West Thorney
| West Thorney | |
| Sussex | |
|---|---|
 West Thorney Church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU768023 |
| Location: | 50°48’57"N, 0°54’37"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,183 (2011) |
| Post town: | Emsworth |
| Postcode: | PO10 |
| Dialling code: | 01243 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Chichester |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Chichester |
West Thorney is a village in south-western Sussex, five miles west of Chichester, south of the A27 road.
The village stands on 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 Second World War airfield RAF Thorney Island 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.[1] It is necessary to give one's name and address by intercom to be allowed through remotely controlled gates.[2]
The 2011 Census recorded the population as 1,183.
The parish church
The 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.[3]
About the village
Chichester Harbour is partly within the parish. This is a wetland of international importance, a Special Protection Area for wild birds and a Special Area of Conservation. The harbour is of particular importance for wintering wildfowl and waders of which five species reach numbers which are internationally important.[4]
Pilsey Island
Pilsey Island is a small island in Chichester Harbour, just off the south eastern tip of Thorney Island. The island is an RSPB nature reserve[5] and a designated Local Nature Reserve.[6]
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about West Thorney) |
References
- ↑ Walking Britain; walk 2043
- ↑ "Sussex seashore, Thorney Island, West Sussex". The Guardian (London). 12 June 2009. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/jun/12/walk-guide-thorney-island.
- ↑ A History of the County of Sussex - Volume 4 pp 195-197: West Thorney (Victoria County History)
- ↑ SSSI listing and designation for Chichester Harbour
- ↑ "About Pilsey Island". RSPB. 21 March 2012. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/pilseyisland/about.aspx.
- ↑ "Pilsey Island". Natural England. http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&N=pilsey&ID=337.
