One of my favourite dog walking places is Brandy Hole Copse, a local nature reserve off Brandy Hole Lane in Chichester. You can find it on Broyle Road when heading towards Funtington from Chichester, down Brandy Hole Lane. Chichester District Council own the copse, and it is a scheduled monument, meaning it is of particular archaeological interest. A voluntary team of extraordinary conservationists maintain it.
The copse has trenches dating from Roman times and also hosts anti-invasion defences from World War II. Also, it has strong links to smuggling, and the name comes from an illicit brandy haul found hidden in caves near the copse.
There are times when I go there to think and chill. There’s something about walking under the dappled light, the sweet scent of woodland, the sound of birdsong echoing through the trees.
The Seat in Brandy Hole Copse
The copse appears in my book, Chasing Shadows: A DI Angelis Crime Thriller, a couple of times. DI Angelis goes there when he must face his failings and doesn’t know what to do. It’s here he finds the seat dedicated to the memory of Joyce Mayhew (Chapter 10):
There’s a seat here by a spreading oak, surrounded by chestnut trees, all thin and spindly after being coppiced for many years. There’s a small plaque on the seat dedicated to the memory of Joyce Mayhew.
For Joyce Mayhew, who prayed here daily. 1 Thess. 5v17
The copse has many tracks that take you through the sweet chestnut trees, interspersed with the occasional oak and hazel. In addition, it is a haven for diverse wildlife.
There is something about trees that I find evocative of life, creation and the mystical. They have been the symbol of eternal life and wisdom for thousands of years.
I am lucky to live near Kingley Vale, which has some of the oldest trees in the UK.
Running alongside the copse is Centurion Way, a disused railway line converted to a footpath. I like to take that path to Lavant, under the old railway bridges. Also, it’s a great walk with my dog, Poppy.
In the Chasing Shadows, I base Max on my dog Poppy, also an orange roan cocker spaniel. Poppy would like to sign autographs upon request. However, she can’t hold a pen.
