Didling

DistrictShire countyRegionCountryEnglandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townMidhurstPostcode districtGU29 0PoliceSussexFireWest SussexAmbulanceSouth East Coast UK Parliament 50°57′34″N 0°48′36″W / 50.95945°N 0.80993°W / 50.95945; -0.80993

Didling is a small village in West Sussex, England. On 1 April 1933 the parish was abolished and merged with Treyford.^[1] The 824 acre village consists of a few buildings and the historic church of St Andrew's, which dates to the 13th century.

Geography

Didling is a small village and former civil parish, currently in the parish of Elsted and Treyford, in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England. It lies on the Treyford to Bepton road 3.5 miles (5.7 km) south-west of Midhurst. In 1931 the parish had a population of 99.^[2] The village comprises 824 acres, and lies under Didling Hill.

St Andrew's Church

The 13th century church of St Andrew, known as "The Shepherds' Church", sits a little to the south of the village on the northern slope of Didling Hill. The nave and chancel date to the 13th century, and was constructed of plastered rubble with ashlar dressings. The wooden porch is modern.
In 1587, Salisbury founder John Wallis cast a bell inscribed "I W 1587", which was stolen in February 1979. As a result, a smaller bell measuring 15.75" in diameter was transferred from Whitsbury church, Hampshire, which had been cast by the same founder in 1623. The old bell measured 17.13" in diameter and was chimed by an iron lever^[3] The west wall is brick, and was probably remodeled in the 17th century. The font may be from the 12th century.^[4]

References

External links

• Gravelroots Guide to Didling with large photo album of St. Andrews
  part of the Rother Valley Guide