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Newdigate Village Fun Day - Sunday 28th July.
2024. Report by Tony
Russell
Our lovely village has a long history, many many years ago
it was an area of dense woodland and forest where the local earls and
landowners hunted deer. In later years the forests were thinned out to
provide timber for house and ship building and land for agriculture.
During 1564 the land was divided between the various tenants, but crops
failed due to the heavy wet Wealden clay subsoil that provided little
aeration and made tilling by hand or horse very difficult. As a result of
this the small farms in Newdigate turned to pasturage rather than
cultivation, and cattle and hogs were raised for market. The 1881 census
recorded only 448 residents of 76 families, today over 800 people live
here. We have a beautiful old medieval church, St Peter's which is grade
two listed and features a wooden spire.
Having given you all a bit of a history lesson, let's look at what and why
the village fun day was all about. The show was held on the Brocus, a
large playing field in the village that was used for cattle grazing in
days gone by and now, most interestingly owned by all the Newdigate
villagers. A number of shows have been held here including Dog Show, local
produce stalls, bouncy castles and classic car display, where are are
going for urgently needed funds for replacement of the ancient oak shingles on our
church spire. Money raised at the Fun Day goes a long way to help this
important project.
Our SVVS display was well attended with 10 cars on show. Mike with his
Morris 10/4, John with his lovely classic VW Microbus, Chris and Lyn
aboard their superb Austin 12/4, Roger and Lynette in the mighty 1971
Dodge Charger, Steve with his excellent 1933 MG J2, Diana and friend in
the Morgan 4/4, Arthur came in his MGB V8, the P R Officer's 1937 Ford 7w Tourer
managed the ½ mile journey from home, Chris displayed his super 1972
Triumph Stag, and Graham bought his wonderful and fascinating 1946 Auster
Mark V aeroplane fuselage. Hopefully we may have a new and very welcome
new member who lives locally and displayed his superb Alvis Speed 25
drophead coupe.
Your PR Officer helped raise a few quid for the church spire by becoming
part of a human fruit machine…don't ask! Altogether a very successful
day with hot sunshine and lots to see and do. Big thanks to our member
Graham Capel who did an excellent job of organising and marshalling the
classic and vintage car displays.
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