In 1086 the Domesday Book records Storrington as 'Estorchestone' a place well-known for storks. The history of Storrington has little to do with storks, and more to do with being a flourishing market place, with a fulling and tanning industry. In the early part of the 20th century it was also a centre of an artistic community.
At the end of the 19th century the White Canons built a priory. This became the home for a number of artists including the poet Francis Thompson (1859-1907) who spent two years trying to beat opium addiction, and Hilaire Belloc who stayed there in 1906. The noted composer Sir Arnold Bax also lived in Storrington.
The area attracted Wilfred Meynell, the poet and writer, as well as Arthur Bell (1875-1918) the disabled poet. Bell lies buried in the churchyard, his headstone was carved by the then up and coming sculptor Eric Gill. At nearby Sullington lived the writer A J Cronin.
Joan Ham local historian: contact. ron.ham@talktalk.net
If ever I become a rich man
Or if ever I grow to be old
I will build a house with deep thatch
To shelter me from the cold
And there shall the Sussex songs be sung
And the story of Sussex be told.
Hillaire Belloc
