THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

Sussex byway — Findon.  Wood engraving.

CWT ON FINDON

Copyright Valerie Martin 2004

The opening of the Findon bypass in 1939 was recorded as a remarkably quiet highway, almost unrecognisable now....

Watercolour by Findon Artist, Charles William Taylor, 1878-1960. The new Findon bypass, looking south c. 1940. Cissbury Ring escarpment in the background. The painting of the sky mirrors the curvature of the road.

 

A peaceful portrayal of the years Charles spent in the village was produced, and is treasured today. Many pictures caught the subtle sunlight on the Downs and the hustle and bustle of the Great Findon Sheep Fair.

Great Findon Sheep Fair in the 1930s with Church Hill in the background. Woodcut.

 

Old Pond Green, Findon.

The caravan depicted by Charles was occupied by Mr and Mrs Thomas.... so I assume this is Mr Thomas depicted.  

The late John Pelling has told me that he remembers the caravan to be a dark red colour.   The mystery deepens.

Charles was also seen at work in the quiet fields capturing the atmospheric light on Church Hill, a scene that remains unchanged.

Rogers Farm and West Hill from Nepcote. Watercolour.

 

A watercolour by Charles William Taylor, artist of Findon, 1878-1960. Rogers Farm beneath West Hill, Findon — a view seen by George IV when he shot a partridge in one of the fields.

 

The A280, Long Furlong, Findon (looking west) — the road to Arundel, a watercolour by Charles William Taylor.

 

click on image to enlarge

 1937 — Long Furlong (looking east).  The view is not all that different today..... just the roar of the traffic.   

 

 

 

 Wiston Pond below nearby Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex. Watercolour.

 

Chanctonbury Ring — an engraving by Charles William Taylor.

click on pic to enlarge.

Here is another I have come across, executed in 1937.... but I am not sure of the artist.... it may be Taylor, what do you think?  Copies of the above Chanctonbury landscape were limited to sixty signed and numbered proofs selling at £3. 3s. each..... and after this the block was destroyed.

Continue if you would like to read about another great artist who executed works on Findon.... Stanley Roy Badmin RWS

 

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

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com