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

WORTHING'S FURTHER CONTRIBUTION T0 THE WINDMILL SCENE

(and a ghost story)

Copyright Valerie Martin 2005

At one time neighbouring Worthing could boast that it had many windmills and most of these would be visible from the Findon downland.   Much much cheaper grain and imported flour combined to bring about a rapid decline in their use.   Now only the High Salvington Windmill on the downland above Findon remains in our area.

The earliest record of a windmill in Worthing is to a Mill Furlong in the town's East Field.   This is mentioned as early as 1616 and again in 1635.   John Pelling says he has this listed as a Tide Mill.

The name of Mill Field appeared in 1718.

A post windmill was constructed at some point between 1805 and 1807 on the south-west corner of Teville Common and rather confusing for me was known as by various names.   Such as the WORTHING MILL  in 1810...... the TEVILLE MILL in 1814 and after that the CROSS STREET MILL.   In 1881, this windmill was moved east of the town to a site later covered by Seamill Park Crescent.   I have not been able to find an image of this windmill.

Between 1806 and 1813 a tower windmill was built on the western side of the Ham Road — at its southern end (known as Ham Lane in those far off days).   At this time, Ham Lane extended into a road that was later renamed Dominion Road. 

This windmill was originally HIDE'S MILL and built for Richard Hide and was later the northern of the two NAVARINO WINDMILLS, so named after the Battle of Navarino in 1827 during the Greek War of Independence.  I am not quite sure what the connection Navarino had with Worthing?   The only one I can think of is the fact that windmill sweeps are often called sails and the Battle of Navarino was the last fleet action fought totally under sail.  

This north windmill was an interesting  shape.... an octagonal structure of red brick which is somewhat of a rarity in this part of  Sussex.

The Navarino Windmills site was a deserted spot.  The southern Navarino Windmill was known as Newland's Navarino Mill was a tower mill constructed in 1831 by James Sheppard who lived in one of the cottages close to the windmills.   This windmill was said to be the last word in modern technology of the day.   It stood five storeys high and worked two stones.   This windmill  was grinding grain up until 1896.   In all probability there was a baker's shop nearby (or even attached to) one of the windmills. 

The Navarino Windmills continued in use until the last owner, William Barker, died in 1896.  They were finally demolished by workmen in 1902.

However, the cottages remained standing.   There were originally two separate dwellings but at some point before the Second World War, these were converted into one and it became a haunted place.   In later years, the occupants of the property became aware of a disturbing silent ghostly presence noticed through one of the interior windows of the old house.  This was between the kitchen and lounge.  

Although this apparition was witnessed on several occasions, it was never as a full-length figure, just the head and shoulders were glimpsed through the window above the windowsill.   It appeared to be a female spirit because it was small-framed and there was a grey veil or similar headgear trailing behind her.   The image of the spectre appeared to be elderly and somewhat stooped with age.  This restless ghost's regular route never varied and it always appeared from the north side of the cottage and walked to the south at dusk or during the evening.

There is yet another mystery — two families living at the property over the years have divulged that their 13-year old daughters were awoken at night for weeks on end with their hair being stroked by an unseen hand.  Creepy or what!

I have discovered that there was another windmill recorded to the east of the Navarino Windmills in 1875 and again in 1896 but I have been unable to find the name of this one, nor an image.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.