Memories of Shimpling

Local historian, Dennis Cross from Diss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a different village in every issue. This time, we take a walk down memory lane in Shimpling.

This 1963 postcard was taken on the Eagle Field and shows Dan Dye, last of the small local farmers, with a load of straw bales being sorted by a 13-year-old Dennis Cross - who helped on the farm. A house on Hall Lane, formerly owned by Mrs Lockwood, being repainted — around 1950.

A 1915 view of the Hall Lane crossroads looking toward Dickleburgh. The vintage car on the right is in front of the old village dog pound and the road to the church and Hall Farm. The 19th century double cottage on the left was pulled down in the 1970s, and the hornbeam tree there marks the corner of the former Hall Green.

Taken outside the blacksmith’s shop in 1910, this picture shows Robert Ling attending to a horse shoe for a local farmer. His son Herbert took over the family business, retiring in 1964. No trace of the building remains; only the ash tree on the left marks the spot.

This 19 960 postcard show two cottages called Bridles, formerly Beldams. It was built in the 1650s and the steep pitch of the roof, now pantiles, was designed for thatch. At that time, the house overlooked 20 acres of c common land. Taken outside St George’s Church in 1910, the building is a small flint and freestone structure with a chapel, nave, north porch and west-facing Norman tower, with a round base containing four bells. The people shown have been decorating the church for Sunday service. The rector was Jeffrey Watson Willard. St George’s ywas completely restored in 1987 and retains all its charm.

Dan Dye outside his cider works in 1964, with sacks of apples and cider barrels. Also pictured is his neighbour Jack Napthen. The building still exists in Hall Lane and is now a garden store.

A 1912 postcard showing Arthur Devereux ( (far left) ) outside Low Farm, with a group of people probably just returned from Sunday worship. The population at this time was 157.

The Norfolk Postcard Club

meets regularly in Trowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. Meetings have currently been suspended. Dennis is also the author of several local history books that can be purchased by contacting him direct.

If readers have any local postcards of Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with Dennis after 7pm on 01379 651897