|
|
|
Aerial view of Nepcote Lodge Stables in the Spring of 1988. |
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.
|
|
|
Aerial view of Nepcote Lodge Stables in the Spring of 1988. |
NEPCOTE LODGE STABLES PHOTO ALBUM
Text copyright Valerie Martin 2000
I have discovered that in 1892 there was only one residence in Steep Lane indicated on old maps. This was Nepcote Lodge Stables, which comprised seven acres formerly part of a parcel of land known as "Colonel's Field" owned by Albert Short of Findon Farm. The stables were built in 1892 for Sir John Alexander Miller of Befrons in Canterbury, Kent and were constructed along the most up-to-date lines of the time. Another of his properties was Manderston in Berwickshire but when the opportunity arose he would enjoy a few days at his Findon residence.
|
Sir John Alexander Miller in 1896. |
In September 1892 he engaged William Halsey both as his private trainer and jockey and met with phenomenal success in the Victorian "jumping world".
William was first licensed to ride in 1887 and was a great jockey. He had spent some of his time riding in Belgium and in his last season abroad rode thirty-two winners, both on the flat and jumping. Two years before coming to Nepcote Lodge Stables he caught the public's eye by riding Pan, a 100-1 horse in the Grand National and coming a close second to the winner, Ilex.
I have unearthed that also in the year 1892 Sir John Alexander Miller commissioned Findon artist, Edwin Douglas to paint his chestnut Royal Red with William Halsey in the saddle. Another of Miller's horses to be immortalised on canvas was Ram Lal. I assume the horses went up the hill to Fox Down to meet the artist and to be his models.
|
|
|
1896 William Halsey wearing Sir John Alexander Miller's racing colours of olive green, white hooped sleeves and quartered cap. |
One of the talented horses under his care at Findon was Nepcote who attracted attention as a three-year-old with a series of victories over hurdles and in 1895 added to the list of his triumphs the Scottish Grand National run over three miles. William was champion jump jockey in 1895 with 39 wins. He was quite unusual in that, he was a jump jockey and ended becoming a successful flat jockey. Normally it is the other way around and it is the flat jockeys who struggle with their weight and end up under National Hunt rules.
|
|
|
1896 William Halsey presided over the Yard and occupied the above recognisable house adjoining Nepcote Lodge Stables and the lads' quarters. |
William was featured in the Daily Express on Friday 12th October 1900 in a commending article which reported
| "The recent success of the excellent and popular all-round trainer jockey have secured him many a thick and thin supporter". |
It was around 1900 (after finishing second in the Grand National that season), that he began to fully concentrate on the flat and in nine seasons (up until he retired in 1909) he rode over 700 winners.
|
A painting of William Halsey on Colonel E. W. Baird's Woolwinder. This picture was found for me on the wall of The Blue Lion public House in 2003 near Rhyl in North Wales. |
William won two classics the 1901 2,000 Guineas and the 1907 St. Leger.
I have also discovered that horses belonging to the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) were also stabled at the Cross Lane
racing yard stables and were trained over the famous Findon turf for the keen race-going heir to the throne.In the early days (c. 1896) the Nepcote Lodge Stables were managed and resided in by Mr. P. Brooks, while William Halsey was the trainer. "Brookie" stayed for about four years and was a "gentleman rider" and had successful rides on Dollar II, Baccarat and the aptly named Nepcote a jumper with local connotations.
|
|
|
1896 Gentleman rider of the day known as "Brookie" on the steps of his home at Nepcote Lodge Stables. He began life in the Navy of which he had six years' experience. He first rode at Mr. Thirlwell senior's stables near Worthing and later at Newmarket. |
|
|
|
Faces from the past at the porch of Nepcote Lodge Stables in 1896. From left to right the figure of Herbert Standing, a well-known actor of the day. P. Brooks is sitting with the dog. Cooper Smith (friend of Herbert Standing) leans on the porch. It is interesting to note here that Cooper Smith was reputed to have a good knowledge about the ailments of racehorses and the appropriate cures. At the back are R. Woodland and William Halsey. |
|
|
|
1896 Black Duck, a bay horse at Nepcote Lodge Stables. Chancery Cottage in West View Terrace is seen in the background. |
I have heard that the Nepcote Lodge Stables were at one time owned by King Edward VII but I have been unable to confirm whether this is true or not but I can imagine him coming down the wide staircase from the galleried landing!
|
|
|
West View Terrace in January 2000. |
|
|
|
1896 Iping another performer "over the sticks" ridden by William Halsey. Many horses left the yard at Steep Lane and returned via the winners' enclosures. |
|
|
|
1897 Nepcote Lodge Stables, still the only property in Steep Lane. |
In 1900, William Hasley was forever popular and the Findon trainer/jockey, was featured on Friday 12th October in the Daily Express in a commendatory article which reported
| "The recent success of the excellent and popular all-round trainer jockey have secured him many a thick and thin supporter". |
The Gallops for the Nepcote Lodge Stables stretched at the back, towards Nepcote Green, near the stables built later by Captain Ryan Price.
At the turn of the century, Sir John Alexander Miller sold the complex at Nepcote Lodge Stables for £5,000 to Eliza Charlotte Thirlwell, wife of a gentleman of the turf, Dennis Thirlwell. The sale included the seven acres formerly known as "Colonel's Field". The Edwardian era of racing on the turf began and Dennis Thirlwell trained from the stables until 1905.
From then on, George Gully from Epsom took over the training. He was the subject of a High Court Justice Case in 1906 brought by Robert Gore the trainer at the Downs Stables in Stable Lane, Findon. Dennis Thirlwell still owned the house, grounds and land at this time.
At least by the year 1914, Edward Craven and Mr. Dent followed in Gully's shoes and trained at Nepcote Lodge Stables (still owned by Dennis Thirlwell).
In January 1919, Eliza Charlotte Thirlwell eventually sold Nepcote Lodge to Ellen Law, and Alex Law took over the training at the yard.
Eighteen years later Ellen Law sold the property in December 1937 to Matilda Hopper. From then on Arthur Hugh Hopper ran his Worthing Residential Riding and Hunting Stables from Steep Lane.
Nepcote Lodge Stables were still thriving in the early 1950s but in 1955 the stables were bought by Nepcote Estates Limited. The buildings to the east of the site, known as The Black Boxes (shown on the above map) became Nepcote Farm for the next few years.
Finally, in 1958 the residential accommodation at Nepcote Lodge Stables was converted into separate private dwellings and the surrounding land was ripe for the developers in Steep Lane and Paddock Way.
|
|
|
The scene very much as it was in the days when Nepcote Lodge Stables was operational. Racehorses from Josh Gifford's yard at the Downs Stables proceeding west down Steep Lane in January 2000. |
|
|
|
Nick Gifford riding one of the hunters up Steep Lane towards Nepcote Green and back to the Lower Yard in January 2000. |
|
|
|
Nepcote Lodge in January 2000. |
| 30th June 2006 Valerie, Today's Teaser
I have this postcard of Findon postmarked 1909 but do not know where it is. I think the small clump of trees on the left skyline might be Muntham burial ground. The low buildings just left of centre could be Whittingtons wood yard but where was the large roof on the left or the fencing. The large house in the centre looks distinctive. Any help most appreciated. John Stepney, Findon Village, West Sussex. |
Findon has certainly changed over the past one hundred years.
I have waited patiently for a few days to see if anyone would come to John's aid with suggestions of locations for the above photograph. As no one else has come forward with any ideas......my thoughts on this photograph are .............
(1) The view is looking westwards. West Hill Clump (now gone) on the horizon.... above Rogers Farm.
(2) The house with twin gables in the centre of the photograph is in West View Terrace (where Anton Pearson lived when he worked for Josh Gifford..... and later where Nick Gifford lived).
(3) The houses to the right of this..... are on Nepcote Lane wending its way down to the village.
(4) The railings and gardens in the foreground belonged to the long gone racing establishment of Nepcote Lodge Stables in Steep Lane.
Any takers?
5th July 2006 Valerie, JS John Stepney, Findon Village, West Sussex. |
I waited for many days to see if any of the surfers would come up trumps with this one but I think they were all asleep.
I identified this as a view looking westwards from Nepcote Lodge Stables years ago (it only takes a bit of common sense to deduce the railings as on Paddock Way) ......but no one has taken any notice until today. I think I am still looked upon as a newcomer who doesn't know anything.
The absence of a chimney is merely because it is a stable block.... see pictures on this website of these stables to confirm this..
Continue if you would like to read more on the Nepcote Lodge Stables in The Hopper's Photograph Gallery.
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
|
E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com |
Back to Racing Stables Index