 All that now remains of the mansion of Muntham Court..... a section of monogrammed walling.....now in a crumbling state in August 2004. |
THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these
Findon Chronicles were created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home
village of Findon,
West Sussex, U.K. Everyday stories about real people.
All that now remains of the mansion of Muntham Court..... a section of monogrammed walling.....now in a crumbling state in August 2004. |
MUNTHAM in 2004
Copyright Valerie Martin 2004
The magnificent mansion of Muntham Court and the Muntham Estate in Findon remained in the Thynne family until the death of Colonel Ulric Oliver Thynne in 1957.
Early in the l960's the house was demolished and plans were put in hand to build a crematorium on the site. However, this did not come to fruition initially and it was eventually erected on the site where the family's tennis courts once stood and the crematorium was finally opened in 1968.
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3rd August 2004 Valerie
Here is a picture of the Judas tree in flower and another taken from the terrace showing the dolphin fountain both taken in 1974. ( I rescued some of the broken pieces of the dolphins I found about 10 years ago and left them in my old garden at North End.)
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The grounds are gradually being developed into a wildlife sanctuary as a lasting
memorial to those whose services have taken place over the decades.
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Katie says — "This is all that is left in August 2004 of the kitchen floor of the demolished Muntham Court". |
 A regal lady on the Marchioness of Bath's terrace..... all that was left of it in August 2004. |
All that now remains of this once stupendous Findon mansion is the weedy terrace
with its crumbling monogrammed wall and cobbled approach to the main entrance.
Together with the disused Ice House, overgrown Well House and family burial
ground. The North Lodge and Pigeon House also still exist, both now converted
into private residences.
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August 2004. Some inquisitive cows.....Muntham Clump is on the horizon.... where the Thynne family have their burial ground. |
A poignant reminder of the former grandeur of Muntham is the Judas Tree
— this stands neglected at the
northern approach to this once great mansion. Despite the neglect the ancient
tree still struggles to flower each Spring and displays an abundance of pink
flowers for all to enjoy.
 The Judas Tree in the driveway to the mansion of Muntham Court in the 1900s (the Judas is the lone tree in the centre of the yew topiary display). |
click to enlarge
Above is a photograph of the Judas Tree in the days of Colonel Thynne at residence at Muntham Court. It was said to be the largest in the country at that era. This photograph was used as the frontispiece one year for the Thynne family's Christmas cards. Even in those days you will notice that it is referred to as "old" but not so fallen and dilapidated as my own photograph with Suzie.... below in 2004...
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Suzie poses for that same Judas Tree in August 2004.... it lies neglected, gnarled and sadly sprawling over the drive. |
click to enlargeMuntham Court in 2010 |
This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.
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Do let me know of anything you hear about Findon - not too controversial. Please note that opinions expressed in the Findon Chronicles are not necessarily reflective of my own thoughts.... but sometimes they are! |
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