Continuing the habit of a lifetime - house detective work!

(Photo credit: Onny Cottage residential home website)

'Onny Cottage and its people' - on the trail of a care home's history

'During the sixty odd years that we had together' writes author and resident, Diano Coldicott, my husband and I lived in three interesting old houses. I was always keen to find out about each of them, both their likely development over the centuries and who had lived in them before us. Then in my nineties I came to live in Onny Cottage in Shropshire, another interesting old house.'

'At first, I was just pleased to find myself in a small and friendly care home near my daughter, with decisions to make about arranging my room. But one’s interests run deep and within a short time I was asking questions about the house itself and its history. Very little was apparently known, apart from the fact that it belonged to the Earl of Plymouth’s estate.'

'Soon afterwards a friend sent me an extract from the 1846 Tithe map of the village, showing the fields that were then part of the property when it had been a small farm. From that moment, I was determined to find out more, although all my previous experience had been in Hampshire.

Driving was a thing of the past but I was fortunate on two fronts: our Activities Helper was happy to drive me to Ludlow Library nearby and once there I discovered it was the best sort of local library, with an excellent reference section on local history. That was particularly important as the county record office was shut during 2025. 

Over the next few months, I was able to find out who had owned the local manor, to which it belonged, from its monastic days onwards. Thanks to an architect friend with much experience of old properties, I was able to understand the likely development of the house from its origins as a farmhouse in late Tudor times, to its extension in the 1830s when it became recognisable as the house that it is today.

From 1841 the national census returns, which are available on line, listed all those staying in the house on a particular spring night every ten years. These census returns continue to be available until 1921, giving me names which could then be traced online at the Ancestry website. Later memories of those who lived in the house were supplied by two elderly neighbours who were most helpful.'

Once I had written up as much as I could discover, my daughter and I approached a local printer whose work had impressed us. They were a fortunate choice and I was equally grateful to be given sponsorship to cover the printing costs.' 

'We only had 100 copies printed but that was about right and various people seem to have enjoyed the booklet that emerged.'

Diana Coldicott

Diana Coldicott

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Anna Chaplain Caroline Culley describes how she has come to know Diana:

'I was introduced to Diana by Debbie Ducille (Anna Chaplaincy's Ministry Lead). Diana has been a life long supporter of BRF and it came to Debbie’s attention that Diana lived just outside Ludlow, Shropshire, where I am an Anna Chaplain. 

I started by visiting Diana and having some interesting discussions over Bible readings and prayers.  She is so supportive of the Anna Chaplaincy movement. Some months later Diana asked if I would bring Communion to the residents of Onny Cottage each month, which I now do. 

The Activities Helper plays the keyboard and usually four of five of the eight residents attend the services. Instead of a talk, we try to discuss some of themes arising from the Bible reading. We have some interesting discussions, including one time when we discussed what happens when we die.

If it's nice enough in the summer we sit outside on the patio under sun parasols. I receive so much every time I visit there.'

'Onny Cottage is a very special place, with a very special atmosphere and I love going there.'

Caroline Culley