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

 FEEDBACK AND LATEST ADDITIONS.....  

Copyright 2010 

HERE'S ANOTHER TEASER..... this one comes in three parts.    

(1)   What aircraft is this?   (The photograph has been sent to me by Peter Trounce).  

(2)   Where is it landing?   

(3)   Can you guess a date for me, please.

If you can't answer all questions.... please still write in and make a stab at the rest.

  What a super photograph Peter.

A WEALTH OF INFORMATION THEN FLEW IN....you are all such clever guys when it comes to aircraft ...... that I am speechless...

 GERALD EMAILED....  "Hello Valerie, the giveaway, on the picture of the Biplane landing on the grass- short runway at Shoreham 25/07 is the Railway bridge, it is always difficult to put a date on the picture, however, the photographer, was probably in the centre of the Airfield and so therefore, I would hazzard a guess at 1930s.

As for the aircraft type, I pass.

The tail draggers if any left still use the grass 25/07 runway, the prevailing winds are of course South Westerly..Gerald"

GERALD ADDS...."Screwing my eyes up at the picture of the Biplane, could it be a Southern Martlet built by George Miles at Shoreham in 1929.
I am no expert at Aircraft recognition, however it could be described as Single seat, Stagger winged Biplane, the wing tips are also rounded......Gerald"

TONY PACKE EMAILED....."Hi Valerie.....The aircraft is a Hawker Hart (which I knew) but wouldn't know the other answers but Peter's photo can be found here.

The longest link I've ever posted. Hope it works!

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.glaucus.org.uk/HawkerHart-PT.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Airport.htm&usg=__iZleKDArF4-5t_BK1dGAr-ey_cs=&h=326&w=648&sz=19&hl=en&start=17&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=pbtzXhNyVVeRwM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhawker%2Bhart%2Bbiplane%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

1938 is the year and the Hawker is flying over the River Adur, so I assume It's Shoreham.

I wonderful thing the Internet!

Regards Tony"

DOUG EMAILED ..."Hi Valerie....The aircraft is one of the classic Hawker biplanes designed by Sir Sydney Camm. They all look very similar.

I'll take a guess & say it's a Hawker Hart although the long exhaust pipes don't look right. (There were Hawker Furies based at RAF Tangmere at around the same time.)

It's landing at Shoreham Airport approaching over the railway bridge to what is now runway 31. See this map.

 http://www.shorehamairport.co.uk/images/egkaairfieldlayout.jpg

I'll say the year is 1935".

 

I WILL LEAVE PETER TROUNCE (one time resident of nearby Worthing) .....TO GIVE THE OFFICIAL ANSWER AND EXPLAIN ABOUT HIS PHOTOGRAPH....

"Here is a photo (on a glass plate !!) which I took in 1938 of a Hawker Hart landing there over the railway bridge, training RAF students in "Circuits-and-bumps".

FROM DOUG...."Hi Valerie.......You might use this instead of that long URL Tony Packe sent you.

http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Airport.htm

He gave you the link to the Google search result instead of the actual webpage.

I see that Hart in the photo is the trainer version with a long exhast pipe on either side of the fuselage. The shadow makes it look like two. It also appears to be fitted with a blind-flying hood that was used to cover the rear cockpit so the pupil can't see out. This was used for instrument training".

 

WE WILL TAKE A BREATHER FROM AIRCRAFT NOW (perhaps return to it later)....HERE'S MORE ON "THE OLDER CROWD"..... Penny adds a bit....

What I Want In A Man!    Original List:

1. Handsome
2. Charming
3. Financially successful
4. A caring listener
5. Witty
6. In good shape
7. Dresses with style
8. Appreciates finer things
9. Full of thoughtful surprises


What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 32)

1. Nice looking
2. Opens car doors, holds chairs
3. Has enough money for a nice dinner
4. Listens more than talks
5. Laughs at my jokes
6. Carries bags of groceries with ease
7. Owns at least one tie
8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries

What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 42)

1. Not too ugly
2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
3. Works steady - splurges on dinner out occasionally
4. Nods head when I'm talking
5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down
10. Shaves most weekends

What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 52)

1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public
3. Doesn't borrow money too often
4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting
5. Doesn't re-tell the same joke too many times
6. Is in good enough shape to get off the couch on weekends
7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
8. Appreciates a good TV dinner
9. Remembers your name on occasion
10. Shaves some weekends

What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 62)

1. Doesn't scare small children
2. Remembers where bathroom is
3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4. Only snores lightly when asleep
5. Remembers why he's laughing
6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
7. Usually wears some clothes
8. Likes soft foods
9. Remembers where he left his teeth
10. Remembers that it's the weekend

What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 72)

1. Breathing.
2. Doesn't miss the toilet.

I THINK THAT GERALD NOW DESERVES AN AIRING....... with this .....

click to enlarge

Gerald says,  "Oh my Gawd !".      I echo that.

TIME TO GO BACK TO AIRCRAFT...... ....  Carol Gladman (ex-Findonian) brings up the subject of Garage Doors...."Eventually someone thinks of something new!    Impress your neighbours with Amazing Garage Door Covers!

A German firm called "Style Your Garage" - creates posters for garage doors that make it look as if it's actually showing the interior of your garage, and what's in it!

All but guaranteed to make passersby take a second look!"

Choose your garage door..... which one do YOU fancy, Doug?   Gerald?    Tony?

    I've already chosen a couple  for Terry....

     Hope you approve, Terry?

A great idea to freak out the neighbours.

FROM ROGER BUTCHER IN CROYDON, SURREY...."Hi....I’m in the process of looking at my family tree, and have a relative called Philip Butcher from the Brighton area born about 1796. He is listed in the early censuses as a coachman.

And recently I came across a story of yours about “THE TUSSLE BETWEEN RICHARD WATT WALKER AND GEORGE CROSS” which includes a reference to a coachman called Philip Butcher. I was wondering what your sources were for this story, and if this person might have been my relative.

Regards, Roger Butcher, Croydon, Surrey".

Phew!     I haven't a clue, Roger.    This coachman was only briefly connected to a story regarding the Findon area..... it was all an awfully long time ago...some two hundred years back!

FROM LAWRIE IN ANTIGUA...."Hi Valerie !   Taildraggers....Gerald wonders whether there are any tail draggers left at Shoreham and there certainly are.

Only last summer I landed on runway 25 in G-AMNN the tiger moth "Spirit of Pashley" - we had just flown over Cissbury and in fact did a loop there.  Lawrie"

Well, that's enlightening, Lawrie...... "just flown over Cissbury" way!    Us three girls we beginning to think that perhaps "tail draggers" could possibly be dogs with long tails.    I wish we'd know you were up there....... and we could have seen you doing a loop the loop for us.

FROM GERALD..... "Dear Valerie.... Garage Doors....thank you for the choice......number three please, the Bi plane..........Hive awreddy tryed the 'hic' Wyne Barrell desyne.........blurp hic.......cheers !!.....Gerald".

FROM TONY PACKE....."Hi Valerie..Garage Door pics....Hows this for an Ilex way look alike?

http://www.rickartinteriormurals.com/Garage%20Door%20after.jpg

Regards tony"

Oh dear, I can see that we have a clever one here!

FROM DOUG..."Hi Valerie.... Garage Door....That lovely red Travel Air biplane would just suit me.   D"

Yes, but if I let you have that one Doug, I don't want your crafty old fox thinking he can put his muddy paw marks all over the aircraft as he jumps up on to your roof!

DOUG HAS A CHANGE OF HEART, ALMOST....."Errrrrr.....On second thoughts that biplane is a Waco. I'll still have it".

You are allowed two choices, Doug.... but only if you can sport a double garage at your property!

I will give you a few more garage doors tomorrow.... if I have time.... after I've swept the leaves out of my own garage.

FROM MARK ALLEN JOHNSON..... in Nebraska.....(I'm not sure what this is about)....."This is Findon.... What a Myth....Greetings Valerie,

Name's Mark Johnson. I'm from Wood River, Nebraska. In a round about sort of way I stumbled upon your 'This Is Findon' and Paul Kelleway
history researching Mr. Jeremy Noseda, trainer of Awesome act. Enjoyed so it piques my interest a little more reading this.

My question to you is in regards to the photo you mention that's situated in your reading. What a Myth looks to have been a mighty fine
racing horse and, Paul's story is fun as well. I would like to know, if it would be alright if I implemented this picture as an avitar as part
of my screen name on a horse racing forum I am part of. We discuss horse racing and there's also a handicapping contest I participate in there
(About.com) Horse Racing Forum. If it does not "fit" as would be representative of the photo's integrity so that it looks just right I won't use it this way.

At any rate, I would like to know if I could per the appropriate permission and to say that very much enjoyed the reading.

Best regards, -Mark" .

FROM DOUG...."Dear Valerie.... Tailraggers....Tell Gerald thare are still plenty of taildraggers at Shoreham including 2 Harvards, several Stampe biplanes, a Tiger Moth & a couple of Chipmunks. T

he north hangar is home to several variants of the popular Vans homebuilt aircraft plus a Piper Cub & a Christen Eagle among others. Not a nosewheel to be seen among the lot of them. At least this was the situation until the recently announced cutbacks at the airport. I'm not sure how many will stay there if flying hours are restricted during the Summer.

A taildragger is an aeroplane with two mainwheels at the front & a tailwheel at the rear end. A real aeroplane like that lovely red biplane on my new garage door. That will fool those darned foxes don't you think?

Doug

PS. I can provide photos of most of them but I don't want to bore you".

DOUG SAYS....  "Closing those grass runways.    http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=968

AND MORE FROM DOUG...."Future of Shoreham Airport....Things don't look good from where I'm sitting.

http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61714

FROM ROGER MOULDS....."Garage Doors... Your item on garage doors set me thinking. How about this one?"

TOYS FOR BOYS.....FROM PHIL GODDIN IN FINDON.... "Hi Valerie.... Hawker Hart... I know you love to indulge boys and their aircraft.
 
Nice little film of the Hawker Hart.     http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=4484

Phil" 

FROM TONY PACKE....."Hi Valerie....Being only a recent follower of your amazing web site and community I would expect you have already investigated the Francis Frith collection on Findon (12 photo's)    http://www.francisfrith.com/findon,west-sussex/photos/

They can be copied from the site but have the FF logo on them as they'd like you to purchase them.
Would be nice to do a "before and after" photo set on some of them. (Right up Doug's street!) I couldn't believe the recent "country lane" picture, what a difference, and not for the better either.

There is something really nostalgic about old photographs and the absence of motor vehicles. It's as if the times were better then, and in some case they were! I think it helped if you had some money though!

Sorry if this is something you've covered before.

Regards Tony"

Apologies, Doug.... I think he's trying to give you another project!     Don't blame me for this one.

TOYS FOR BOYS.....GARAGE DOORS.... here are some more of those German ones... I wonder if we will ever seen anything like this in Findon?

A TALL ORDER.....  "Findon in East Sussex.....I am emailing you from Niagara Falls Ontario Canada.......never been here, have a look www.niagarafalls.ca

My Mother was born in Findon in 1921 moved to Glynde the following couple of years....at the age of 2 she and three siblings moved to Canada......my Mother never returned until this June I am bring her back to her birthplace. My Grandmother was very connected to her church St Mary the Virgin in Glynde......I would very much like to attend a service at this church in June.

I had the opportunity to do so some 8 years ago, found it very uplifting. Would it be possible to supply me with any information regarding services in June......

Would you be able to tell me if there is a Bed & Breakfast in Glynde?

By the way my Mother was born at 134 Mill Cottages in Findon, wondering if this still exists.

Valerie, any information would surely be appreciated.

Kind regards, Gary Patterson"

A SUPER PARROT IN CANBERRA...."Hi Valerie....This beautiful king parrot was sprung in the back garden this afternoon when
I got home from work stealing the fujoas.

But it doesn't matter we don't use them and I let the possums , the parrots and the currawongs eat them.

Regards...Terry Walls"

Wow!    What a smasher!   He's a real little darling, Terry.    He can come and visit my bird table any time he likes.

TODAY'S TEST QUESTION (Friday).... what are Suzie and Katie searching for.... and what are they on the trail of.....)

...... it is my first native wild daffodils coming out in bloom at Warren Hill at nearby Washington Common.....

Katie says "Shall I pose here?"  

Suzie joins her sister and says "We'll keep an eye on them....". 

.....there'll be a good display in the wood soon".

TERRY SAYS...."We actually celebrate Commonwealth Day here in Canberra - as they do in London MH Elizabeth does it there at a Multifaith celebration. I am sure everyone in Findon would have been celebrating as well.

We do one here as well. I am on the Committee.

It includes not only a Multifaith celebration but also a multicultural celebration.

A couple of pics........      Terry"

Sorry to disappoint you, Terry.... but I didn't even know it was Commonwealth Day.... it wasn't mentioned on the news..... and I don't think anyone in Findon was celebrating the fact.    It's a different world!  

FROM JOHN J. FISHER IN WORTHING....."Hi Valerie, There is very nice picture of Zoe Goddard in this week's Herald.

Attached to this email is a photo of a Findon Dramatic Club production from the 1950s. Title long since forgotten.

Although I'm in the picture I was only standing in for an absentee at the dress rehearsal.

John.

click to enlarge

L-R John Spiers, Zoe Goddard, Joan (Turk) Sutherland ,Barbara Coleman ,Ernest May, George Goddard, John Fisher
Sam ? Bob Willis."

Yes, I recall some of those names, John.   I recall the name of John Spiers......and Barbara Coleman was still living in my road when I first moved here..... and George Goddard can still be seen today sitting on the wall outside his house.

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