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Midhurst

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Midhurst
Statistics
Population: 4,889 (2001)
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:SU8821
Administration
District: Chichester
Shire county: Sussex
Region: South East England
Constituent country:England
Sovereign state:United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county: West Sussex
Historic county: Sussex
Services
Police force: Sussex Police
Fire and rescue: {{{Fire}}}
Ambulance:South East Coast
Post office and telephone
Post town: Midhurst
Postal district: GU29
Dialling code: 01730
Politics
UK Parliament:
European Parliament: South East England
Image:Flag of England.svg

Midhurst is a market town in West Sussex with a population of approximately 5000. The town is situated on the River Rother and is home to the magnificent ruin of the Tudor Cowdray House and the stately Victorian Cowdray House. Country Life magazine rated Midhurst the second best town in England.

In the 2001 census the parish covered 333 hectares and had 2,327 households with a total population of 4,889. 2,258 residents were economically active.

Contents

[edit] History

Formerly standing within the ground of Midhurst Castle, the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Denys was mentioned in 1291 and later in 1367 as standing, "in a place called Courtgene". The interior of the church has undergone much restoration and change and little evidence exists of its Medieval heritage. Consisting of chancel and nave flanked by aisles on both sides, the church was largely rebuilt in the Perpendicular style in 1422, towards the end of Henry V's reign.

In 1605 the owner of Cowdray House, Anthony-Maria Browne, 2nd Viscount Montagu, was briefly arrested in connection with the Gunpowder Plot. He was suspected as a plotter because he briefly employed Guy Fawkes as a footman and stayed away from Parliament on 5 November following a warning from Robert Catesby. He is buried in Midhurst Church.

It would appear that the castle was dismantled by the Bishop of Durham sometime between 1284 and 1311. The earlier owners being the de Bohum family who abandoned the castle in favour of Cowdray in 1280.

[edit] The Town

Map sources for Midhurst at grid reference SU8821

Each year the town hosts the "Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup" which is a major polo competition. This is held on the estate of Lord Cowdray, with the final played outside the ruins. Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family are often seen playing here.

This same spot was the venue for a charity concert featuring Pink Floyd (minus Waters) in 1993.

Midhurst Deanery is a Deanery of the Church of England comprising 22 churches in the Rother valley between Midhurst and Petersfield.

[edit] Education

The main school is Midhurst Grammar School which was founded in 1672. The school's most famous alumnus is HG Wells. Although still called a Grammar School, it has been a modern comprehensive for many years. It has fallen upon bad times recently, due to poor league table results and failing standards recognised by school inspectors, resulting in the resignation of its headmaster. There is also a comprehensive middle school for pupils aged 10 to 13 at Midhurst Intermediate School

[edit] Midhurst Constituency

The town was first represented in the Parliament of 1301 and was consistently represented from 1382 onwards. Initially the town had two Members of Parliament. The electors were the owners of certain properties, which were marked by "burgage stones", one of these stones remains and can be seen in a building next to the public library. In 1831 there were only 41 eligible voters and Midhurst was considered a rotten borough. In the Great Reform Act of 1832 Midhurst was reduced to one Member of Parliament and the constituency was expanded to include most of the surrounding villages. In 1883 Midhurst lost its status as a Borough and its right to elect a Member of Parliament.

Members who represented Midhurst include:

[edit] Transport

[edit] Rail

Midhurst was once on the Guildford to Chichester line. The line to Chichester closed in 1951 following the collapse of one of the bridges. The line to Guildford was finally closed down in the 60's as part of the Beeching Plan.

In addition there was a line to Pulborough via Petworth.

[edit] Road

The A272 runs through the town.

[edit] Air

Midhurst is an hours drive from Gatwick.

[edit] Emergency Services

Midhurst is served by these emergency sevices:

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikivisual.com/index.php/Midhurst"
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