Text copyright Valerie Martin 1999

I think it is a pity that the previous generations living in Findon did not leave us with a representation of their lives, such as a time capsule to lay hidden awaiting discovery.

This was in fact done in 1998. The ancient parish church of St. John the Baptist was re-roofed with Horsham stone in that summer. The church benefits from one of the best settings anywhere in West Sussex, sheltered beneath the wooded lee of Church Hill. It is bounded on the north and east sides by Downs which are crowned by the familiar prominences of Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring.

To mark the re-roofing event there was a special "raising the roof" ceremony on the 28th November, in which a time capsule for future Findonians to discover was placed under the ridge tiles. This was at the east end of the nave in the roof of the 12th century church. The capsule contained a selection of objects chosen as representative of life in 1998 and now lies concealed in the roof —

  November 1998 issue of Along the Furlong magazine...... containing article by yours truly

 Church notes dated Sunday, 22nd November 1998.

 Electoral Roll for Findon 1998.

 Confirmatory letter dated 6th July 1998 from the architect employed on the re-roofing project, Stuart Reid, to BJN Roofing showing acceptance of the tender to re-roof the north and south slopes of the Nave and the boiler house.

  Four photographs of the work to the roof before the restoration.

  Eight illustrations of the roofing restoration work in progress.

 One photograph of the church spire indicating the holes bored by the local woodpeckers — residents of Church Hill.

 Three photographs from the vantage-point of the church roof looking over the land of Findon Place (Manor of Findon), and surrounding Findon countryside.

 Three photographs showing the Findon Gentlemen's Cycling club's Three Cathedrals Sponsored Cycle Ride that took place in April 1998.

  Leaflet advertising "raising the roof" and an extract from the Worthing Herald newspaper.

 Two extracts from Worthing Herald and one from West Sussex Gazette newspaper depicting daily life and news from the village of Findon.

 Chichester Magazine No. 44 September dated November 1998.

 West Sussex Gazette dated 26th November, l998.

It is estimated that the church roof will not have to be replaced for another eighty years or so. Therefore, around the year 2080 workmen will be called upon to climb up to the roof and will, no doubt, be surprised to discover the time capsule. When it is opened for the first time they will learn of life in Findon in 1998.

There are other mementos dotted around the village.   It is said that some of the tombstones from the churchyard are in the garden of the Black Horse Public House as a path.

Stan Walker (an ex-patriot who lived in Steep Lane in the 1980s) wrote to be in January 2005 telling me of how he built a dry stone wall at his bungalow...

 Back to Church Index

 Back to Main Index

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