THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
EXCURSIONS FROM THE VILLAGE INN
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The Gun Inn with empty crates piled outside awaiting collection, pre 1919. A familiar sight at this era was the odd job man, Alf Brown, the blacksmith's brother. He would be seen fetching water from the well and delivering two full buckets from a wooden yoke suspended from his shoulders. |
Text copyright Valerie Martin 1999
I have discovered that the Gun Inn at the centre of Findon has been the starting point for many excursions from The Square in the village.
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An unusual side view of a very spick and span inn from the High Street, c. 1914/15 at a time when Frederick George Blann was the innkeeper. |
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The above photograph was taken when motor transport had arrived, although it appears to be pre-war and shows some of the cheerful like-minded patrons of the inn wearing comic hats. They are apparently partaking in an organised day’s outing. There are some unsolved questions appertaining to the picture, including — where was their destination? Perhaps the colonnade and the building give a clue.
The merry old Findonians on the expedition in the coach included Raymond Hamilton, Frankie Shiner, Frank Skinner, Harry Walls, Harry Marsh, George Lisk, Mick Cooper, George Lidbetter, Mr. Lidbetter and Mr. Kensey.
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Another agreeable pleasure trip, no doubt well deserved, for the male dominated regulars of the Gun Inn. There are some familiar faces. Obviously none of their wives were invited. The banner they are holding reads "The Findon Gunners". The participants appear to be dressed in their Sunday best and have buttonholes for the important occasion. From the appearance of the accordion player in the second row, a well-timed hearty singsong is in progress.
Again, unfortunately, the date of this light-hearted jaunt is unknown and also the destination. Could it be a pile of sand in the foreground, are they at the seaside?
The names of the gentlemen of yesteryear on this occasion include Mick Cooper, Jack Long, Old Mr. Long, Harry Walls, Mr. Foster and Daniel Hollingdale.
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The Hunt leaving the Gun Inn and proceeding up School Hill in Findon c. 1935. |
Continue if you would like to read about the Pre War and The Post War Years at the Gun Inn.
This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com |
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