Thursday the 12thof March 2026 saw the successful installation of Peter Clutterbuck’s Bespoke Ironwork Craft Bench on Centurion Way.
Julia Smith, secretary of FoCW, produced the following excellent press release detailing many key facets of the community project.
PRESS RELEASE
FRIENDS OF CENTURION WAY
Local Community Group, Friends of Centurion Way (FOCW) have hit another milestone in their ambition to enhance the southern end of this wonderful 9km walking/cycling path along the disused railway from Chichester north into the National Park. The path has recently been extended north by the South Downs National Park Authority from West Dean to Singleton with the restoration of the Singleton station platform and there are plans to extend the route all the way to Midhurst and the South Downs Way.
Project Leaders Carley Sitwell (pictured) and Julia Smith (pictured) recapped that “FOCW first formed to save the southern end of this wonderful path and artwork from decay, decline and diversion from new housing.
We ran a 5-year campaign to reinstate its finest artwork – the Gateway arch at its southern end – and to fund two information boards (at the arch and up at the amphitheatre).
The arch stands at a natural meeting point by the railway bridge over to Fishbourne, and marks the crossing point of three cycleways
- Centurion Way to the north
- Salterns Way to the South
- and Chichester/ Emsworth NCN 2.
The arch was reinstated in March 2025, reimagined by Southsea blacksmith, Peter Clutterbuck, and the information boards were added soon thereafter.”
With general funds and a successful Easyfundraising campaign, FOCW were able to commission and install a metal bench to serve as a resting point at the arch. FOCW commissioned Peter Clutterbuck again to design and build a bench to the brief of working CW into its back and sides, wrought into powder-coated iron. The City Council helped with the licence and installation and FOCW are delighted that the bench is now in place, and already being used by passers-by.
Hopefully the combination of arch, noticeboard and bench, enhanced by some future plans to plant wildflowers and bulbs, will protect the start of this path from redevelopment or urbanisation, and make it a great jumping-off point or resting spot on a walk/cycle from the City to the Downs.
Ian Swann, Chair summarised that “The benefits of enhancing the arch area with an information board and bench are evident: it creates a visually pleasing landmark and a a statement piece contributing to Chichester’s well-established reputation for public art. Centurion Way has a real place in the community and a daily impact on the many people – residents, clubs and tourists – who use the path for commuting, leisure, pleasure and mental health and wellbeing. We are really grateful to the sponsors, City Council and local residents’ association who gave us so much encouragement to make this happen.
There is also a voluntary Centurion Way Users Group, that meets regularly to undertake path maintenance, cutting back hedgerows and taking out overgrowth to keep the path at full width. It’s a sociable, easy way to do something useful in the outdoors and to make a difference. For more information, please contact FOCW who will put you in touch.
Additional images of the bench taken on the day of its installation are shown below.
