Aldwick a magnet for the wealthy

Its history, of course, was originally within the parish of Pagham where it had nestled since the Middle Ages.

It was principally farmland with farm houses and cottages for farm workers. The main farms were situated at Aldwick Willowhale and Grange Farm.

Originally known as Aldewycke, it was a tithing of Pagham and was thought to be the administrative centre of the Canterbury estates around the 14th century. Part of the land was sold to Sir Richard Hotham in 1789. The arrival of Sir Richard in the area attracted the wealthy, and prosperous merchants built their own seaside homes.

Six such houses were built along the coastline between the area now known as West Park and Barrack Lane.

In this area around the 1800s there was a military barracks built, almost facing today's pond, and was one of the defence points against the threatened invasions by the French under Napoleon.

At this time Aldwick farm was separate from the manor. The manor itself was bought by John Fletcher in 1835 and passed to his son William HB Fletcher in 1899.

Around this time, the area contained many fine houses and cottages '“ there was an iron chapel, inn, grocer, coastguard station, the beginnings of a postal service and by 1896 a small school.

According to the 1807 Origin & Description of Bognor, the area was once known as Aldwick Green and '˜the vicinity of this village to Bognor, and its pleasing situation on the seashore, tempt some visitors to reside in it during the summer, in preference to any other spot in this district'.

In the 1920s, it became primarily a residential area with, for example, Aldwick Place, having been the estate of Baron Grant who had died in 1899.

The baron became notable for his lending of money, property speculation and company promotions. During his residency, he entertained lavishly and during his life became Deputy Lieutenant of Tower Hamlets and was elected MP for Kidderminster.

Other notable people in the area were William Fletcher, who bought several parcels of land, and latterly Roland Rank purchased a large area of farmland, just north of Fish Lane.

The sales particulars for Aldwick Place in the 1930s stated that it was situated in a '˜premier residential position with direct frontage to the beach immediately west of Bognor'.

The sales particulars continue with the information that '˜Aldwick is a favoured coastal village immediately west of Bognor Regis on a delightful stretch of the Sussex coast surrounded by beautiful countryside'.

Other visits took place in 1929 when King George V arrived to convalesce in the Parish of Pagham at Craigweil House. Of course ultimately Bognor became known as Bognor Regis and in 1933 extended its boundaries to take in the areas of Pagham, Aldwick, Bersted and Felpham.

During the 1930s much high quality redevelopment took place thus increasing the residential nature of the area. Some of the roads were named to continue the flavour of the King's stay with the naming of King's Parade and Princess Avenue.

With the increasing need for housing, smaller properties were constructed in the Rose Green area.

One of the features of these homes was their large, fenced-in gardens '“ later this changed to allow for more open estates.

Many of the houses were built in self-contained estates and this became a feature of Aldwick, with many having their own shops and facilities and a residents' association. These associations were the forerunner of parish and town councils.

Aldwick has recorded numerous important events, other than the visit of the King in 1929; for example, the well-known house Paradise, in Dark Lane, was destroyed by fire in 1909.

It has been constructed in 1802 for Sir Thomas Brooke Pechell and was seen as a construction that 'typified the penchant for the picturesque', which was fashionable at that time.

Referring back to the 1807 guide, a report on Sir Thomas Pechell's home remarks that it stood '˜on a delightful eminence, commanding a variegated and extensive prospect, and at whose foot the sea breaks with unavailing rage. You discover, hanging over the beach, a thatched cottage, more remarkable for its simplicity than for its architectural ornaments'. How many premises today would warrant this type of prose to describe its location and design?

Another well recorded event was the wrecking of the 96-ton French brig, Carnot, which was stranded on Aldwick beach in December 1912.

The vessel carried a cargo of 110 barrels of herrings and 160 tons of cement. It is still possible to see remains of this cement off Dark Lane. Education also forms a part of the Aldwick story with the beautiful building of Craigweil Lodge being renamed Martineau House when it was used as a seaside school from 1955 by a trust set up in Birmingham for sending disadvantage children to the seaside. What a different world it would have been for these children '“ from Birmingham to the seaside!

The school finally closed in 1987. Aldwick Place was also involved in education when for a time it was used as a boys' preparatory school around 1914. There was also the Dr Barnardo's home for boys on the area now known as St Margaret's Close and finally there was Sefter School '“ a school that still holds so many memories for people in this district.

Aldwick does have a rich history and, the original local historian of the area was Lindsay Fleming who lived at Aldwick Grange from where, in 1949/50, he produced his three-volume History of Pagham.

He died in 1966 aged just 64. He left an invaluable document providing detailed historical information on Pagham, Aldwick, Rose Green and, of course, Bognor Regis.

More recently The Paradise Rocks book by Michael Alford has been published which paints an incredible view of the area in the 1930s while encompassing the surrounding area from the perspective of a child.

Let us hope that such a record of today will exist for historians of the future.