Coolham
Encyclopedia
Coolham is a hamlet
in the Horsham District
of West Sussex
, England
. It is located at the crossroads of the A272 and B2139 roads 2.8 miles (4.6 km) southeast of Billingshurst
. At the crossroads is an old timber-framed inn, the Selsey Arms, formerly the Duke's Head, and before that The King of Prussia.
During World War II
there was an advance landing ground nearby, used to support the D-Day landings. This was only in use for about eighteen months, and had almost no permanent buildings. The airmen lived under canvas. Both Polish and British airmen were stationed there, and there is a monument outside the Selsey Arms which lists the names of those who died. The land has long since been reclaimed for agricultural purposes, but there is still a footpath around the field, with trees planted at intervals to commemorate the dead airmen. Each tree has a name plaque attached.
There was once a prominent Quaker community in Coolham, and the "Blue Idol" meeting house, a lovely old timber-framed building, still exists. William Penn
, who earlier had founded Pennysylvania in the USA, was closely involved in its establishment, and is believed to have worshipped there. The local junior school was founded as the Coolham British School (later Coolham Primary School) in 1889 by the Quakers. In the mid-twentieth century it moved to its present site, where it is now known as the William Penn primary school.
Coolham is in the ancient parish of Shipley, which adjoins the A24, near the ruin of the Knepp Castle
. The castle dates back to medieval times, and is said to have been a hunting lodge for King John at one time. The site of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Shipley
, dates back to the Knights Templar, and close by is Shipley Windmill
, which was once owned by the Sussex writer Hilaire Belloc
during the first half of the twentieth century. The windmill had a brief taste of modern-day fame when it featured as the home of Jonathan Creek
in the recent TV series.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the Horsham District
Horsham (district)
Horsham is a local government district in West Sussex, England. Its council is based in Horsham. The district borders those of Crawley, Mid Sussex, Mole Valley, Chichester, Arun and Adur....
of West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located at the crossroads of the A272 and B2139 roads 2.8 miles (4.6 km) southeast of Billingshurst
Billingshurst
Billingshurst is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It lies thirteen kilometres south-west of Horsham, and nine kilometres north-east of Pulborough....
. At the crossroads is an old timber-framed inn, the Selsey Arms, formerly the Duke's Head, and before that The King of Prussia.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
there was an advance landing ground nearby, used to support the D-Day landings. This was only in use for about eighteen months, and had almost no permanent buildings. The airmen lived under canvas. Both Polish and British airmen were stationed there, and there is a monument outside the Selsey Arms which lists the names of those who died. The land has long since been reclaimed for agricultural purposes, but there is still a footpath around the field, with trees planted at intervals to commemorate the dead airmen. Each tree has a name plaque attached.
There was once a prominent Quaker community in Coolham, and the "Blue Idol" meeting house, a lovely old timber-framed building, still exists. William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, who earlier had founded Pennysylvania in the USA, was closely involved in its establishment, and is believed to have worshipped there. The local junior school was founded as the Coolham British School (later Coolham Primary School) in 1889 by the Quakers. In the mid-twentieth century it moved to its present site, where it is now known as the William Penn primary school.
Coolham is in the ancient parish of Shipley, which adjoins the A24, near the ruin of the Knepp Castle
Knepp Castle
The medieval Knepp Castle is to the west of the village of West Grinstead, West Sussex, England near the River Adur and the A24 . The name is though to come from the Old English word "cnæp", referring to the mound on which it stands....
. The castle dates back to medieval times, and is said to have been a hunting lodge for King John at one time. The site of the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Shipley
Shipley, West Sussex
Shipley is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It lies just off the A272 road six miles north east of Storrington....
, dates back to the Knights Templar, and close by is Shipley Windmill
Shipley Windmill
King's Mill or Vincent's Mill, Shipley, West Sussex, England is a smock mill built in 1879 which has been restored and was open to the public until its closure on 19 July 2009.-History:...
, which was once owned by the Sussex writer Hilaire Belloc
Hilaire Belloc
Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc was an Anglo-French writer and historian who became a naturalised British subject in 1902. He was one of the most prolific writers in England during the early twentieth century. He was known as a writer, orator, poet, satirist, man of letters and political activist...
during the first half of the twentieth century. The windmill had a brief taste of modern-day fame when it featured as the home of Jonathan Creek
Jonathan Creek
Jonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
in the recent TV series.