THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE - John Young of Findon Place

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

A Classic Car Rally at Findon Place in the days of the owner, ex-racing driver, John Young. (Late 1970s - late 1980s)

JOHN YOUNG and the Classic Cars of Findon Place

I decided it was about time that I set out to discover a little more about one of the past owners of Findon Place. This was John Young and his once debutante wife, Peta. She was said to have a zest for life and gaiety.

To say the least, the ancient house was not in the best condition when they took over. I have been told that the war years had taken their toll and it had recently been rented out to students who had left it in a dilapidated condition.

It was said that Peta livened the old place up .... and was seen driving her Mercedes off to Marks & Spencer on shopping sprees. Searches were made in the cellars under the house where she had heard rumoured there was a passage .... hidden treasure was said to lie here.....the mysterious tunnel supposedly connected Findon Place with the nearby St. John the Baptist Church. It was not surprising that nothing came to light as a result of the underground rummaging.

Much renovation and re-decoration had to be undertaken but the years of the Young family's tenure have been described as happy carefree times.... with drivers such as John's great friend, Roy Salvadori, seen driving through Findon and heading towards Findon Place. I will endeavour to explain.

In the 1950s, motor-racing not only starred household names as Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss.

I personally think motor racing was much more interesting in years gone by when some successful owners of garages and amateurs raced F1 and sports cars in our national events .....as well as competing in larger continental affairs as Le Mans. One such driver on the scene was John Young a well-known Grand Prix driver, who was later to purchase Findon Place.

John Young click to enlarge

Around 1955 and wearing his now garage-owner's hat, John Young was the agent for Mercedes and sold a good many of the new 300SLs Gullwings (as well as owning one). Others making a good sale were the Mercedes Roadsters and would you believe it if I told you that his clients for new vehicles included none other than one of my favourites, Tony Hancock..... and also the film star, Anita Ekberg.

When moving to Findon he was known for his collection of fine classic cars.... stabled where else.... but in the old stables of the manor house. Whether any of the above collection were seen around the Findon lanes, I do not know. Perhaps someone can remember and let me know?

I will endeavour to set the scene. When I moved to Findon in 1993, how did I initially become aware of John Young in Findon? My original source of information which led me to tracing this legend of the racing track was rather surprisingly, a Canadian.

Hugh Somerset Margesson was the brother of the Lord of the Manor of Findon, Colonel Evelyn Margesson and he emigrated to Canada c.1900. He had son, Richard David — who in turn had a son, Richard Somerset Margesson. This latter gentleman was extremely proud to have some links with the Lord of the Manor of Findon of yesteryear. He was the first to contact me and mention the Youngs of Findon Place. His email related some rather colourful memories of a visit he made from Toronto to his roots in the village in 1977....and in particular when he knocked on the door of the manor at Findon Place owned by then by the Young family —

4th January 2004.

Sorry to hear that you do not know the Manor owners. I know in England there has been much more of class structure, than here in the North American social melting pot, I suppose because there was no middle class in England for a 1000 years.

Peta Young was very hospitable toward me. Although, being friendly, and my own age, 38, at that time in 1977, she did say she was not involved in the church nor its women's auxilliary, because she did not want the Manor to become a place for tea parties and fundraisers.

She may have not wanted to socialize with those beneath her, but like some women she may have not liked other women generally. I will never know.

During the first night of my visit to Findon just after attending evensong at the church, and being enthralled with the place, a parishioner, at the suggestion of the Warden, took me to the house. The sons showed me around who knew this elderly spinster Professor's daughter - a recent Findon retiree.

The next day at the house before noon I met with Peta who gave a drink. A nice little dog entered the sitting room which I remarked on and she said I should have been there 2 weeks ago when Prince Charles was there and gave her the dog. He drank out of the stem ware glass I was holding. She said Findon was on his duty trip list because of the horses. I would have like to have met this distant relative.

Only recently he was on televison with his good diction and accent showing his grandfathers clocks. Being a strong monarchist like most Canadians, I still respect him and regret years later the divorce and whole lady Diana saga.

Peta politely dismissed the spinster who she said was a teatottler before giving me the drink. She then donned a cape and took me down to the pub, on the north corner of the house laneway and main town street where I was staying and ordered drinks on the house for the few there. That was one the most exciting days and nights I had ever spent.

Two nights later of my 4 day stay it was reported all over the area that I was there and people came to the pub to meet me and awed at my North American accent.

A lady waitress from the pub next door walked up to me and said, "Mr. Margesson, you have ruined our business, everyone is here. I was very apologetic and complied with her request to have a beer next door to help her.

Richard Somerset Margesson BA, Toronto, Canada.

The above communication set me wondering but I sat on the information for a few years until I received another email....

In September 2007, John Brown wrote in September 2007 to say ......

Hello Valerie ,i came across you web pages by chance in looking for a street map of Findon and followed on with interest. Regarding Findon Place ,i knew it very well and was there many times.

The reason is i was the then owner Mr John Young,s,parts manager of his Mercedes Benz dealership in Caterham for twenty five years from 1974 .

I also laid on many social functions for him and his wife Peta who sadly died quite young but was a real fun lady.

John young had a fantastic collection of vintage and racing vehicles all kept at Findon Place . He also had many vintage motor meets there with the Rolls and Bentley owners Club.and many celebrities

The interior of the house was amazing and i used to wander around the grounds in and out of the big glass houses and out buildings.

After Peta Yong died it was not quite the same feel and i was not surprised to see John sell it.

Once a gain i congratulate you on an excellent web site Best regards John Brown

In February 2010, Dean Cronshaw in Broadwater emailed to say that the old showrooms belonging to John Young in Caterham had been derelict since around 1989 and were becoming an eyesore. He said he would take a photograph of them when he was next in Caterham.

In November 2008 I inserted the above photograph of the classic cars parked at the driveway of Findon Place on my Feedback page and asked for assistance on finding out a little more about John Young.

I was delighted when Phil Goddin of Findon emailed back to say he had actually been an attendant at one of the Car Rallies at Findon Place .....

Hi Valerie... I was a voluntary marshall on the gate at one of these events and recall that John Surtees was a guest.

Further research carried out by Phil revealed...

A John Young is listed in the book ‘Goodwood remembered 1949 – 1960’ by Peter Redman and another raced at this years Goodwood revival driving an Austin Westminster in the St Mary's Trophy.

I cannot find any specific reference to the John Young who lived in Findon; however, I believe he was connected to the short-lived Ferrari garage in Findon Valley, now also closed down after yet another ill fated motoring venture. What will it be next I wonder?

Yes, I guess that is our man, John Young at Goodwood, Phil.

I know that many love classic cars and some of you must have visited the rallies in the past at Findon ..... perhaps with a camera? I am going to ask if anyone has a photograph(s) of John Young's cars at Findon Place in the past?

John Young resided at Findon Place for some ten years. After his wife died, he moved away. He now lives in nearby Steyning.

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This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com