Kirdford
| Kirdford | |
| Sussex | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ017266 |
| Location: | 51°1’48"N, -0°32’59"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,063 (2011) |
| Post town: | Billingshurst |
| Postcode: | RH14 |
| Dialling code: | 01403 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Chichester |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Horsham |
Kirdford is a village in Sussex. Its nearest town is Petworth, six and a half miles south-west of the village. The parish population at the 2011 census was 1,063.
The village has an Church of England church, St John the Baptist, plus an Evangelical non-denominational chapel "Kirdford chapel". There are two pubs, The Foresters Arms and the Half Moon. Other amenities include a shop and the village hall which was enlarged in 1977.
In the Middle Ages iron production using ironstone and charcoal, and forest glass making were important industries. In the twentieth century apple growing was established through a cooperative venture, Kirdford Growers, based at the western end of the village. This has now ended and the warehouse site is being used for house building.
The parish church
There is no reference to a church in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Grade I listed church of St. John the Baptist is built of local sandstone and roofed with Horsham stone slabs.[1] Herringbone masonry and the style of column capitals indicate that the nave is early twelfth century. The north aisle is thirteenth century and the tower fifteenth. The tower carries a peel of six bells and a clock. There are four stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe.[2]
Near the road junction to the west of the church an inscribed stone set into the old rectory wall warns against drunkenness in no uncertain terms.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Kirdford) |
