Selham Explained

Country:England
Static Image Name:Selham Church.JPG
Static Image Caption:St. James Church, Selham
Coordinates:50.9781°N -0.6727°W
Official Name:Selham
Civil Parish:Graffham
Shire District:Chichester
Shire County:West Sussex
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Chichester
Post Town:Petworth
Postcode District:GU28 0
Postcode Area:GU
Os Grid Reference:SU932206

Selham is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Graffham, in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England. It lies south of the A272 road 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Midhurst. It is mainly in the parish of Graffham, but partly in that of Lodsworth to the north.[1] In 1931 the parish had a population of 65.[2]

History

Selham was listed in the Domesday Book (1086) in the ancient hundred of Easebourne as having six households: two villagers, two smallholders and two slaves; resources included ploughing land, woodland and meadows, and a value to the lord of the manor of just over £3.[3]

In 1861, Selham was still a separate parish covering with a population of 123.[4] On 1 April 1933 the parish was abolished and merged with Graffham.[5]

In February 2010, James Packer won approval from Chichester District Council for a 327-acre polo complex to be built at Manor Farm on land owned by Lord Cowdray, not far from Great House Farm, the 38-hectare polo complex at Stedham, owned by his father Kerry Packer during the 1980s.[6] Packer withdrew after the 2012 season, with the facilities being taken over by Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.[7]

Buildings

Selham' pub is The Three Moles, one of the smallest pubs in Sussex.

The church of St James is largely 11th century, having never undergone any major rebuilding,[8] but it was restored in the 19th century. From 192227, Frank Buttle was rector of Selham with South Ambersham.[9]

Nearby the remains of Lodsworth Castle, a large 13th Century motte near Selham at Lodsbridge beside the River Rother. Lodsbridge was a wharf on the Rother Navigation waterway.

There was formerly a railway station on the Pulborough to Petersfield, Hampshire line. Selham Railway Station is now a private house.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Graffham PC. 30 January 2020.
  2. Web site: Population statistics Selham AP/CP through time. A Vision of Britain through Time. 10 May 2023.
  3. Web site: Open Domesday: Selham. 18 June 2019.
  4. Web site: GENUKI: Selham. 18 June 2019.
  5. Web site: Relationships and changes Selham AP/CP through time. A Vision of Britain through Time. 10 May 2023.
  6. News: Packer polo plans revival attempt. 12 April 2011. Lynn News. 16 September 2015.
  7. Web site: James Packer packs up in England after rain-sodden season. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/nUu81 . 11 December 2022 . live. Sherwood. Bob. 15 June 2013. Polo. subscription. 16 September 2015.
  8. Web site: GENUKI: The Parish Church of St James, Selham. 19 June 2019.
  9. Web site: Buttle: History. 29 December 2017.