THE Latin inscription on the ornate fireplace in the lounge – “Deus Nobis Haec Otia Fecit” – says it all.

It is commonly translated as “God has given to us this rest”.

And the idea of rest, retreat and reflection is what has been at the heart of Shepherds Dene for generations.

The grand retreat house, which sits in more than 20 acres of gardens and woodland just above the village of Riding Mill, has just marked a significant anniversary.

For, on July 14, 1945, the former owners of the estate wrote a letter to the then Bishop of Newcastle, offering it as a gift to the Church of England.

Seventy years on and the intended use of the impressive Edwardian country house, which was built in the Arts and Crafts style, continues to be honoured every day.

Major Geoffrey Stirling Newall was the man who penned the letter, offering not just the estate, but to cover all conveyancing costs as well an annual maintenance to the tune of £200 for the first seven years.

He wrote: “I have for some time been considering, with my wife, how best, for the welfare of others, this house might be used to serve a lasting and useful purpose.

“I now write to offer it to you, as a gift in trust in perpetuity, as a diocesan house, and we have especially in mind the benefit it might be to the clergy as a house of retreat.”

His letter adds that he hoped to offer vacant possession by spring 1946 after he and his wife, Ethel Nest Newall, had moved into Stelling Hall near Newton.

The reply came just four days later, on July 18, when the Bishop, the Rt Rev. Noel Hudson, expressed his gratitude to the couple.

“I find it difficult to write at all, because it is quite impossible to put in writing my reactions in face of your splendidly generous offer,” he wrote.

“Luckily I know that neither you nor Nest would wish me to be effusive about it.

“You must forgive me though if I say how greatly moved I was to read your offer and, as soon as may be, I will put it before a little gathering of selected diocesan leaders.”

Letters, kept in archives at the house, show the continued exchanges between the major and the bishop, who were clearly firm friends, until ownership of the estate was legally transferred to the dioceses of Newcastle and Durham on June 29, 1946.

“I pictured hard-working church workers able to come out here to gain their rest in peaceful surroundings,” the major wrote in some of the other correspondence.

“We can only hope that those who come to Shepherds Dene for knowledge will find it and those who come for rest will go away refreshed,” he added.

There is also reference to the bishop visiting the house for tea and admiring the view; a visit which could well have planted the original seed of the gift idea.

“It’s wonderful to read these letters and imagine the conversations and visits to the house that would have taken place back then,” said Jane Easterby, who was appointed warden at Shepherds Dene in January 2014.

“The idea of them enjoying tea together here is exactly what we offer now when someone enquires about using the house.

“We invite them to come and have tea with us so they can have a look around.

“That hospitality is really what this place has always been about.”

Built in 1906 as a family home by Dudley Marjoribanks, who was a manager at W.G. Armstrong and Company, the structure was built with materials from Slaley quarry.

The estate was originally named Shepherds Bank but became Shepherds Dene when it was bought by Mr and Mrs Stirling Newall in 1921.

During their stewardship it served as a home for young evacuees during the Second World War, as well as a place of recovery for injured servicemen.

After an appeal for donations of fixtures and fittings by the diocese, the house was officially opened as a Christian retreat on October 12, 1946 with a service of thanksgiving and a party.

Since then the 18-bedroom house, which also has a two-bedroom coach house cottage in the grounds, has been extended and renovated on numerous occasions.

Bedrooms have been refurbished, en-suite bathrooms added and disabled access introduced in the most recent £400,000 overhaul under the direction of former warden George Hepburn.

Many original features remain, including the staircase and wooden panelling in the dining room, but these days, every available space on the walls is given over to work by local artists in regular exhibitions.

Outside, there’s no sign now of the huge air raid shelter, which was once a lingering reminder of the war.

The former acetylene gas store room, which once powered the house, has been converted into a prayer house for quiet contemplation.

A labyrinth, based on the famous one at Chartres Cathedral in France, woodland walks and a walled garden and orchard can also be found just a stone’s throw away from the house.

“Even now the use continues to be predominantly by the diocese, with about 75 per cent of bookings from church groups and the other 25 per cent coming from community use,” explained Jane.

“I feel very strongly that we always keep in mind who were are and what we have to offer here.”

To mark 70 years since Shepherds Dene was offered as a gift, a special mid-summer celebration evening was held last Thursday, which included a service of thanksgiving led by the Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev. Frank White.

It was followed by a special dinner, concert in the chapel and fund-raising auction.

“I felt it was important to mark such a significant day in the history of Shepherds Dene and we hope to continue the celebrations next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the doors opening,” Jane said.

As part of next year’s plans, she is hoping to collect memories, photographs and other information from anyone who has had a connection with Shepherds Dene over the years.

Anyone who can help is asked to email Jane at jane@shepherdsdene.co.uk

“The wonderful thing about the house is that it belongs to everyone who has been here over the years,” she added.

“It is people’s love of it which has kept it going.”