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

THE BARK CUTTER MYSTERY

Copyright Valerie Martin 2004

The above fascinating photograph depicts a small village called Findon in 1938 with Cissbury Ring as the backcloth.   Unfortunately for us, it has grown much larger 70 years on. 

Have a look and see what landmarks you can recognise....

A flint wall on Church Hill Shaw runs from left to right at the bottom of the picture)

The water tower at The Towers can be seen (off centre to the left).

The old Wattle House can be spied on Nepcote Green.

The Lone Tree has not yet started growing on Cissbury Ring.

There are occasions when the rich pattern of village life is made up of fascinating insights into the past.   This story is regarding part of a  horse-powered bark mill which in all probability came to Findon from the nearby Storrington Tannery (on the site of which stood a horse round house TQ089142) some years ago.  

The bark-cutter was, I understand, constructed of heavy iron, circular in shape, 4ft. 2 in. high, 3 ft. 8 in.  in diameter and 11 ft. in circumference.  The sides had projecting, tapered blades.  

It was dismantled some years ago and the outer section was retained in Storrington and the central portion was brought to Findon by a builder.  

It is reputed that the original central part of the back-cutting devise then stood as an extremely unusual flower container on the grass outside a certain Findon cottage (address as yet unknown).    

The mystery remains as to where the mystery Findon cottage is?    Does anyone know?  

It would be interesting to see a photograph of the bark cutter in operation — complete with horse, wouldn't it!

Continue if you would like to read about Findon Cheese Rolling.

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