The Church of St. James at Bossington is a grade 2 listed building and stands east of the road in the grounds of Bossington Manor.
Please note the road by the entrance is fairly narrow and access is best on foot or by bicycle. Do not obstruct the entrance, parking a car may be easier at the side of the Horsebridge rd leading to Broughton, (N51 04.683 W001 31.541) a few hundred yards away.
If we return in our imagination to 1415, when it is known that Henry V's army was encamped in the fields around this church prior to leaving for France, we might have seen the monarch himself attending Mass in the original church on this very spot. Sadly nothing remains of that church, the present one having been built in 1839 by the owner of Bossington House, John Meggett Elwes. Sadly also, nothing remains of the village that once surrounded it, though this was not the result of The Black Death plague as can often be the case, but of the whim of the previous owner of the estate in 1823. He was an M.P. for Southampton, Mr. Penlease, for whom the sight of the humble cottages of his workers 'spoiled his view'. He dismissed them, and in a short time they had all been forced to find work and accommodation elsewhere... and down came the cottages. The church he could not destroy, but having no parishioners it soon fell into ruin, until the estate was bought by the generous new owner in 1835, and he decided to restore it. He imported the Swanage stone for both walls and roof, as had been used in the original building.
The present church stands on a three-foot platform which raises it above the flood-plain of the River Test. It lies at the end of a little avenue of lime trees, which may once have been the village street, leading from the Houghton to Mottisfont road. The building is small consisting of chancel, north transept, nave and south porch, with central bell-cot containing one bell. The details are in 13th-century style. There is a modern font of 15th-century style.
It is a compliment to Mr. Elwes' vision that today "his" church is still in use. Inside, in deference to its history, the Royal Arms of Henry V carved in wood, are fixed to the west wall. The Tudor Rose carvings of the pew ends commemorate yet another royal visit to this place... by Queen Elizabeth I, during her stay at Pittleworth Manor nearby. One might think its place in history was thereby assured by these two royal visits, but there is more. During the building of the Andover to Redbridge Canal, a ceremonial ring worn by a former bishop in Saxon times [thought to be of the 9th century] was found here, and before this in 1783, a relic of even earlier times was discovered... a 'pig of lead', stamped with the mark of the Roman Emperor Nero. Presumably it fell from a cart here, during its transportation from the Mendip Hills to Southampton and thence to Rome. Once this was clearly a place on the 'highway of history'.
Bossington Manor has 11th century origins. It is unclear if the present Bossington House was built on the site of the old. The current house is early 19th century with most likely mid-19th century parkland and garden bordering the River Test on its eastern boundary.
Bossington Estate was bought by Sir Richard Fairey in 1937. He bought it as a sporting estate, to indulge his love of fly fishing and shooting. Across the valley Tommy Sopwith owned the neighbouring estate, Compton. The two aviation tycoons, Fairey and Sopwith, were good friends, and when they wanted to relax, they raced their yachts in the Solent.
Sir Richard frequently entertained heads of state for shooting and fishing parties at Bossington. His guests included friends of his such as the King of Norway and Neville Chamberlain. Modern day fishing guests have included members of the Brunei royal family, George Bush Snr. and Prince Charles.
Today the Bossington Estate is owned by Trustees and managed for its beneficiaries.
The posted co-ordinates take you to the entrance of the church grounds.
Look at the first gravestone on your right as you enter.
How many hands do you see? This answer is A
Go to the eastern side of the church and look for the grave of Colonel A P H B Fowle M.C.
The date of his death is in 2B1C His wife Evelyn was born in 192D
On the western side of the church find the tombstone commemorating Major Elston.
E = the number of letters in his christian name
F = the number of letters in his wife's first christian name.
The Cache can be found at N 51 04.CDB W001 31.EFA
It is a small container with sufficient room for trackables and swaps.
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