Creating History. An ancient hillside
Neolithic - Romans
- Wild Heart Hill (AKA Church Hill) is an ancient hillside
- It was recorded in the neolithic period 6,000 years ago as one of the first flint mines in the country. The wider Church Hill has c. 50 mines running through it. The Neolithic people then downed tools and moved to Cissbury Ring, just up the road.
- Later in history the mines were used as ancient burial places (barrows). There are maps in Worthing museum depicting the sites.
- When the Romans colonized the area they set up a temple just across the road from the hillside.
Battle of Worcester - World War II
- The Monarch's Way footpath that runs through the site would have been an ancient path that led to Glastonbury, but it was made famous when King Charles II used it as an escape route after he lost the Battle of Worcester to Cromwell in 1651.
- In WWII the hillside was used as a training ground for the Canadian troops that were based in the area and it was peppered with gunfire.
Creating History - Royal ties
- More recently we have had the honour of working with the Queen's Green Canopy to create and Avenue of disease resistant elm trees in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee.
- We are honored to have been entrusted with a tree from Buckingham Palace's Jubilee Celebrations, awarded to The Wellderness CIC for their work in the community.
- In 2023 we continued the ancient tradition of hosting a Coronation Cheese Rolling event on the hillside in recognition of King Charles III's ascent to the throne.