The Schorne Well

The History of John Schorne's Well

My well is seven centuries old.

The water, still, is clear and cold.

I found it in a year of drought

When Marston folk, to drink, had nowt.

It happened, as I chanced to pass,

I struck my staff upon the grass

Clear water gushed out at my feet!

"A miracle! And on our street,"

Cried all the thirsty people there.

They drank, then offered up a prayer.

Pilgrims came from far and near

To cure their ills with water clear,

And worship at my Holy shrine,

Up in St. Mary's Church so fine.

The well, at over five feet square,

Was always open to the air.

Over the top a building stood

Built with stone and bricks and wood.

Four stone steps inside descending

For drawing water without bending.

(All these features in plan marked out,

By your feet, or thereabout.)

The depth was almost seven feet -

Oh, what a pity it was so deep!

In July 1861 disaster came

When Catherine Watson (also known as Jane)

Slipped and fell into the water

Watched in horror by her daughter.

Little Sarah, aged just three,

Called for her sister desperately.

Her older sister came running round

Sadly to find their mother drowned.

"Accidental drowning," Mr Parrott, the coroner, said,

"For safety's sake, secure that shed."

A barred door and lock were at once applied

And a pump placed on the north-east side.

The building fell into disrepair

And by 1900 was no longer there.

Only the pump still stood with pride

A stone (with ring) marked the well beside.

In '70 and '90 the well was improved

But its former glory remained subdued.

Everything stayed as before

Until one day in 2004.

In October work did start

Using all the craftsman's art.

With axe and adze and English oak

A frame was made (it was bespoke).

Tudor bricks with lime and sand,

Old peg tiles, cut by hand,

Old York stone and blue brick

(Some were thin and some were thick.)

For the pump, a new oak case,

Re-erected in centre place.

A stone trough, re-cycled, too,

Holds the water pumped by you.

In 2005 the work was done

Relief was felt by everyone.

My historic well, was, in simple way,

Opened and blessed on 21st May.

Now my well is, as of old,

A thing of beauty to behold

If my image you would see

Look behind you, for there I be.

I hold a boot beneath my arm

Into which, the Devil, I did charm.

And now that he's imprisoned there

Peace dwells in the village and elsewhere.

Alison Finnemore

The well prior to start of restoration in 2004

Mark Gurney, who was very much involved with laying the concrete for the Well-head, built the narrow brick wall, laid the York flagstones and granite setts, and gave the project much helpful advice.

27th March 2005
Michael Finnemore works out the final details of the project.

This record of the history of the Well can be found on the back of the pump.

There was a service of blessing and re-dedication of the renovated Schorne Well on the 21st May 2005, and the next three pictures were taken at that service.

Michael Finnemore introduces the service,
then Laura and Sophie Chamberlain read the poem.

Reverend Andy Bell, the Vicar of Schorne, makes the Invocation,
then the children of North Marston School lead the songs and prayers.

Sally Matthews draws the first water.
If you fill the trough with water, the devil will rise from a boot
(as shown in the picture insert).

Vince Lilley with the figure of John Schorne in an alcove at Schorne Well,
and the Schorne Well signs that he expertly made.