THIS IS
FINDON VILLAGE —
These Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West
Sussex, U.K.
BRIDES OF FINDON
OS reference TQ 116 084
Copyright Valerie Martin 2010
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 the tradition
of strewing the bride and groom on their special day with wheat, sugar-plums as
well as petals, as they walked through the church yard.
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!
So, what is the origin of this strewing?
It could have started out as a belief that showering the so-called happy couple
with rice or other grains would transfer the fertility of the grain to the
couple. Thus producing babies at double quick time. The
habit became mixed up and people began to chuck nuts and dried fruits too which
stung if thrown a bit too hard. Finally this became too dangerous when
whole cakes were being enthusiastically hurled. Some were even
crushed over the couple as they literally ran from the church. 17th
and 18th century days of happily married bliss started with black eyes, ripped
dresses and concussed brides.
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.
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 been conducted at St. John's the Baptist Church.
I will put the Brides of
Findon I have discovered in chronological order of their wedding dates...and
my first one goes back to over a hundred years ago.....
The earliest Findon bride I have a photograph of is Annie
Merritt and she is thanks to Pamela Green who wrote to me in October 2010....
"Dear
Valerie Martin, What a wonderful site Findon is! I have enjoyed looking at it. I
have a special place in my heart for Findon as my mother's family lived there
for nearly 100 years..... in Ivy Cottage on the Washington Bypass. I have a
photo' of my family taken in the back garden of the house in 1900 ?? . My family
were the Merritts. John Frederick, my Great Grandfather, my Grandmother etc.
celebrating a daughter's wedding. Would you like me to send it to you?
Moses Merritt was my two times Great Grandfather. A Sussex family since .......
Alas, my family have moved on now and we mostly live in Woking in Surrey which
is not lovely Sussex.
Sincerely,
Pamela Green"
Of course, I told Pamela we would love to see a photograph of an
old Findon wedding and the next day it arrived.
click to enlarge Pamela's photographs
"Thank you for your e.mail. I attach
hereto the photo image of the family taken about 1900 I think. Looking at the
picture - Front row-seated-left to right:-
Charles Gardiner- Elizabeth Merritt- (my grandparents) - John Frederick Merritt
- Elizabeth Merritt- nee Fuller(I think) - my G/Grandparents - Bride - Annie
Merritt
(I think). Grooms family - unknown.
Back row-standing -left to right:- Henry Gardiner (brother to Charles- his wife?
Henry Merritt (brother) (standing behind John) - all others unknown.
I afraid I can't be sure of dates because Elizabeth Merritt (Fuller) died 4 days
before my grandparents marriage of 6.4. 1901 so this must be taken in 1900 I
think. Poor Elizabeth spent most of her married life in Chichester Asylum so I'm
not completely sure this is her at all. Maybe she came out for her daughter's
wedding - she has creases in her dress which implies it hadn't been worn much. I
haven't been able to find the wedding date at all which doesn't help. My mother
remembered Ivy Cottage with affection in her day.
I am a little old lady of 80 and I don't know what a Jpeg picture is so I trust
this picture will do! Every good wish for your site. Regards, Pamela
Green"
There is a close runner-up for Findon's earliest bride I can record and she is thanks to Roy Winton on the borders of
Worcestershire and Shropshire.
Winton's Stores has long gone in Findon but the memories linger on. Roy
wrote to me in September 2010......
"I
wondered if you might like the attached " Findon Wedding". It was my
grandfathers wedding which took place on 19th November 1902 at Findon Church.
My Grandfather was George's older brother, Edward. I think I am now the
Senior member of that branch of the family, my aunt Fanny (Nene) having died
last week aged 99. She was Edwards youngest child and I am the oldest
grandchild. Edward was born at Findon Post Office in June 1875. He
was a Regular Soldier as was his older brother Thomas. Both served in the
Royal Engineers and both had completed 22 years before the outbreak of WW1. E
dward having served in the Boer war and had been taken prisoner on 17th July
1900. Both men, although into their 40's re-enlisted during the Great War and
returned to their Regiment for the latter part of the war.
George
Winton 1902 (click to enlarge
both images)
19th
November 1902 - Lance Corporal Edward Winton and Fanny Louise Aslett
married at St. John the Baptist Church.
I don't know where the photo was taken but the groom is Lance Corporal Edward
Winton and the Bride my grandmother Fanny Louise Aslett from Odiham. "Uncle"
George is on the left of the back row and Thomas is the Sergeant on the
right.and two of ladies are younger sister Maria Winton and Cora Catherine
Swann. Maria Swann was my great grandmother.
My father was also Edward, born 1906 and I too am Edward, but for obvious
reasons use my second name - Roy. I remember "Uncle" George and "Aunty" Kate
well having visited them often at the Keep and remember George's walled garden
which he always kept immaculate. Best wishes......Roy Winton"
FROM ROY WINTON again....."Dear
Valerie....I am so pleased you like it and am glad that it has found a home on
your site. You've done the family proud! It must take hours of your time - it's
such a comprehensive site and a great record of village life.
click to enlarge
I attach a copy of
Grandad's marriage certicate for your info.
I read with interest the section on Village "Bobbies" and I think I knew each
and every one of them. My age tells here, as I served with Jack Griffin!! when
he was at Worthing. Like my father, also Edward who was stationed at Horsham and
then Shoreham throughout the war, after completing Military Service I joined
West Sussex Police serving for 31 years. John Pears who has a letter quoted on
your site was one of my scenes of crime Officers when I was in charge of the
North Division (Horsham and Crawley) CID. Not only were we work colleagues we
were good friends particularly on the cricket field.
I had traced the family back to Shoreham in the late 1700's and have now found
previous research, with documentary evidence, that takes them back to Slaugham
in 1600. Family talk was always that the Wintons had come from France via the
west coast of Scotland. I appear to have come full circle as my daughter was
married at Slaugham whilst I was still serving, and at that time was living at
Bolney. I currently live on the border of Worcestershire and Shropshire, but I
don't think I shall ever be anything other than Sussex!!
I really am glad the photograph appears to have found a rightful home. Both
Grandad and my father would have been pleased.
My best wishes....Roy".
In May 2006, the late John Pelling showed me a photograph
of the author of the book entitled Fragments of Findon. This 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.

Here is the Findon landowner, Hugh Richard Penfold Wyatt outside St. John the Baptist
Church with his daughter, Joan on 20th July 1927. |
The above marriage was between Mr. Peter T. Chevallier and Miss
Joan Wyatt, children of esteemed families. In the photograph the
wedding car has just arrived at the church where a crowd of guests, tenants and
Findonians have been dutifully standing and waiting. The bride is
seen wearing a train of antique Brussels lace, bridal veil and flower head dress
as she walks towards the lychgate. The bridesmaids holding baskets
decorated with flowers and pageboys were nudged forward and follow the bride
under the archway and up the path to the church.
After the ceremony the car left the church where several others
were parked. The happy couple, Peter T. Chevallier (son of Captain
Barrington H. Chevallier and Mrs Chevallier of Great Bealings in Suffolk).....
and Peter's bride, Joan, waved from the car as it passed Charles Eric Hartridge
of Findon Place with his cine camera (rather a novelty in those days of the
1920s). I would add that he was a member of the esteemed
Institute of Incorporated Amateur Cinematographers.
|

c. 1931 — Chrissy and
Arthur Pelling's wedding at Findon Church. (Janet Pelling tells me that
two brothers married two sisters, Chrissy and Arthur and Violet and
Harry). |

Violet and Harry Pelling outside St. John the Baptist
Church on 4th April 1933. |
During the Second World War the Reverend J. V. Marsh was the
vicar of St. John the Baptist Church and he spoke in 1941 of his pleasure to
announce that he had 127 attending Sunday School. Perhaps such
a high attendance was due to the beautiful brides we have already seen at the
Findon Church!
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.
| 8th March 2007
Dear Valerie,
Brides of Findon
I am sending you copies of photographs of
my wedding 29th March 1952.

No photographer, guests just brought their
cameras.
The bridesmaid on the right of the picture
is my cousin, now Jennifer Wakeford, married at Findon Church 15 years
later. I think you may be hearing from her.
Her father, George Mitchell, gave me away
as you can see in the lychgate photo.

I had a truly white wedding as Findon was
covered in snow that day. To keep warm, I wore two vests under
my dress borrowed from my aunt who was married in 1934... so a wedding on
a shoe string.
The reception was held in the Old School
House.
As always, Gladys Lambourne.
Gladys Lambourne, Findon Village, West
Sussex.
|
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.
|
31st March 2007
Findon Brides

June 14th 1958 - the wedding of Miss Patricia Diana
Franks to the late Mr Roger Moulds. So it will be 50 next year.
The smallest bridesmaid in the picture is my baby sister
who has just become a grandmother.
Roger
Roger Moulds, Llandrindod Wells, Powys,
Wales.
|
Here's another one of Roger and of Roger and Patricia...... with the Reverend
Gibson in attendance... and Findon Place in the background....

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.

15th September 1962
under the lych gate.
Pam Stepney, Findon Village, West Sussex.
|
I would die for that lovely dress, Pam. I
will not let on how much it cost.
|

Janet and John Pelling's wedding on 4th June 1966
at St John the Baptist Church conducted by the Reverend Brett who used to lodge
at Granchester in Nepfield Close.
|

Janet and John Pelling's wedding. |
|
24th June 2006
hi valerie,

Find attached photo taken of us in Findon
church 40yrs to the day we got married,The flowers that i am holding were
given to us by the Church on the 4th June 2006.
From Janet Pelling Lower Salvington sx.
|
Another super dress....
| 21st March
2007
Dear Valerie, The
attached photo is of my wedding taken almost 40years ago on
30th September 1967.
My headdress and veil were borrowed from a friend, the dress I bought off a
another friend for £5, and the shoes were borrowed from my mother.
So you see it was all done on the cheap, like my cousin Gladys Lambourne's
wedding.
The wedding car was also a friends I went to the church in a new Ford Cortina
Mk1, and to the reception in the Village House Hotel in a Austin 12/4 1928
Tourer belonging to the bestman
Regards Jennifer Wakeford ( nee Mitchell).

|
What a lovely setting....
| 28th May 2006
Here’s a photo of my wedding to Rita Potten
on 8 June 1968 at St John the Baptist.
The wedding was performed by Donald Brett.

Lychgate is behind us.
It was rather an overcast day and had been raining
in the morning.
Within a couple of years, colour photos had completely
taken over from black and white.
Regards,
Neil
Neil Rogers-Davis, Angmering Village, West
Sussex.
|
|
23rd March 2007
Dear Valerie,
Here is a picture of Ian
and Helen Wedding at St John the Baptist Findon on the
26th March
2005.
On Monday will be their
2nd Wedding Anniversary".
Janet Pelling, Lower
Salvington, West Sussex.

|
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.
|

MAIL VALERIE
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! |