Sibford Scene Archive

In the same way that King William conferred lands in the Gower and Burdrop to his faithful knights Grantmesnil and Corbucion, the Manor and land in Sibford Ferris or Little Sibford was given to Henri de Ferrières. Henri was born in Ferrières-St-Hilaire, Eure, Normandy, and is thought to have fought at the BaBle of HasIngs. Following the conquest, King William I conferred extensive lands, including a Manor and land in Sibford Ferris. It is thought that the Ferris Manor may only have been used as a hunIng lodge and not as a residence for the Ferrières family. Ownership passed from Henri de Ferrières through his sons until 1138 when Henri’s third son, Robert, was created Earl of Derby. By now the family name had changed to de Ferrers and Robert confirmed the grant of the Ferris manor to the Knights Templar. Following the suppression of the Templars by the Pope in 1312, all land in their ownership was passed to the Hospitallers and subsequently reverted to the Crown in 1540. Together with the Hospitaller’s lands in Sibford Gower (which did not include the Gower and Burdrop Manor and lands), the combined manors were sold in 1542 to Sir Thomas Pope. The estate passed through many hands until in 1684 it was sold to Ralph Sheldon of Bewley (Worcs) in whose family it remained unIl 1901 when Henry James Sheldon died without direct heirs and the manorial rights appear to have lapsed.

The Ferris Manor House retains part of the core of the old 16th/17th century house. This house was owned by the Walford family from 1657 and they carried out major building works from 1666. During the 18th century they had become wealthy farmers and landowners and had the building restyled in the Queen Ann fashion, which was very much in vogue with the aristocracy. It was sold to the Harris family, who were Quakers, in 1797. Joseph Harris sold the house to the Society of Friends for the sum of £1200 ‘for the purposes of a school’ in 1842. It remained part of Sibford School unIl 2001 when it was sold for private residenIal development.

Maureen Hicks

2024 is an auspicious year for the people of Sibford, as it marks the return to our village after 10 years of the Tibetan Tashi Lhunpo Monks who live in exile in their monastery in India. Once again they will be sharing their unique culture, including the creation and ritual destruction of a sand mandala, and interactive workshops.

At the Saturday evening performance, the eight monks will evoke the atmosphere of sacred Tibet from the mesmerising chant of Buddhist texts to swirling costumed masked dances accompanied by ancient musical instruments – horns made from human leg bones, skull-drums, cymbals, bells and the great dungchen (long horns). Don’t miss this opportunity to experience an ancient, endangered culture.

There will be another anniversary celebration in Sibford on Saturday. Thirty years after the filming of the renowned documentary Escape from Tibet, the producers and film crew will be reunited in Sibford with the two brothers, now British citizens, whose dangerous journey from the Roof of the World is told in the film. Using film clips and photographs, they will tell the story of how the film was made.

Friday 18th October
4.30pm Dedication Ceremony of the sand mandala (Small Hall)

Saturday 19th October
10am Morning Prayers

11am Hands-on Workshop: making a sand mandala, printing prayer flags
£5 per person

2.30pm Performance Workshop: an introduction to the musical instruments, dance moves and hand gestures used in the evening performance
£5 per person

4pm Tea

4.30pm ‘Escape from Tibet’ 30 Years On: how the film was made

5.30pm Curry Supper
£10 per person

7.30pm From the Roof of The World performance of masked dancers and sacred chants
Adult £16, Child £5
Doors open from 7pm

Sunday 20th October
10.45am Ceremony of Destruction of the sand mandala (Small Hall and procession to the Sib)

The net proceeds of the weekend will help support the monks, young and old, who study and live in Tashi Lhunpo, benefitting the whole community.