THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these Findon Chronicles were created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home village of Findon,
West Sussex, U.K.    Everyday stories about real people.

THE PARTY THAT NEVER WAS

Copyright Valerie Martin 2008

At the end of September 2008, the late Roger Moulds set the following puzzle....

"Hi Valerie, here's one for your readers:

What was the connection between Northampton and Findon on 27th September 2008?

Answer later"

I replied that he had intimated that this is for my readers,  and did this exclude me?  

Before he had a chance to answer, I said that the grey cells have been working hard.   I had racked my brains and deduced that the 27th September 2008 was a Saturday.... that must be the first clue to spur me on.    On Saturdays the male fraternity of the universe usually go sporting mad..... so perhaps it was the date of a football match and did Findon win by a penalty point?   

My second thought was that it could not be connected to rugby because I had never heard of a Findon Rugby Club (put me right if I am wrong here).   And also it was a wee bit early in the season for running around and bowling each other over?    

Perhaps it was a late cricket match then?   Were Findon in a county match?    Did Findon win the league?     I do not buy a local newspaper very often so I could not cheat and look this up.

I posted Roger's puzzle on my Feedback page and sat back and waited......and none of the surfers had any idea either.  

As usual, I was wrong again with my deductions and the following day Roger revealed all and gave the answer to his cryptic Findon/Northampton question....

 

Several years ago I discovered your superb website and became a contributor. My contributions were attributed, by you, to 'Roger Moulds from Llandrindod Wells'.

One day a letter arrived at my house from John Patmore, an ex Findon resident now living near Northampton. I should say that the envelope only said 'Roger Moulds, Llandrindod Wells'. I don't actually live in Llandrindod Wells, but it got here, thank you Mr Postman.

John was wondering if I had a brother named Geoff as they were old friends and he wanted to get in touch if he could. I passed him on to my brother Geoffrey. A little while later I saw that Derek Bushrod had made a contribution to your website. I knew that he also had been a good friend of Geoff's and you helped me put them in touch with one another.

Then along came Nurse Day's 100th birthday and a party was planned, which unfortunately had to be cancelled. However, no one thought to tell John Patmore that it was cancelled, nor did anyone tell Derek's younger sister Valerie. The result was that the two of them were the only ones that turned up at Findon Village Hall for a party that had been cancelled. Neither of them knew that the other person had been invited, and they had not seen each other for many, many years and they did not recognise each other at first. However, the mist slowly lifted and it gradually dawned on them who the other person was.

Then the two started dating, which culminated, last Saturday with a wedding at Northampton Register Office, and it has been reported to me that the day went splendidly..

Unfortunately I missed the occasion because No.2 grand daughter had been helicoptered into Alder Hey children's hospital two days earlier, my wife was unwell, and I was looking after her and No.1 grand daughter.

click on pic to enlarge

 

Geoff has sent me the attached photo and I have John and Valerie's permission to tell you this story and to pass the photo on to you.

So you see, Valerie, your website has made another Valerie very happy, and I hope that it has made you happy too, in which case everyone will be happy, and that will make me very happy."

 


Great story, Roger...... it is just amazing what occurs through reading and contributing to these pages.

Oh dear, I do all the hard work on this website...... and nothing so exciting happens to me !   

Motto for all:   Attend more birthday celebrations.... whether cancelled or not.

 

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

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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!