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Bank Holiday Monday 26 May 2008
To celebrate the link between our St Richard’s Church and Christianity in this area we will journey between some local churches which have been here since St Richard was bishop of Chichester about 750 years ago
The beautiful downland countryside of the Compton area has been settled since the Stone Age and the walk includes the Neolithic long barrow known as Bevis’s Thumb. The South Saxons of the area were converted to Christianity in the 7th century, especially after Bishop Wilfrid was exiled from Northumbria and came to Sussex in the 680’s.
St Michael and All Angels at Up Marden is a simple, remote and lovely church which was established between 1086 and 1121. The present fabric of the church has largely been unaltered since the 13th century. St Mary’s, Compton is mentioned in a Domesday survey of 1086, parts date from 1190 with rebuilding in the 1840’s. St Peter’s Church in East Marden and St Mary’s Church in North Marden both date from the 12th/13th centuries.
The main walk is about five miles long (Option A) and will start at Littlegreen, Compton at 12 o’clock. There is parking at Littlegreen. The walk goes via Bevis’s Thumb and Telegraph Hill to Up Marden Church, then back via Locksash Farm to Compton Church where, by kind permission of the Vicar of Compton, Fr Kieron will celebrate Mass at 3 p.m., followed by refreshments.
A shorter route (Option B) is about two miles long and does not go to Up Marden but carries straight along the bridleway, meeting the other route near Locksash Farm. Suitable for pushchairs if the ground is dry enough by then.
There will also be a car route (Option C) going from Littlegreen to North Marden, East Marden and Up Marden, joining the walkers at Compton for Mass at 3 p.m.
Transport will be arranged round the four churches for those taking the car route. Transport will also be arranged from Chichester to and from Compton for those who wish. The route will be fully marshalled and can be shortened or completed by car if necessary! If you would like to take part please complete and return the form sap
A car map is attached as a pdf file. this can be enlarged by using the viewing controls on your pc.<.p>
Start Point - at Compton Primary School at 12 p.m. Monday 26th May. Please register that you have finished at the Primary school before Mass at 3 p.m. which is followed by refreshments at Compton Primary School or, if wet, at Compton Parish Room. Toilets available at the Parish room. To get to Compton Primary School - turn right into the village square by the pub and carry straight on keeping to the right hand side of the square. The school is at the end of the road on your right.
Refreshments there will sandwiches and cake etc after Mass at about 4 p.m. Water will be availabl.e at the check points. If you would like a snack to eat during the walk please bring something with you. Up Marden is a good place to picnic Route: there will be marshals at Bevis's thumb and Up Marden Church until the walkers have passed these points and at Compton Primary school for the whole time. they can help or Advise you. they will be wearing reflective jackeets. In the case of emergency go to the nerest check point for help. It is very important that if you decide not to finish the route you tell a marshal.
The map is on pdf format, which needs you to have a program such as Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to open it. You may well have this program already. If not, you can download it free from Adobe's own website.
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