Church Micro 13500...Apuldram
The Local History
The Church of St Mary, in the diocese of Chichester, is a beautiful Grade 1 listed church with many interesting features.
The parish dates back to Saxon times and was part of the manor of Bosham. In the 11th century, the area belonged to Godwin, Earl of Wessex, the father of Harold, who suffered defeat by the Normans at the Battle of Hastings. As a result the Manor passed to William the Conqueror along with the rest of Harold’s vast tracts of land.
In 1125 Henry I passed the parish to the Abbot of Battle Abbey (which was built by William immediately following the conquest). In 1197 possession passed from Battle to Sir Michael de Appeltrieham, Sheriff of Sussex. I wonder if that is the origin of the name Apuldram? During the dissolution of the monasteries the parish reverted to the Crown, and in 1580 Elizabeth I granted it to William, Baron Howard of Effingham, whose son Charles inherited it on his death. Charles became Lord High Admiral and commanded the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada.
Only the church, the Manor and one residence remain from the original medieval village.
The Church
The site of the church is thought to date back to the 1100s, but the main building, in its simple rectangular form, was built in the 13th century. The south aisle was added about 100 years later. In the 15th century, the south porch was built; and the vestry and a heating chamber were added in the 19th century. Most recently a modern single storey extension has been added with separate, secure entry, providing a toilet, kitchen and community meeting room.
The chancel is a small scale example of outstanding 13th century architecture. The east wall holds an elegant triple lancet stained glass window, with stone mouldings and Purbeck marble columns.
The font is also of Purbeck marble, and dates from the 12th century although the four outer supporting columns are not original. The font shows signs of weathering, possibly having been left outside during the time of Cromwell.
You can see medieval floor tiles in the lowest of the three altar steps, and below the single lancet window, at the west end of the south aisle. The remaining tiles are Victorian. There is also a Crusader’s slab on the south side of the sanctuary. A stone staircase behind the pulpit once led up to a rood loft, but now both are gone.
The oak screen closing off the tiny chapel in the south aisle dates from the 15th century. The chapel has a squint cut through, also dating from the 15th century (this allowed those seated in the chapel to have a view of the altar).
A "scratch dial" which you may be able to see from outside when the church is closed - window in east wall of the porch.
The church has two bells, possibly 14th century, and the belfry is a “Sussex Cap” design.
Unlike most English churches, there is no vicar (or vicarage); but a priest in charge was provided by the Bosham Collegiate and, in more recent times, by the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral. The present and previous 3 priests in charge were also Rectors of Fishbourne.
There were no burials here until 1447; the Apuldram deceased were taken (probably by boat) to Bosham. The clues for the cache can be found among the memorials around the church. There is plenty of interest here and in the nearby paddock and fields with glimpses of Chichester Cathedral; and, to the west, the path along the waterside to Fishbourne and Chichester Harbour. This cache was created during the Coronavirus pandemic, when unfortunately the church itself is closed. More information on the church can be found here:
http://apuldramchurch.co.uk/history/
The Waypoints and Cache
To locate the cache, visit the 3 stopping points which are shown in the cache page Waypoints. Answers to the following 6 questions will enable you to calculate the final location of the cache.
Stop 1 - Contrasts...
Close to the path is a WW1 war grave. To the left, for Dorothy, the number of letters in the last word of line 6 = A.
Now look at the war grave - for a Stoker Petty Officer. The number of letters in the name of his ship = B
A few feet beyond the War Grave is an unusual memorial, very low and sheltered by 2 evergreen shrubs. It is very worn and the lettering can no longer be read, but a female figure can be made out pictured with a globe. Number of letters in the material of which this memorial is made = C
Stop 2 - Local Artisan and his work
At this stop is a memorial to a local man. The number of years he served the parish with his trade, divided by 5 = E
Near this memorial is a sample of this man's work. Count the horizontal long pieces to find D. If the number is:
| Number |
Value for D |
| 16 |
D = 2 |
| 18 |
D = 5 |
| 20 |
D = 3 |
| 22 |
D = 6 |
| 24 |
D = 4 |
Stop 3 - The Last Name
Walk towards the north fence to the memorial to Robert Alistair and Pamela. Her last, last name sounds like a number. = F
The Final Location
Use the formula below to calculate the final cache location:
N50 CB.CAD W000 CE.DFD
Please take care to replace the cache exactly as you find it, blending in with its surroundings and disguised from muggle eyes. Please unscrew the log container, leaving the lid in place, and replace as found.
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please look here
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html