8th October 2004

Dear Ms. Martin,

I stumbled across your magnificent web page by chance recently (If I have nothing better to do, I occasionally "surf" for places I have known of, or visited).

My connection to Findon is somewhat tenuous, but may be of passing interest.

Our family originated in Hampshire (New Forest) but when my late Father's brother (Mr. W. A. "Bill" Elston) retired in the early 1950's he decided to retire to Findon - his wife Kitty (nee O'Connell) was related or somehow connected to the proprietors of the Findon Manor Hotel.

He purchased "Manor Cottage" - probably from the Hotel.  Its name may have been changed by now, but its long, narrow plot stretched between Cross Lane and Nepcote Lane, two or three doors up from their junction by the Old Forge.  A tiny narrow little cottage, two up and two down.  My Uncle did much renovation and added a bathroom on the rear, as there was none before.

I would occasionally stay with my Uncle and Aunt during school holidays - my sole connection to Findon.  My Aunt used to help out at the Hotel and my Uncle also on occasion. I recall he kept chickens on a small plot to the left of the Hotel entrance driveway on the main road.

Opposite the Hotel there was a small racing stable where I would earn meagre pocket money sweeping, cleaning, grooming, mucking out etc.  But then half a crown was a significant sum for a teenager.  The stables were run at that time by a fierce little ex-Indian Army cavalry sergeant - I don't recall his name.  I would occasionally accompany him into Worthing (in a WW II Jeep) to collect supplies for the stables.  He had a most embarrassing (to me at that age) proclivity of stopping in the middle of a pavement, or wherever, exclaim

"It's getting too hot"

and proceed to remove his trousers!  (Fortunately these would have been dragged on over his breeches prior to the trip into town!).

Findon, to me at that time, provided so much of interest and entertainment - Sheep Fairs, walks on the Downs, the sea nearby - there always seemed to be something of interest going on.

Your description of the forge and its proprietors was most interesting and brings on a feeling of nostalgia - I well remember being made welcome and (GOSH WOW!) allowed to work the bellows or try my hand at a simple piece of practical forging.  I, and other youngsters, were always welcome to come in and watch the work going on and our questions were never rebuffed. A wonderful haven on a rainy day.

How very sad to see the Forge used as a jazzy theme pub, or whatever.  Was not the County Council Museums department interested in such an historic, if humble, building?

Some time after my Uncle moved to Findon my Aunt (my Father's sister) and her husband also retired from London to Findon - He was an American, Mr. Neville Brown and my Aunt was Margaret - always known as Madge.

They moved into a modern bungalow on the main road at the Worthing end of the Village, just past the pub (Black Horse?) but on the left as you went to Worthing. (Near where the old road and by-pass rejoin).  Uncle Browny died relatively soon after their move to the Village and later in the 70's Aunt Madge had a nasty fall when on a trip into Worthing with my late Mother.  She lingered on in a nursing home for many years into her nineties.  Sadly she lost her memory and never recognised me when I would visit her in later years.

I moved to Africa in the early sixties, so was seldom in Findon after then, just occasional visits when on holiday in U.K.

So there you have it - one of no doubt hundreds of family ties, however brief or long, that helps to make up the character and history of an ancient English village.  I feel my own family's imprint must be very faint indeed.

With best regards,

Bruce Elston, South Africa.