From early Saxon times ‘Ferleg’ was one of several settlements near the Royal Palace in the deer park of Clarendon. Today Farley is a small friendly community of all ages with a Nursery School, the Hook and Glove pub, cricket club, a recently expanded and improved children’s play area, book club, garden club and a monthly coffee morning in the Village Hall. Farley Hospital was completed in 1681 and still provides accommodation in six almshouses and two cottages. Farley is surrounded by beautiful countryside which is excellent for walking. Footpaths link Farley with other Clarendon Team villages such as Pitton, Winterslow, East Grimstead and West Dean. A wide variety of flowers, birds and butterflies are to be found in nearby Bentley Wood, Blackmoor Copse and Houndwood.
All Saints’ Farley
While plans for Farley Church were being made, Stephen Fox and Sir Christopher Wren were working together to build the Chelsea Hospital for pensioners and it seems likely that Wren was asked by Stephen Fox to help with Farley church. Wren’s master mason, Alexander Fort, oversaw the building of the church which was completed in 1690.
Our Parish Mission
The mission statement for the Parish of Farley with Pitton is to seek and share God’s love and fellowship in our communities by providing care and support to all, actively taking the Church into our community, worshipping God; and fostering links with our schools.
Church Services
Sundays
1st Sunday 11.00am Parish Eucharist
2nd Sunday 11.00am Parish Eucharist
3rd Sunday 6.00pm Team Choral Evensong
4th Sunday 11.00am Parish Eucharist
Church Life
Our Sunday services are followed by coffee in the church and we actively welcome members of the community to join us for coffee. Our Junior Church, Pitton and Farley Pathfinders (for ages 3-11 years) meet in Pitton on the first Sunday of every month and take part in the All Age Eucharist in Farley Church every other month. The Faith Exploration Group meets on Wednesday evenings at 8.00 pm alternating between Farley and Pitton.
Social events are held throughout the year including events such as the Harvest Supper, mulled wine and mince pies after the Carol Service and summer barbeque.
A music festival is held annually in All Saints’ Church, which gives students from the Royal Academy of Music an opportunity to perform in public and also raises funds for the church. We actively encourage the wider community to make use of our church building – for example for flower festivals, film nights and concerts.
Information and contacts
The Dun Valley News is published 10 times a year and distributed to all homes in the village. The Pitton and Farley web site is at http://www.pittonandfarley.co.uk/
Charlie Martin charliefromfarley@gmail.com (Churchwarden)