Schorne Well |
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North Marston |
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Buckinghamshire |
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Schorne Well before 2005 |
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Schorne Well Michael Finnemore working out the final details of the project |
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27th March 2005 |
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A Service of Blessing and Re-dedication of Schorne Well |
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21st May 2005 |
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Welcome and Introduction - Michael Finnemore |
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Poem - Read by Laura and Sophie Chamberlain |
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The Invocation - Revd Andy Bell, Vicar of Schorne |
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Songs and Prayers - The children of North Marston School |
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Drawing of the First Water - Sally Matthews |
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If you fill the trough with water, the devil will rise from a boot, (as shown in picture insert). |
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Vince Lilley with the figure of John Schorne in an alcove at Schorne Well and the Schorne Well signs that he expertly made. |
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The History of John Schorne's Well |
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My well is seven centuries old. |
The building fell into disrepair |
The water, still, is clear and cold. |
And by 1900 was no longer there. |
I found it in a year of drought |
Only the pump still stood with pride |
When Marston folk, to drink, had nowt. |
A stone (with ring) marked the well beside. |
It happened, as I chanced to pass, |
In '70 and '90 the well was improved |
I struck my staff upon the grass |
But its former glory remained subdued. |
Clear water gushed out at my feet! |
Everything stayed as before |
"A miracle! And on our street," |
Until one day in 2004. |
Cried all the thirsty people there. |
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They drank, then offered up a prayer. |
In October work did start |
Using all the craftsman's art. |
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Pilgrims came from far and near |
With axe and adze and English oak |
To cure their ills with water clear, |
A frame was made (it was bespoke). |
And worship at my Holy shrine, |
Tudor bricks with lime and sand, |
Up in St. Mary's Church so fine. |
Old peg tiles, cut by hand, |
Old York stone and blue brick |
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The well, at over five feet square, |
(Some were thin and some were thick.) |
Was always open to the air. |
For the pump, a new oak case, |
Over the top a building stood |
Re-erected in centre place. |
Built with stone and bricks and wood. |
A stone trough, re-cycled, too, |
Four stone steps inside descending |
Holds the water pumped by you. |
For drawing water without bending. |
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(All these features in plan marked out, |
In 2005 the work was done |
By your feet, or thereabout.) |
Relief was felt by everyone. |
The depth was almost seven feet - |
My historic well, was, in simple way, |
Oh, what a pity it was so deep! |
Opened and blessed on 21st May. |
Now my well is, as of old, |
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In July 1861 disaster came |
A thing of beauty to behold |
When Catherine Watson (also known as Jane) |
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Slipped and fell into the water |
If my image you would see |
Watched in horror by her daughter. |
Look behind you, for there I be. |
Little Sarah, aged just three, |
I hold a boot beneath my arm |
Called for her sister desperately. |
Into which, the Devil, I did charm. |
Her older sister came running round |
And now that he's imprisoned there |
Sadly to find their mother drowned. |
Peace dwells in the village and elsewhere. |
"Accidental drowning," Mr Parrott, the coroner, said, |
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"For safety's sake, secure that shed." |
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A barred door and lock were at once applied |
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And a pump placed on the north-east side. |
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Alison Finnemore |
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Detail of the restoration |
This certificate is awarded to North Marston Parish Council for the Restoration of Schorne Lane Well |
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North Marston Parish Council - Restoration of Schorne Lane Well Started Oct 2004, Mike Finnemore designed; part restored and initially financed this historic village feature. The well restoration was initiated after a visit to the village by Japanese tourists, who on seeing a rather uninspiring well, promptly put away their cameras and got back on the tour bus! The Parish Council, lead by a “Restoration Committee” is recognised for the careful re-introduction of an old well, long forgotten by many within the community. Materials included recycled stone, tiles, etc., from the village and the restoration is to feature as part of “Aylesbury Vale’s Design Awards 2OO5” SAVE is keen to recognise not only the work for the Parish, within its local community as historically important but in using local recycled materials, the restoration becomes an environmentally sensitive addition to the village. |
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There are three ways for spelling Shorne |
Sir John Schorne |
Sir John Schorn |
Sir John Shorne |
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