Westfield, East Sussex

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Westfield
Westfield shown within East Sussex
Area^[1]	7.4 sq mi (19.1 km²)
Population	2618 (Parish-2007)^[1]
- Density	355/sq mi (137/km²)
OS grid reference	TQ811154
- London	51 miles (82 km) NW
District	Rother
Shire county	East Sussex
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	HASTINGS
Postcode district	TN35
Dialling code	01424
Police	Sussex
Fire	East Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Bexhill and Battle
List of places: UK • England • East Sussex

Coordinates: 50°55′N 0°35′E / 50.91, 0.58

Known as Westewelle in the Domesday survey, Westfield in the Rother District of East Sussex is one of the largest villages in the area; and also a civil parish^[2], the latter with a population of around 2,750. The village lies six miles (10 km) inland and two miles (3 km) to the north of The Ridge which overlooks Hastings. Westfield has not suffered a population drift that has affected many villages as there is local employment such as the Wheel Farm Business Park where small companies have created 120 jobs; Carr-Taylor Vineyards is also local. There is still a village shop, newsagents, butchers and hairdressers,although the post office recently closed. There are two pubs: the New Inn and The Plough.

A prominent sight as you enter the village from the south is that of the church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist^[3], which has served the parishioners for over 800 years. Its many features include extensive buttressing, a 12th Century porch and a 14th Century font with an elaborate 17th Century cover. Above the door to the tower there is carved a Royal Coat of Arms with the list of vicars since 1250 set below. As you look towards the nave you see a Norman arch with squint windows to the side, cut through the 32 inches of stone. Another feature at the road entrance is the lych-gate,with its four carved angels; this was added in 1887 as a memorial to a deceased child.

Westfield FC soccer club play in the Sussex County League Division Two ^[4]

[edit] Landmarks

The parish contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest—Maplehurst Wood. This is a 78 acres (32 ha) ancient woodland containing a range of flora and avian fauna. It is the only East Sussex for Herb Paris Paris quadrifolia.^[5]