Welcome

We explain here why we exist, what our aims and activities are. We offer some historical facts about our two villages and their churches.

Clapham and Patching are two villages less than a mile apart on either side of the A280, the 'Long Furlong', between Worthing and Arundel in West Sussex. They have a small but thriving community with many shared activities, and are a Parish of three Grade 1 listed country churches (together with Findon) - all of differing character in this rural setting, nestled in the rolling hills of the South Downs - in an area now designated as a National park.

As with many peaceful communities, we are not without pressure from external forces. Planning proposals, local authority policies and financial constraints all force us to keep active and diligent to safeguard our villages. We also face the effects of time and nature on our most precious heritages - our churches, which have suffered from falling patronage and slow deterioration over the years. They are why we exist, as you can read in 'About Us'.