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As befitting a racing village, the newspapers from the Findon Newsagency were delivered on horseback in 1973. This is Kevin White of Stable Lane doing a delivery with his 4-year old Welsh pony, Smokey. |
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by
Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.WHO STARTED THE FINDON NEWS? READ ALL ABOUT IT
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As befitting a racing village, the newspapers from the Findon Newsagency were delivered on horseback in 1973. This is Kevin White of Stable Lane doing a delivery with his 4-year old Welsh pony, Smokey. |
Copyright Valerie Martin 2000
Originally Published in the Findon News in March 2000.
The first edition of the Findon News rolled off the printing presses, (otherwise known
as the old Roneo duplicator), ready for the October issue in the autumn of 1963. This original literary work of four pages detailed, among other village news, that year's
Sheep Fair when a grand number of 18,000 ewes and 675 rams were auctioned — how the numbers have dwindled over the years.
I have discovered that the magazine's hard working young editor was 18 year old Michael Sanderson who had decided to occupy his time while waiting to go to university by publishing a village newsletter. His great grandfather, Thomas Winton had started the shop in The Square, Winton and Son, in 1873. His grandfather, George, had eventually taken over and ran the business in the centre of the village. Michael's claim to fame in Findon is that he was instrumental in publishing the very first Findon News in the village thirty-seven years ago.
Two sisters, Valerie and Diane Ockenden, who lived opposite Michael in Nepfield Close, ably assisted him and it was a united effort. It had come to the young people's notice that Findon was not often mentioned in the local newspapers. They decided to put matters right and used all their talents scouting for news for their own publication. It was the start of a monthly effort with the remit to cover all aspects of village life and cost a mere thrupence per copy.
Circulation was initially between two and three hundred and the enterprising Michael remembers the first copies hitting the streets and he delivered some of the first edition in the pouring rain. Looking back he thinks they must have landed on the villagers' doormats in rather a damp state.
Original copies of the October 1963 edition are now hard to come by and even Michael has not retained one but it can be found in the Worthing Reference Library. The early numbers did not contain pictures but by the time of the development of the Findon Farm site in the centre of the village, Michael and the girls decided to attempt to include some artwork. The young entrepreneurs thought that if they could not beat the builders they might as well join them — and reproduced some of the plans of the farm area in the Findon News. A little later a fête held in a field to the west of Cissbury House was an opportunity for photographs to be produced on wax stencils — but on reflection Michael now admits that they did not reproduce very well.
By now they had acquired a Gestetner duplicator that made life a little easier. However, Michael subsequently went to university and the Findon News was taken over by the late Jim Grant, the Parish Council Chairman. The circulation began to nudge 600. Jim was the chief contributor with fellow Parish Councillor, the late Stanley R. O'Hanlon, who was also Findon's representative on the Arun District Council.
Thirty-seven years on the Findon News has survived the test of time and now news from Findon can be read all over the world — thanks to the World Wide Web and I have put here some of the reproduced highlights from the first edition of Findon News in 1963 —
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THE FINDON NEWS No. 1 October 1963 Price 3d EDITORIAL "Nothing ever happens in Findon" — a common enough expression, heard often, but is it true? Three or four years ago, perhaps it was, but certainly not today. While the Sheep Fair could always be relied upon to remind the south of England of Findon's existence, there was little else until newcomers showed the village the way. Now, there is a flourishing Gardening Society, the Village Preservation Association, and, since the closing of the Old School House, the Village Hall is being used much more often and is showing a profit for the first time in many years. With all this in mind, it was considered that the village could support its own newspaper, or magazine, designed not to oust the local press by any means, but to present the village news in a more homely way.While some news items will inevitably be "stale" as far as some readers are concerned, we hope that everyone will find something new or controversial to talk about. The Editors will welcome correspondence on topical subjects, and also contributions of news or interest concerning the village. |
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1963 SHEEP FAIR A warm and sunny day greeted the annual Sheep Fair, which was as usual held on Nepcote Green, on Saturday, 14th September. It was a record year for entries, with 18,000 ewes and lambs, and 675 rams and ram lambs. Mr. E. Pye of Shrewsbury was the owner of the champion shearling ram, which gained the top price of 70 guineas. Trade varied, but on the whole was about the same as last year. Receipts, however were up on last year by as much as 25% Buyers and sellers came from all over the South and South-West, and as far as the Midlands, Derbyshire and Wales, but the number of spectators was less, mainly because farmers were busy with the harvest while the fine weather lasted. SHEEP FAIR HISTORY Findon Great Fair is probably the largest and oldest still being held in Great Britain. The very first sheep fair was held in Findon over 700 years ago, after the signing of Magna Carta. It stopped (according to rumour), for nearly 500 years, and has comparatively recently been revived, the present fair being about 200 years old. During the Second World War, the Fair stopped, and was held at West Grinstead. The sight of the old bearded farmers fumbling with their gas masks must have occasioned some amusement! In 1947, however, the Fair came back to Findon. The Fair was always held on September 14th, unless that day was a Sunday, as a result of the Fairs Act of 1873, and this date was unalterable. If the Fair had been held on a different date, it would, by reason of the act, have been invalidate. Application was made, four or five years ago, to the Home Office for permission to hold the Fair on the second Saturday in September, instead of the 14th and this was granted. It may not be known that the Parish has, since the 1700s received a toll for every score of sheep penned at the Fair. A year or so ago, the amount received per score stood at 2d. Harris's Fun Fair is a comparative newcomer, and again this year provided amusements, toffee apples and hot dogs until late in the evening. |
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VICARAGE GARDEN FETE In spite of a dull grey afternoon, over 150 people came to the fête, as a result of which just under £50 was raised for the Parish Church Appeal Fund. Among the stalls and sideshows were a bookstall, a cake stall, miniature croquet (which was very popular), and various guessing competitions, and one causing most amusement and interest being the guessing of the Vicar's weight. Competition results were: the Vicar's weight (15 st 9lb), Mrs Morley. The number of sweets in the jar, Miss D. Ockenden (743). The result of the weight competition was a tie, and after a draw, Mr. J. Freeman won the cake, which weighed 2 lb. 15 ½ oz. |
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HARVEST SUPPER Findon's 4th Harvest Supper took place on the evening of the 25th September in the Village Hall, and was attended by 80 to 100 people. It was the second Harvest Supper since the Reverend Adams has been with us. Veal and Ham pie, chips, baked beans and rolls were followed by jelly and cream, and cheese and biscuits. To drink, cider cup and coffee were served. Instead of the usual games, slides and films were shown. Firstly, some very picturesque and colourful slides of our village, which had been taken with great skill by Mr. A. J. Ockenden. The views ranged from Chanctonbury to the outskirts of Worthing. Mr. D. J. Winton then showed two films, the first showing some of the hazards of yachting, and the second of his recent holiday in Germany, which was of great topical interest. Many thanks are due to the caterers and to those who provided entertainment. |
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Gwen Harwood of the Findon Newsagency with her son, Julian, where the Findon News was sold. |
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