Between The Drive’s western and southern ends, Charles Stride built a private estate in c.1905 which included a nine hole golf course designed by James Braid, a lodge (Uplands), and a mansion (Woodland Place) with tree-lined grounds which, as Rew Lane, was developed in the late 1950s. The golf course was too close to the Goodwood course to be a commercial success and it was given up for gravel extraction immediately prior to the first World War, with a mineral branch line connected later to the Chichester-Midhurst railway. His golf course and pavilion is mentioned in https://golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/south-east/sussex/851-sus-summersdale-golf-club-chichester
The club was founded in 1904.
Summersdale professionals; Reginald Gray, 1904-1906; Arthur G Gray/ H Bowden 1907/8; W Barfoot, 1908-1911; G Chalk 1911-1913, (also early 1920s); G Clark, 1915-1926. In 1904/5 the secretary was F Stride, East Street, Chichester, the captain was M F Mieville, and the professional Reginald Gray (finished 45th in the 1904 Open Championship). Course records were; professional, R Gray 41; amateur, M F Mieville 43. The nine-hole course was laid out by James Braid in the summer of 1904. The course measured 3,370 yards with two holes over 500, and three over 400 yards with a bogey score of 43. There was no entry fee and subs were £2/2s; ladies £1/1s. There was a membership of 100 which was steadily increasing, and there was a “comfortable clubhouse.” Visitors’ on introduction, free for two days, afterwards 2/6 a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. Railway stations at Lavant, one mile, and Chichester one and a quarter miles.
Random articles of interest
tunnels underneath Hansford Menswear
A number of those readers remembered a story about tunnels underneath Hansford Menswear, also in South Street, so we spoke the shop's owner to find out more Matthew Hansford described a blocked-off passage in cellar of the shop, which he believes may have led to the cathedral
Are you curious about the tunnels in Chichester? If you are, you are not alone. Many people have wondered about the existence and purpose of these underground passages that are said to run under the city. Some claim they have seen them, others have heard stories about them, but what is the truth behind the mystery?
In this blog post, I will try to shed some light on the tunnels in Chichester, based on some web searches and historical sources. I will also share some of the rumours and legends that surround them, and invite you to share your own experiences or opinions in the comments section.
ON THE south side of East Street, close to the Market Cross, lies number 92 which up until fairly recently was The Royal Arms public house (also known as Ye Olde Punch House).
Although the façade dates to the Georgian era, the building is of a timber-framed construction said to date from the 16th century.
Much of the original building survives including highly decorated plaster ceilings displaying the Tudor Rose and fleur-de-lis.
It was once a private town house belonging to the Lumley family of Stansted.
It was under the Crypt and right next to the cathedral
Maureen Williams, 82, of Westgate, recalled a school trip into the rumoured tunnels under Chichester when she was at Chichester High School for Girls.
She estimates she was in her early teens at the time and said she chose to share her memories after reading about the search for evidence in this newspaper.
Summersdale is an attractive area in the north of Chichester. Spacious and leafy, the character of the area is now under threat with many houses on large plots at risk of demolition and re-development. It is an historic suburb with high quality architecture in street scenes that are worthy of enlightened protection.
