Mary Simmonds (née Welton) had many other memories of Shelfanger in the early 1900's. These included her Aunt who ran a laundry, taking her in the pony cart to large houses and farms in the surrounding villages when collecting and delivering the laundry.
She remembered too seeing the Royal Mail trotting through the village every evening on the run from Diss to Norwich; visits made to Miss Chapman, the dressmaker, for fittings; the annual Sunday School treats and processions, with banners, marching round the village behind the Diss or Burston Band, and of the large swing boat (still in existence) made by her father and used on these occasions.
There was also an elderly villager who, once a week, pushed a barrow into Diss to shop for the villagers. For this four mile journey and service he charged 2d per item.
In her last year at school Mary remembered walking into Diss for cookery lessons every week.
When scarlet fever hit the village her sisters were isolated in their bedroom by hanging carbolic soaked sheets across the bedroom doors.
©1984 members of Shelfanger WI
