant investment in upgrading facilities, and is now offering a wider range of subject areas in its prospectus.
Transport
Roads
A259
A27
Rail
Chichester railway station, on the West Coastway Line, has regular services to Brighton, London Victoria via Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth, Southampton and Basingstoke. In the past there was a branch line to Midhurst and a short-lived tram line to Selsey.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Chichester'.
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