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

FINDON SHEEP FAIR RETURNS TO ITS FORMER GLORY —

2009 celebrated the Great Findon Sheep Fair of yesteryear with show and great weather....traffic congestion.... cars slewed up along the verges of the A24..... local roads blocked.....and sheep pens stretching (almost) as far as the eye could see........

Copyright Valerie Martin 2009

REPORTING FROM THE 2009 FINDON SHEEP FAIR...

click on all images to enlarge

Firstly, hearty congratulations to the Sheep Fair Committee, headed by Barry Parker of Nepcote, for their expertise and organisation of the event in September 2009.

Secondly, the Findon Parish Council deserve congratulations for the stunning job they have done in getting the North Side of Nepcote Green ready for the Sheep Fair this year (the area to the right of the lane).    In September 2008 it looked such a mess...... and a year later it was a sight to behold.
 

The Harris Brothers' Fair rumbled through Nepcote on the Monday of Sheep Fair Week.   They had travelled from the Dorset Steam Fair and pitched tent on the tranquil Green giving the usual colourful addition to the scene as it had done for many decades.   

Fred Harris told me that he remembered in days past (before the Findon landscape was so hidden behind trees) he could see much more of the hillsides all around.    On Sheep Fair morning, he recalled that the familiar green grassy downland turned white.    No, not with snow!   But with sheep descending on Findon from the east and the west.   The little hooves of the flocks clattered along the lanes with their attendant panting dogs and they all flooded onto Nepcote Green and milled around munching the grass.    Fred smiled as he recalled how the Harris' caravans rocked as the sheep bumped against them again and again.   Some animals just blundered into them.... others even got wedged underneath sometimes.

Suzie and Katie attended their tenth Sheep Fair on 12th September 2009 and headed through the fairground as if it was an every day occurrence to them.

What a sheer delight to see so many sheep being judged on Nepcote Green once again.     What a record breaking attendance by the public.   What a mammoth show.

Graham Langford...... (in charge of the sheep organising and arranging judging) told me that he hopes the annual event will go from strength to strength.   If 2009 is anything to go by, he has no problems to worry about on that score.    (Although I think the police will have to do something about the parked cars on the A24).

.              

The judging of Junior Handling is always a very serious business....

     ....especially when you are only 3-years old.

Suzie and Katie were heard to mutter between themselves... "Can we go home now and have our tea..........pleeeese?"

"See you next September, Fred"

SHEEP FAIR HOT LINE....Message from disgruntled GEOFF LEWIS..."Hi, I have just attended the Fair today, all though well attended.We are very dissapointed at the prices the food outlets were charging.I know you yourself have nothing to do with the Sheep fair,but i feel it should be brought to the attention of the people who are organising this revival event.

To charge £5 for a Apple & Boar foot sausage in dry roll is a bit much by anyone,s standards.

We attened many fairs and events across the country throughout the year nad people are controlled in what they can charge for food and drink.

I think these people shoud be brought to book for charging these prices they are just taking advantage of the event.

Findon Sheep Fair holds many nostalgic memories for us both in fact we met there 54 years ago.

Next time i shall be aware of the prices and avoid.

Its a shame when they are trying to revive a very Historic eveny in Findon history egards Geoff Lewis."

Are there any other comments from surfers on this score?   What did YOU think?

FROM TERRY WALLS in Canberra, Australia...."Valerie....Your report and pics of the FSF were great.

Such good quality sheep. I love the pic of the three-year old sheep judge.

Cheers...Terry Walls, Canberra, Australia"

 

FROM GERALD WHITE in Lincolnshire....."Dear Valerie, the way in which you have recorded events at the Annual sheep fair is excellent.

The proud youngsters showing their handling skills and sheep husbandry, and the wonderful Rams, shown in your pictures reflect the day, and the Sun shone all day by the look of it.

I bet Suzie and Katie slept well , once fed. Thanks again..............Gerald".

FROM LAWRIE MAY in Antigua, West Indies......Pleased to see the Sheep Fair raising its profile again. It used to be such a significant day of the year.

FROM BRUCE ELSTON in Botswana.......Was getting a bit worried about no up-dates on the webpage. Then, before closing computer down this evening, I tuned in a second time and all was revealed. You have obviously been fully engaged in producing the most excellent complete new Additions and Feedback page.

Enjoyed it immensely and great to see the resurgence of the fair. Here's hoping the organisers get the necessary support from the public and potential participants to go from strength to strength. Its all about local support.

Regards, Bruce".

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SHEEP FAIR......   It is not always appreciated how much work goes into the organising of an event such as the Findon Sheep Fair and without valued local volunteers it would not have continued over the centuries    After the show, everyone disperses home..... and Nepcote Green is deserted and forgotten by the public.  

Early the on Sunday after the 2009 Sheep Fair...... the Green was a hive of activity.    Graham Langford was in evidence with a band of helpers dismantling the sheep hurdles...... marquees were being taken down.....John Stepney of Findon was busy replacing fencing.... the fair was silent and in the progress of sleepily clearing up in readiness to leave.    I believe they returned to base at Ashington and their next public engagement is usually at Petworth..

General cleaning up operations were on-going return the Green to pristine conditions and left to the dog walkers for yet another year.

In conclusion, it was report that a profit was shown in the Findon Parish Council accounts of some £1,000. made from the 2009 Sheep Fair.

The police were looking into traffic control for future Sheep Fairs as the 2009 event had caused chaos on the local roads ..... cars slewed up on the verges of the A24 etc.    The Findon Parish Council are hoping that the owners of Ring House in Nepcote will be prepared to allow their field to be used for overflowing parking in the future.

For the next Sheep Fair.... click on The Nepcote Flock

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