Bosham Church, Bosham.
Image details
Contributor:
Paul Briden / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
D8RWFTFile size:
103.4 MB (5.4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
7360 x 4912 px | 62.3 x 41.6 cm | 24.5 x 16.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
June 2013Location:
Bosham, West SussexMore information:
Due to its size, Bedham was not granted parish status and falls under the remit of Fittleworth. There was no living in the vicinity so the church was served by a visiting priest with the master of Fittleworth School acting as lay reader. The mixed school, which had a capacity of 60 pupils, was served by three schoolmistresses. Despite the two annual maintenance visits from Mitford's own carpenters, by 1913 the school was found to be in 'a very unsatisfactory state' with 'defective lighting and ventilation and the girls' earth closet 'very offensive indeed.' This does not seem to have tainted the fond memories of the school's surviving pupils however, many of whom later related their experiences in local newspapers. Due to a falling rural population, the school closed in 1925, but continued in use as a church. The congregation was never a large one and with the demise of the sussex charcoal industry and the effects of two world wars attendances declined further. The the last wedding held here was in 1959 and the church closed later that year.