THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE —  These Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

WORTHING'S FURTHER CONTRIBUTION TO THE WINDMILL SCENE

(and a ghost story)

Part published in Sussex Local in May 2010

Copyright Valerie Martin 2010

At one time neighbouring Worthing could boast that it had many windmills and most of these would be visible from the Findon downland and other local villages.   Much cheaper grain and imported flour combined to bring about a rapid decline in the use of mills.    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.   The late John Pelling told me that he had 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 and familiar to us all who visit the Council's Recycling and Refuse Tip! 

This windmill was originally known as 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 tenuous 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 close up.... 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 in years gone by.  The southern Navarino Windmill known as Newland's Navarino Mill was a tower mill constructed in 1831 by James Sheppard and he 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 state of the art industrial site 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.  Alas, workmen finally demolished them in 1902-9.

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 then the fun began.   The property gained the reputation of becoming a haunted place.   In later years, the occupants were unnerved when they 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 creepy apparition was witnessed on several occasions, it was never as a full-length figure; just the unearthly head and shoulders were glimpsed through the window above the windowsill.   It appeared to be a female spirit because of its small stature and there was a grey veil or similar headgear trailing behind.   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 a period of years have divulged that their 13-year old daughters were awoken for weeks on end at night with their hair being stroked by an unseen hand.  Creepy or what!

I love windmills.   Our countryside in the past was dotted with industrial scenes.... windmills with sweeps slowly moving in the breeze.    They seem to have been located as far as one could see.   Did the local inhabitants of those long gone days appreciate the idyllic scene?    I doubt it.   Although many artists of the day with an eye for beauty did depict a windmill in their landscapes

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