Bonchurch
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Bonchurch is a village to the east of Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, and many consider it a part of that town. Bonchurch is situated on the Undercliff, and is subject to regular landslips.
DEM BONCHURCH CREW
A local gang which territories stretch from the village's eastern borders until St Boniface road Tennis courts. Not very much is known about the organization. Their aims are to protect Bonchurch from anti-social behavior which affects so many other town centers.
A very quick history of BONCHURCH
From the year dot, this area was used by Celtic tribal islanders because of its fertile qualities and good climate. These settlers left many flint tools and other evidence of their occupation.
AD 43. The Romans invaded, called the island Vectis, and built a fort (now covered by the sea). Many married local girls, but their army was recalled by AD400 Bonchurch people rejected many of the ideas and lifestyles including Christianity brought by the Romans and they returned to pagan ways.
675 St Boniface our Patron Saint was born
1070 After the Norman Conquest the whole Island was given William Fitz-Osberne . He allowed monks from the French abbey of Lyra to land at “Monks Bay “and build a church.
1085 The Doomsday Book records Bonchurch as “Bonecerce”, cerce being the Anglo Saxon word for church, i.e. the church of St Boniface
1325 Quarries set up, supplying stone for local building, Carisbrooke Castle and later for Portchester Castle and Portsmouth dockyard. The population of the village was only 100
1545 the French Army invaded with 500 men but the brave English forces assisted by local Bonchurch women with bows and arrows waited until they struggled to the top of the Downs, before they killed them.
1800 The population had dropped to only 69 because farming and fishing, and even the odd bit of smuggling, could not support any more. However, rich and influential people, who had become used to holidaying on the Mediterranean Coast, were now unable to travel because of war in France and they suddenly discovered a similar climate and scenery close to home here at BONCHURCH.
This started the boom in visitors and building Developers from London, and even the Vicar’s wife were involved in buying up farms and providing large impressive houses for the growing list of famous Victorian writers and poets, Swinburne, McCauley, Dickens, Sewel and members of Queen Victoria’s entourage. They had found Bonchurch to be the ideal place to work and relax.
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