Text copyright Valerie Martin 1999

Findon Village is situated in a dry valley and is four miles from the sea as the crow flies. The nearest rivers are the River Adur, some four miles to the east, and the River Arun that is the same distance to the west.

In the autumn of 1997, I found a narrow boat made an attractive scene as it lay high and dry in a field in nearby Ashington. This location was the last place on earth one would expect to find a barge with the intriguing name of FINDON NOMAD.

The wanderer was found anchored and awaiting a re-fit — plus artistic decorative sign by Ian Pelling — son of the late John Pelling, who lived for many years in Findon Village, as did previous generations of his family.

In October 2008 I was delighted to hear from Hazel Boswell........."Hi Valerie.....We have recently bought a narrowboat which in its "former life" was called Findon Nomad.

Thought I'd "google" the name to see what came up and low and behold found your site with its picture!!

This has made my day.. we thought it was a bit of a character when we bought it.

Well, you will be pleased to know that it's very much still up and running (or floating) on the River Soar in Leicestershire and is currently undergoing yet another refit and paint.

Kind regards,  Hazel."

I asked Hazel if she would like to take a photograph of the FINDON NOMAD for me to see.....

"Hi Valerie.....A couple of pics to be going on with..

click on Hazel's photographs if you would like to enlarge

Had been painted black when we got it, 1st pic, and the 2nd is undercoat stage.

Has since had extra windows put in and a coat of dark blue on the sides. Hopefully if the weather stays dry over the weekend we'll be able to finish off.

Having great fun, it's a lovely little boat.

Hope Mr Pelling isn't too disappointed that his lovely artwork was obliterated! Pity we're so far away otherwise we could have asked him to decorate for us!

Will keep in touch. Hazel."

I was surprised that that "artwork" had disappeared over the years but I suppose it was hardly surprising. A little bit of history gone.

I emailed Ian and told him that the FINDON NOMAD has surfaced and hopefully I may hear from him. I will let you know if I do.

I can't quite remember but Ian may not even have started going out to work when he undertook this commission on the FINDON NOMAD......and now is married with a couple of little children and was living about four miles away in Worthing when I last heard from him.  

All part of the village's rich pattern of history.

FROM IAN PELLING IN WORTHING...  "Hi Valerie, I have just looked at the photos on your website regarding the Findon Nomad. It was certainly along time ago since I did that artistic work.

Nice to see that the narrow boat is still a float. Be nice to see how the new paint job looks once completed.

Kind Regards, Ian".

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This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created exclusively for documenting life in Findon.