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

THE APPARITION OF THE NAVARINO WINDMILL SITE

Copyright Valerie Martin 2011

At one time neighbouring Worthing could boast that it had many windmills and most of these would be visible from the Findon downland and other local villages.   Much cheaper grain and imported flour combined to bring about a rapid decline in the use of mills.    Now only the High Salvington Windmill on the downland above Findon remains in ur area.

Between 1806 and 1813 a tower windmill was built on the western side of the Ham Road in nearby Worthing — at its southern end (known as Ham Lane in those far off days).   At this time, Ham Lane extended into a road that was later renamed Dominion Road and familiar to us all who visit the Council's Recycling and Refuse Tip! 

This windmill could possibly be seen from Cissbury Ring and was originally known as Hide's Mill and built for Richard Hide and was later the northern of the two Navarino windmills, so named after the Battle of Navarino in 1827 during the Greek War of Independence.  I am not quite sure what the connection Navarino had with Worthing?   The only one I can think of is the tenuous fact that windmill sweeps are often called sails and the Battle of Navarino was the last fleet action fought totally under sail! 

This north windmill was an interesting  shape close up.... an octagonal structure of red brick which is somewhat of a rarity in this part of Sussex.

The Navarino Windmills site was a deserted spot in years gone by.  The southern Navarino Windmill known as Newland's Navarino Mill was a tower mill constructed in 1831 by James Sheppard and he lived in one of the cottages close to the windmills.   This windmill was said to be the last word in modern technology of the day.   It stood five storeys high and worked two stones.   This state of the art industrial site was grinding grain up until 1896.   In all probability there was a baker's shop nearby (or even attached to) one of the windmills. 

The Navarino Windmills continued in use until the last owner, William Barker, died in 1896.  Alas, workmen finally demolished them in 1902.

However, the cottages remained standing.   There were originally two separate dwellings but at some point before the Second World War, these were converted into one and then the fun began.   The property gained the reputation of becoming a haunted place.   In later years, the occupants were unnerved when they became aware of a disturbing silent ghostly presence noticed through one of the interior windows of the old house.  This was between the kitchen and lounge.  

Although this creepy apparition was witnessed on several occasions, it was never as a full-length figure; just the unearthly head and shoulders were glimpsed through the window above the windowsill.   It appeared to be a female spirit because of its small stature and there was a grey veil or similar headgear trailing behind.   The image of the spectre appeared to be elderly and somewhat stooped with age.  This restless ghost's regular route never varied and it always appeared from the north side of the cottage and walked to the south at dusk or during the evening.

There is yet another mystery — two families living at the property over the years have divulged that their 13-year old daughters were awoken for weeks on end at night with their hair being stroked by an unseen hand.  Creepy or what!

Continue to read  An Eerie Experience at the Church

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