Alciston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alciston | |
  Alciston shown within East Sussex |
|
| Area[1] | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²) |
|---|---|
| Population | 146 (2007-Parish)[1] |
| - Density | 44/sq mi (17/km²) |
| OS grid reference | |
| - London | 48 miles (77 km) NNW |
| District | Wealden |
| Shire county | East Sussex |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | POLEGATE |
| Postcode district | BN26 |
| Dialling code | 01323 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | East Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Lewes |
| List of places: UK • England • East Sussex | |
Alciston is a village and civil parish in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. It is inland, just off the A27 road, about ten miles (16 km) north-west of Eastbourne and seven miles (11 km) east of Lewes. The ecclesiastical parish is linked with that of Selmeston and Berwick.
Saxon in origin, its name was then Aelfsige; it is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The present 14th century church, of unknown dedication, is built of chalk from the nearby South Downs.[2] There is a large medieval tithe barn in the village. It is 170 feet (52 m) long and is the largest in Sussex.
Every Good Friday, the road outside the Rose Cottage Inn is closed for the villagers to take part in a traditional skipping contest.[3]
[edit] Governance
The lowest tier of government for Alciston is a Parish meeting.[4] Instead of voting for representatives, a small parish may hold a community meeting twice a year to which all the electors may attend and vote on issues.
Wealden District Council is the next tier of government, for which Alciston is part of the Alfriston ward, [5] along with Alfriston, Berwick, Chalvington & Ripe, Deanland and Selmeston. The ward returns one councillor, who was a Conservative in the May 2007 election.[5]
Alciston is represented at the East Sussex County Council as part of the Alfriston, East Hoathly & Hellingly Ward. The May 2005 election returned the Conservative Councillor John Garvican.[6]
The parliamentary district for Alciston is Lewes. The general election in May 2005 elected the Liberal Democrats MP Norman Baker.
At European level, Alciston is represented by the South-East region, which holds ten seats in the European Parliament. The June 2004 election returned 4 Conservatives, 2 Liberal Democrats, 2 UK Independence, 1 Labour and 1 Green, none of whom live in East Sussex.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b East Sussex in Figures. East Sussex County Council. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
- ^ Alciston Parish Church. Sacred Sussex. Diocese of Chichester. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Morris Dancers at Rose Cottage Inn South Downs Alciston. Rose Cottage Inn. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
- ^ Alciston Parish Meeting. Wealden District Council. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ a b District Council Elections (PDF) pp.1. Wealden District Council (2007-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
- ^ County Council Election, 5 May 2005. East Sussex County Council. Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
- ^ UK MEP's. UK Office of the European Parliament. Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
