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

THE ACCIDENT

Copyright Valerie Martin 2004

In July 1987, Findon was in the headlines when 15-year-old Nick Gifford was awarded £13,032 damages in the High Court after an accident which nearly cost him his future as a first class cricketer.  Nick was at the time a pupil at Tonbridge School in Kent and had been knocked down on a pedestrian crossing in the town in January  1986.   He suffered ruptured ligaments to his left knee and a fractured left arm.

His Counsel, told the deputy Judge, John Prosser, Q.C. that Nick, an all-rounder, was vice-captain of the school's under 15 team.   The accident had forced him to change from a fast bowler to a spinner.   It also meant he could no longer play rugby.

The judge (who lists "watching cricket" as his recreation in "Who's Who"), questioned whether Nick's dream of becoming a first-class cricketer and playing for a county side was realistic.  

Counsel said that Nick's prep school master (who had taught many boys who had gone on to become county cricketers) believed Nick was one of the top two he had come across in twenty years.   

The judge said "As England spinners are getting rather long in the tooth now, it may be something good will come of this.  I wish the young man every success, and I shall look for his name in the cricketing lists".

He said £32 of the settlement should go "straight into Nicholas's pocket".

After the hearing, Nick said he hoped one day to play for Sussex.   He thought the judge's comments had been "flattering".

Continue if you'd like to read The 2004 Findon Bull Mystery.

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