Wednesday 27 February 2013

Chichester

It has been ages since I've 'blogged'... I thought this might be a chance to reminisce a bit about the lovely area that we live in. So I am slightly changing tack on my previous (and fortunately long forgotten) blogs.

What is on offer in our lovely city of Chichester? Well, plenty!

The Cross

The main meeting point in Chi is The Cross. As Chi has 4 main roads (North, South, East and West) that cross each other more or less in the middle of Chi, it makes sense to meet there!
Chichester Market Cross 2006
The Cross was built around 1501. Bishop Story paid £10 for the land it is built on. I have heard that he was fed up with the women of the city trading in the cathedral or on the grounds and built the cross to give them their own place to trade from.

Chichester Cathredral

Read more about the Cathedral in the blog 'Chichester Cathedral'.
Every 'tour' of Chi I've taken friends and family on, have included the Cathedral!

View of the cathedral from city walls (Ian and Elna)


Over the fields from Hunston

Building work on the cathedral started in 1076 and it was only in 1108 that Bishop Luffa was able to dedicate the building.
One thing that I find fascinating is that the spire had collapsed in 1861 and had to be rebuilt (completed in 1866).

The cathedral is a real treasure trove. Many pieces of art have been commissioned over the years. Here are some...
Miserichords (choir stalls)
As the choir members rest their bum on these, they often depict
monsters and demons or things that deserve disrespect!

The famous Chagall window

John Piper tapestry
'Do not touch me' painting
Apparently a lady objected to a painting of Mary Magdeline in the  church
and stuck her umbrella through the painting (the brown dot at the
bottom of the stairs, left)
The Bishop's Garden is beautiful and enclosed by the original walls around the city.


The walls

It is possible to walk around the city mostly on the original walls that were built in the Roman times.
Walls by Priory Park (Retha)
(Ian and Elna)

Priory Park

Another favourite place to visit,


View of cathedral, Guildhall and old castle (motte & bailey) from the walls
A spot of cricket, featuring DS and walls in background
A Medieval Festival in Priory Park with reenactments...


Heavy chain mail!




Other stuff

A few of the other interesting things Chi has to offer.
The original Shippams sign (Retha)

Old Cross Pub (Retha)

Used to be the MacciD's. Now Next. (Retha)

The Swallow Bakery has the best cupcakes in the world! (Retha)

Clarks shop sign (Retha)


Memorial Garden (Retha)

(Retha)


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