On Sunday the 11th January, 1835, the Gun Inn narrowly missed being burgled. A unpleasant robbery was committed that winter morning in the centre of Findon during the Morning Service at church — when I think I am correct in believing the thief thought the villagers would be absent from their dwellings.

The obviously dubious character was first noticed persistently knocking at the entrance of the property in the Square now known as The Village House. When the door was not answered, he was observed suspiciously bending down and then peering through the keyhole. Finally he placed his ear to the door to listen to see if he could hear any movement in the house.

Something, or someone, seems to have deterred the snooper because he continued to purposefully walk up School Hill and skirted the Gun Inn (or perhaps the inn showed too much sign of activity to be trespassed). He lingered at the School House, where the establishment at this time catered for thirty-one boys and fifty-six girls.

The raider proceeded to enter this property by an insecure window. He was undisturbed and rummaged around making a thorough search for some while.  He stole watches and slipped them into his pocket and parcelled up clothing belonging to the master and mistress of the school.  Unfortuantely for him, he was seen departing with his questionably large packages of goods. 

The intruder promptly made off in some haste over Long Furlong in the direction of Arundel and was followed. After a chase he was at last apprehended and taken into custody at Arundel.

Continue if you would like to read about Findon's Mounted Postboy of 1771.

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THIS IS FINDON — was launched in January 1999 and will grow to be a historical record of life in Findon, West Sussex, U.K.