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

BRIDES OF FINDON

OS reference TQ 116 084

Copyright Valerie Martin 2009

Firstly, here is a little unknown fact about the early nineteenth century in the village of Findon.    It was the usual custom at St. John the Baptist Church to practise traditionally strewing the bride and groom on their special day with wheat, sugar-plums as well as petals, as they walked through the church yard.   I often wonder if the wheat could have stung a bit if thrown too hard!  

Even poor folk could walk over a strewn carpet of flowers.  

The local folk employed to do this (c. 1810) were known as Strewers and they duly expected a present from the newly married couple for performing the task!

In May 2006, the late John Pelling showed me a photograph of the author of the book entitled Fragments of Findon.    He was  Hugh Richard Penfold Wyatt J.P.

Hugh Richard Penfold Wyatt was born in 1861 in Hampshire and died aged 78 at his Cissbury Estate in Nepcote in 1938 at the age of 78.  

During his life in Findon he also lived at Holmbush in the High Street c. 1855 and later at Cissbury and re-built each wing of the house.    In 1905 he was made High Sheriff of Sussex.

I then had a sudden idea.   Were you married at St. John's the Baptist Church in Findon... or do you know someone who was?     If so, send me a photograph of your wedding at the church along with the date.....and a photograph of yourself today.

 Let us see how many years we can go back........ will Joan Wyatt's wedding be the earliest I can conjure up.

Search out those photographs for me.... and start scanning.     Don't worry if you're now divorced...... don't despair...you can cut the other half out and just send yourself.  

The only stipulation I make is that the wedding photograph MUST have St. John's the Baptist Church somewhere in the background.   

I will put the Brides of Findon I have discovered in chronological order of their wedding dates...

Here's an email sent to me by Sarah Condon from Leicester in August 2009...."Hi Valerie...In trying to find a good photo of Findon Church, particularly of the Lych gate, I came across your website.

I also discovered the on-line guest book for the church, and have placed an entry for my parents diamond wedding anniversary!

We are so excited about my parents' forthcoming diamond wedding in a couple of weeks , they were married at Findon church on 13th August. I wondered if you may have any photos of the church which you could possibly email to me? Especially showing the lych gate.

The photo attached is only a scanned copy, so quality not too good, but wondered if you could include it on your lovely website?

My wonderful parents, Denise and Deryck Foster, were married in the church on 13th August 1949, and it's hard to believe where the years have gone with their Diamond Wedding anniversary is almost here.

Now in their early and middle 80's respectively, they are both in fantastic health, and have enjoyed the most exciting and varied life, usually involving the water and the sea! living on a houseboat on the Thames with a new baby, the Isle of Wight for our growing up years and life on the Solent and as a crewman with the Yarmouth lifeboat, enjoying Bermuda in the 80s and further progressing a career as a successful and well respected marine artist in America, a home in Jamestown, Rhode Island, retiring to Majorca for some 20 years, and lately settling in Uppingham on the edges of Rutland water.

My parents have a tremendous sense of fun and humour, and continue to enjoy a huge life full of variety. We thank them for being the best parents in the world, and wish them a very happy anniversary and party celebrating this fantastic 60 years. Ps. Some years ago Mummy and I visited the church when we were in the area, and had a wonderful day of nostalgia!

I look forward to hearing from you.

With very best wishes

Sarah Condon, Kibworth, Leicester."

Firstly, Sarah.... fortunately for you there are absolutely loads of fabulous photographs of St. John the Baptist Church on this website so I don't need to send them to you.

Secondly.... a good percentage include the picturesque old lych gate that you are looking for.   Ditto.

Thirdly.... I have not an on-line Guest Book for signing on this website and have never had one..... so I can't imagine where you think you have placed your entry.   You'll have to do a bit of revision on that one.

But I will put on the photograph of your parents' Big Day on 13th August 1949...and here are Denise and Deryk Foster for everyone to see...

Here's a snowy Findon wedding ....what a lovely surprise to receive this one below.  Thank you for another glamorous bride, Gladys.

If anyone would like to read more of Gladys' reminiscences of Findon, please click on Gladys Lambourne and Rose Cottage and following the links through, there's lots to read.

Here's another one of Roger and of Roger and Patricia...... with the Reverend Gibson in attendance... and Findon Place in the background....

click to enlarge

I have been unable to find out very much about this Vicar of Findon.    His obituary mentions Lodsworth and Nuthurst as well as Findon.    Also the Community of St. Hilda and some years of ministry in Japan.

I would die for that lovely dress, Pam.  I will not let on how much it cost.

Another super dress....

What a lovely setting....

Continue if you would like to read about an Eerie Experience at the Church.

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