The History of Selsey
The history of Selsey starts in the mists of time, the ages being marked by contemporary artifacts and structures.
The Romans departed about the year 400 and in the year 477 Ella with his three sons arrived and created the land of the
St. Wilfrid arrived in Sussex in 680/1 and converted the nation of the South Saxons to Christianity, and the Venerable Bede records:
" At the time King Ethelwalch gave to the Most Reverend Prelate, Wilfrid land of eighty-seven families to maintain his company, who were in banishment, which place is called Selesea, that is the island of the sea-calf"
He founded a monastery/Cathedral and twenty-three Bishops succeeded him until the Cathedral was transferred from Selsey to Chichester in 1075
The derivation of the name 'Selsey' is popularly considered to be Seal Island. There is no doubt that until the end of the eighteenth century, the now peninsula was an island with its own ferry, ferryhouse and ferryman who was paid 'four bushels of barley in 1661 and allowed to collect a halfpenny from every traveller'. The causeway was completed in 1809 and facilitates the only access road, the B2145.
In 1897 Selsey was linked by a light rail track which suffered the same fate as many others and closed in 1935.
Selsey accommodates one of the largest temporary villages in the whole of western Europe, known as West Sands Holiday Centre which makes provision for some 15,000 residential visitors each week from April to October.
The Selsey community is characteristic of many of the smaller communities in the region but more notable as it represents the next largest population after
Selsey (
Selsey was once an isolated fishing community, with 3 Coastguard Stations and a Lloyds of London semaphore signal station, Selsey was long established before Roman Times and it is probable that a mint existed prior to Roman Times. Selsey had, by the 20th Century become an oasis for writers, musicians and authors. In the 30's and 40's tourism took off for the village with thousands of holidaymakers staying locally in the new holiday camps. Large housing schemes in the 1960's led to a massive rise in the permanent population, which now stands at about 10,000.
Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada in 1588 passed close to Selsey Bill, prior to engagement with the English Fleet commanded by Drake and Hawkins.
Listening Post
The Listening Post was in April 1999 recognised as a Grade 2 Listed building. During the 1st World War a listening post was built in Selsey at
Mulberry Harbours
The famous prefabricated Mulberry Harbours were stored in Selsey prior to the D Day invasion and their use at Normandy Beaches by the allies. Sections that were damaged or sunk off Selsey are visited regularly by sub aqua divers.
RAF Selsey
RAF Selsey was established as an advanced landing ground in May 1943 and during the invasion it played an important part in the air cover of the beaches. The first German aircraft shot down on D Day was the victim of a Spitfire from RAF Selsey.
Little remains of the airfield today that occupied the open fields at Church Norton, 1 mile North of Selsey.
Sea Wall
The sea wall was built in the late 1950's to protect the houses of Selsey. Coastal erosion remains a problem for Selsey and upto 25 yards is lost per year.
Tornado
On
Selsey Today
Selsey (which gained Town status in August 1995) continues to be well known for its excellent shellfish, still having a smaller but active fishing fleets, its Lifeboat Station dating back to 1860 and its unspoilt coastline, a haven for birdwatchers and those in search of tranquility.
As Selsey moves forward into the Millennium it is proud of its achievements in the last few years. The instigation of The Selsey Resource Centre which has made IT training available to all, and a central point in the Town for people to visit for advice on training, careers, jobs and business matters.
Selsey High Street has seen many new shops in the last few years, with shops such as The Clothing Company, Boots the Chemist, Budgens.
Selsey boasts one Hotel, numerous bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and
Information kindly provided by the Selsey Society.
