Unknown storiescaptured on film

LITTLE-KNOWN facts about West Sussex are coming to a hall near you.

Philip Davidson, of Crossbush, has made a film about the county, and it is due to be screen across the Herald and Gazette area, including Shoreham, Arundel and Storrington.

The film maker, 59, said: “It is partly historic, partly modern, it goes between then and now. It is a bit of a social commentary, and there is quite a lot of information about West Sussex. There is a bit of the archeology of the South Downs, and there are aerial shots.”

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Getting those shots had been a story in itself, he added, as he had become airsick while up in the light aircraft.

During the filming, which took about six weeks and was carried out this time next year, Philip managed to uncover titbits of information which he thinks will be news to many viewers. One such discovery was that Slindon was the “home of cricket”.

“It is such a pretty little village. I was talking to the rector, and he told me the rules of cricket had been set down there,” he said.

Upon looking into the information, he found the Duke of Richmond, of Goodwood, and Richard Newland, of the village, had played a large part in the development of the sport.

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Philip also discovered that Fontwell was named as such after a man named Alfred Day moved to the hamlet of Font to built a house, and found a well in his garden.

“I like finding out unknown stories,” he said.

Among the various events featured in the film, Worthing Carnival and Arundel Festival feature quite heavily he said, but he added people would have to go along to a screening to find out what DWS stood for.

The first screening will be tomorrow, at Burpham Village Hall, at 7.30pm, before DWS moves to the Shoreham Centre, Pond Road, on September 14, at 7.30pm.

Next month, Philip will take his project to Arundel Town Hall, at 7.30pm on October 3, and Storrington Village Hall, at 3.30pm on October 6.

Tickets to the events, which include a short talk by Philip, are free, but need to be booked in advance. For more information, go to www.dayfilm.com