"Longevitaris" or The Shelfanger Spa Water

On 7th August: 1842 born to Sir Henry and Lady Farrington, a son Anthony Charles. The event was in Devon, but destiny decreed that Anthony would find his way to Diss and play a remarkable part in the life of Shelfanger.

Records of 1811 established that he was a Doctor in Diss and wrote to the 'Diss Express' reassuring residents that the smallpox epidemic was only 'mild'.

In 1878 he saw an advertisement in the 'Express' that Hill House, Shelfanger, was to let. He rented the property and in due course found from Bloomfield's 'History of Norfolk', about the iron and mineral properties in the waters beneath the house.

Further investigation revealed the waters perfect for curing dyspeptic, gout and anaemic conditions, and he spent much time launching a company to exploit the 'find', even to the extent of soliciting the patronage of the Prince of Wales by asking for some 'Royal distinction'.

This was refused but Anthony pressed on and established a well, fountains and a bathing place. Around the turn of the century there were 'picturesque stalls' and tennis.

Public Conveyances in the form of 'Mr. Trudgill's Waggonette'. 'Mr.Ward's Omnibus' and 'Mr. Filby's Spring Van' transported passengers from Eye via Brome and Scole, Diss and New Buckenham via the Dambridge Mill Crossings and Hawe Corner for the convenience of passengers from Banham and Old Buckenham. For the comfort of visitors travelling by train the Doctor provided seats along the roads from Diss station to the spa as his hopes for a branch line into Shelfanger were never to materialise!

Although many thousands of bottles of Shelfanger spa water were sent over England and France and hundreds flocked to bathe, financial troubles beset the Doctor and he hid himself from his creditors by locking himself in the cupboard under the stairs and boring an eyehole to spy their departure.

Eventually Dr Farrington sold the property and moved to Suffolk where he immersed himself in poetic thoughts.

Today the renamed 'Spa House' has been beautifully restored and there is still evidence of the good Doctor's influence in the garden.

©2001 V Day

Location

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All Saints Church

The church stands on the main road from Diss to Winfarthing. Domesday Book mentions that Shelfanger had a church; but the first known incumbent was one Eudo, Rector in 1272, the last incumbent of Shelfanger as a single benefice was the Rev. A. B. Broadbent, who died in 1962. He and his widow left a sum of money for the restoration of the church, which was carried out in 1965-66.

The present church is simple but beautiful. The porch is of timber construction of the 16th century, but there is a Holy Water Stoup to the right of the 14th century North doorway. The tower is early 14th century work; it contains 6 bells; 5 were retuned in 1974 and hung on a new steel frame; the 6th bell was presented at the same tune, and is inscribed 'In memory of Frederick and Louise Roper'.

The font dates from the second half of the 14th century. It is decorated with various motifs. The letters A.B. on the font refer to Adam Bosville, a patron of the Church in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Most of the windows in the Nave are perpendicular. At one time the church was partly thatched, but a restoration in 1865 removed the thatch as well as some box-pews, a Singer's Gallery and a 3-decker pulpit.

The Adoration of the Magi Mural
This beautiful mural was discovered during the restoration 1 965-66, a workman removing plaster sensed that there was a hollow recess on the right of the altar, and the plaster was carefully removed, uncovering this lovely painting. It was restored by Miss Eve Baker.

The Chancel seems to have been built at about 1300, but some part of it at least must have been earlier. During the 1965-66 restoration, a workman removing plaster discovered recesses on either side of the altar; in the recess on the south side was found a most beautiful mural painting of 'The Adoration of the Magi' dating from 1275 or before. This painting is one of the glories of a very lovely little church, which is lovingly cared for.

The East Window of 1876 is in memory of Albert Smith, who founded the school. Another window, installed in 1899, is in memory of the Rev. Clement Blakelock.

The churchyard is tended by local helpers, and a survey of it was made in 1982 by members of the Womens' Institute. The oldest grave to be found was dated 1790 but there were others which may have been older, not possible to read

A Church Room was erected in 1912 in Rectory Road. This was used for Sunday School and for a Young Mens' Club and other organisations. Gradually however, it became less used and was eventually sold.

Older village people remember Sunday School treats and outings, including horse and carriage trips to Diss, Wingfield Castle, Old Buckenham Hall and East Harling. On another occasion a service was held in Church, then all the children followed the Diss Town Band to the Rectory garden for sports. A village Sunday School continued until 1977; now the Sunday School at Winfarthing is attended by Shelfanger children.

The Rectory was sold in 1962, when the parish ceased to have its own rector.

©1984 members of Shelfanger WI
see also
our Church Today section
to see panoramas of the church click here
to learn more about the church bells - http://www.norwich-diocese-ringers.org.uk/southern/shelfang.htm

Cross Keys

The Kelly's Directory for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk, 1883, pp. 734-746 shows the following entry relating to PUBLIC HOUSES including Hotels, Inns & Taverns:

Cross Keys, James Bean, Shelfanger, Diss
with grateful acknowledgement to E.C.Apling

Location

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Rectory Researched

At the turn of the century Rev. W.R. Harrison lived in the Rectory and he was an extremely scholarly gent. He wrote a very detailed history of Shelfanger, which is very interesting but unfortunately he says very little about the house in which he lived. I have found a few snippets though:- On August 31st 1906 he writes "Went today to see Mr. Ellis at Palgrave. He told me he is about 93 years of age. Perfectly in possession of all his faculties. Lives with Miss Barker, niece to him and his wife. He and his wife lived in Shelfanger Rectory for 15 years, and he farmed the glebeland. After a time Mr Morris came to live with them, they occupied the kitchen and the dining room. There was no door opposite the staircase, (that is, what is now the middle and then the only staircase.) The door of the dining room that now leads into the front passage, then led straight out into the garden………"

He describes some land given to the Parish by Roger Dade on January 15th 1596. It mentions "land of the Rectory of Shelfanger, on the part of the South. This is bellrope Close (The name of a field). It is commonly said to have been given to the Rectory on condition of the Rector finding bellropes."

He says there was "probably a previous parsonage house on the site of the present Rectory".

William Bagley was made Rector of Shelfanger in 1618. WRH says "I am inclined to believe he lived here as curate in charge before he became Rector. The old part of the present Rectory may well date back to those days."

Later he again says " The old part of the present Rectory may well be 300 years old". This was in 1910, so it would now be roughly 390 years old. Rev. Harrison was a brilliant man, so, one can put the date of some parts of the Old Rectory as approx 1600, built on the site of a previous parsonage.

©2000 Nicholas Darsley

School

Owing to the fact that the log books of Shelfanger School, now closed, are in the County Library and cannot be studied for 50 years, the more recent happenings in the school have to be gathered from those who personally remember them. We can, however, gain knowledge of its early days from records in the County Library.

The school was founded in 1865 at the instance of Rev. Albert Smith, the vicar. There were places for 80 children, taught by one teacher, Miss Maud Samways; the average attendance in 1896 was 42. By 1904, numbers had risen to 100, with an average attendance of 80, and now, two teachers. Between 1912 and 125 numbers were 120, and there were never more than three teachers; during the 1st World War there was only one teacher.

Reports of the Diocesan Inspectors were generally good - manners, friendliness, discipline and tone were always praised.

Mr. Roper remembers three Head Teachers at the school - Mr. Bixby, Mr. Odell and Miss Plato. There were no specialist teachers, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays the Rector would come in to take Scripture, and on Fridays to instruct in the Catechism. Children who attended Chapel could be taken out of these lessons.

There was no playing field at this time. The boys played football and cricket on the glebe land behind the neighbouring houses; girls had games on the playground.

Singing lessons were held on Friday afternoons, usually taken by the Head Teacher. During the incumbency of Mr. Paton, however, he, being a fine musician, came to teach singing, and trained the children for concerts. Mr. Roper remembers a musical play called 'Princess Chrysanthemum', accompanied by an orchestra from Diss.

Mr. Roper also remembers dancing classes - being taught the valeta and barn dances. A dance was held once a fortnight, open to all, in the school; these dances were greatly enjoyed. Also enjoyed were outings to Yarmouth, in open charabancs.

When Mr. Roper left school, at the age of 14, he was presented by Miss Plato with 2/6d - a considerable sum then!

Mr. Eric Peake, who left Shelfanger School in 1948, was among the first group of pupils who went to Diss, to spend their last school year there, at the age of 14. His main recollections of Shelfanger were of reading, writing, etc. -no games, except rounders on the meadow behind the school. There were no Christmas concerts, but he remembers making paper chains!

A group of Shelfanger pupils about 10 years later (including Mr. Peake's sisters) went to Diss at the age of 11, to the Secondary School. They remember Christmas concerts and parties, Carols in the Church, Harvest Festivals in the Church and summer outings - particularly one to Regent's Park Zoo.

1980 School Christmas party ,the adults standing from left to right-Mrs Roper, Mrs Hurst, Mrs Gardiner, Mrs Monarch (teacher), Mrs Peverit (dinner lady), Mr Bowden (head master), Mrs Shaw (helper). Only small number of children hence the closing down of the school at a later date.

For memories of the last few years of the school, we applied to Mrs. Monarch, who taught at the school for 11 years, leaving in 1982. She had worked with various head-teachers and other teachers. When she went to the school, there were 50 pupils, but by the time she left, there were only 15.

She remembers that the boys played football matches against Winfarthing, but that the girls had no games teams. Harvest services and Christmas Carols in the church were held regularly; also trips to the seaside and to Colchester Zoo, accompanied by parents and other people from the village.

Chief among her memories are the musical activities, prepared by Mrs. R. Forfar - participation in the Diss Musical Festivals and Christmas concerts and pantomimes, including Au Baba, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Rumpelstiltskin. Remembered also were the splendid Christmas dinners provided annually by the governors.

A small school - but a very happy one.

There used to be many sheep in Shelfanger. Mr. S. Baker of Strete Farm owned a flock, and Mr. Spurdens, who lived opposite the farm, cared for them. By day, the boys took them round Druids Lane, High London Lane and the Common, to feed, bringing them back at night. Traffic wouldn't allow this today!

©1984 members of Shelfanger WI

Location

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The Crown Public House

The Kelly's Directory for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk, 1883, pp. 734-746 shows the following entry relating to PUBLIC HOUSES including Hotels, Inns & Taverns:

Crown, Joseph King Fisher, Shelfanger, Diss
with grateful acknowledgement to E.C.Apling
Present owner is Ray Peacock

Location

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The Post Office

The Post Office was run from the nurseries by Mr. and Mrs. George Welton from 1939 to 1965, when they retired. The Post Office was situated in the "shop" where Mr. William Welton, senior, had previously kept his guns and seeds.

©1984 members of Shelfanger WI

Charities Of Roger Dade & Sarah Franklin

Roger Dade bequeathed 3 acres of land in 1596, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Shelfanger. The Land, known as the Old Town Land, is situated adjacent to the present allotments, opposite the Methodist Chapel on the Winfarthing Road.

Miss Sarah Franklin bequeathed in her will dated 1703, £100 to buy land for the benefit of the poor. She asked that the income be spent to provide bread for the poor of the parish "every Lord's Day in the year for ever". Two pieces of land were bought in 1737. The Freeboard Land, of 2 acres, (situated opposite Hill Cottages, Heywood Road) was bought for £37. The New Town Land, of 4 acres (situated as shown on the map below) was bought for £63.

In 1889 the Charity Commissioners established a scheme for the two charities, under the title of The Shelfanger Charities, and the giving of bread each Sunday ceased.

Five trustees now administer the charities, the rent is collected in November from villagers who have allotments and Messrs Boult and Morley who farm the remainder. The trustees then decide how the income should be distributed.

©1984 members of Shelfanger WI

Domesday

The Domesday book was commissioned in December 1085 by William the Conquerer, who invaded England in 1066. The first draft was completed in August 1086 and contained records for 13,418 settlements.

Shelfanger's entry is included within the Little Domesday, which also contains records for Essex, Suffolk and the rest of Norfolk. They were probably not included in the main collection, Great Domesday, because King William died before all the records had been given to the principal scribe.

Modern place names in bold, Domesday extracts in red, beginning with old place name, followed by modern comment in normal type:

Shelfanger Scelnangra / Scelua(n)gra(ua): King's land, in the custody of Godric; Hervey and Modgifu, a free woman, from Count Alan; St. Edmund's; Edric the falconer. Church. Moated sites nearby; church with 13th century frescoes.

Thanks to www.domesdaybook.co.uk