Justine Irwin (Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society)
You may be aware that there is a small ‘village’ within Shepperton, perhaps you have spotted the Duppa’s Village sign (seen from Russell Road opposite Bishop Duppa’s Park). You may have also been aware the sign was showing its age and people could not even see the name.
Some of you eagle eyed people may have spotted that the sign has now been re-painted. Thanks to the residents of Duppa’s Village the sign is once again nice and clear for all to see. A special thank-you to Marie, Steve and Sue from Mitre Close for their hard work to achieve this and to the residents for contrib-uting to the cost. We hope to have a plaque reveal when we can for the residents, a good excuse for a drink to celebrate.
So what is Duppa’s Village and why is it called that?
Duppa’s Village is located opposite Bishop Duppa’s Park and consists of Mitre Close, Cassocks Square and Clerics Walk, the hous-es within the village were built in the late 80s and were originally on land that historically was part of Duppa’s Farm. We are lucky that we have been able to keep some character in Duppa’s Village with lovely style street lights.
The Bishop of Winchester, Brian Duppa (1589-1662) was an English Bishop, Chaplain to the Royal family and advisor to Charles I of England, he actually settled down in later life in Richmond Surrey where he also died aged 73 in March 1662.
Bishop Duppa owned the waterside meadows adjoining Halliford Manor (The Old Manor House). Bishop Duppa, besides being the chaplain to Charles I from 1634, was also tutor to his sons. Duppa was made Bishop of Chichester in 1638. In 1660, on the return from exile of Charles II of England to restore the monarchy, Duppa was made Bishop of Winchester and Lord Almoner.
Apart from Bishop Duppa’s Park and Dup-pa’s Village in Shepperton there is a Duppa’s Hill in Waddon, Croydon. There are 2 sets of almshouses named after him; these were erected with his funds or endowed with the income from his lands, and these are Duppa Almshouses, Pembridge, Herefordshire, and Bishop Duppa’s Almshouses, Richmond (now owned by Richmond Charities).
So a brief little history behind the sign and Duppas Village. I am lucky to live in Duppas Village and hope that this article sheds some light on it for people who had stopped while it was being painted and maybe wondered why it is called Duppa’s Village.