CHICHESTER

:''For the larger local government district, see Chichester (district).''
'Chichester' is a small cathedral city in West Sussex, England, with a population of 23,731, (2001 Census) whose population trebles during the summer months due to its proximity to the broad sand beaches of England's southern coast. A seasonal population increase that is itself responsible for the relative proliferation of facilities and national chain stores, in regard to the relatively small size of its resident population. Once renowned for possessing the highest concentration of pubs or bars per square mile within the United Kingdom, it is also a single civil parish, and 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 prime venues outside of London's "West End. "
The City of Chichester is twinned with:

★ Chartres, France

★ Ravenna, Italy

The 8 areas of Chichester Conservation

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 very close to what would have been the city walls, in around 80 AD. Unfortunately this is now buried under land currently used as a park, and all that remains of it is a notice board.

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" [1] 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 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.

Chichester Cross, 1831 illustration	Chichester Cross, 2002

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. Within the nave of the cathedral can be seen 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 is 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 Huskinsson, 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 City United FC 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). The Sharks were National Champions 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 world-renowned Chichester Festival Theatre whose annual summer season attracts the highest calibre of actors, writers and directors and is widely considered one of the most important annual events in British theatre.

Pallant House Gallery

Pallant House Gallery has a major collection of art and in 2006 opened its new extension that houses the collection of Professor Sir Colin St John Wilson. It also has an exhibition programme.

Butter Market

The Butter Market was designed by architect John Nash, and was opened in 1808.
In 1900, a second story was added to the building, originally used as an arts institute.
It is currently still in use by various small business. The local council wants to re-develop the building, which would force all the current occupiers out, with no guarantee that they would be able to return, once the development has finished.

Corn Market

The Corn Market was built in 1833, and was designed to sell various produce like butter, cheese and vegetables separately from live-stock.
Over the years its usaged changed to a theatre (in the late 19th century), a cinema (1923-1948),a restaurant, and then in use by McDonalds. It is currently in use by the Next clothing retailers.

Music

The city has an impressive music scene and in recent years the city has experienced an exciting growth of various genres.

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 2000 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. In 2007 Chichester RAJF is sponsored by international publishers, John Wiley & Sons, whose UK headquarters are located in Chichester.

Education

Infant, primary and secondary schools

Chichester is home to:

★ Bishop Luffa School

★ Central Church of England Junior School

★ Chichester High School for Girls

★ Chichester High School for Boys

★ Chichester Nursery School and Children's Centre

★ Lancastrian Infant School

★ Prebendal School established in 1497.

★ Rumboldswhyke Church of England Infant School

★ St Richards Roman Catholic Primary School

★ Kingsham 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 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.

Fairtrade city

South Street

The Fairtrade Chichester Group was set up in November 2005 by local volunteers with two aims:

★ The short-term aim was to achieve Fairtrade City accreditation for Chichester.

★ The long-term aim was (and is) to use Fairtrade City accreditation as the springboard for spreading the provision of Fairtrade products in shops, cafes, businesses, schools and community organisations as widely as possible, and to promote among the people of Chichester the idea of Fairtrade and the role it has in the battle against world poverty.

References

★ Alec Down. ''Roman Chichester''. Chichester: Phillimore, 1988. ISBN 0-85033-435-7

★ Chichester Museum ''The Butter Market'' http://www.chichester.gov.uk/museum/tl8110.htm

★ Chichester Observer ''Redevelopment Of Butter Market'' http://www.chichester.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=448&articleid=2849236

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