FRIENDS OF STANSTED HALL
INCORPORATING THE COLLEGE SUPPORTERS FUND

Arthur Findlay, the previous owner of Stansted Hall, was always interested in Spiritualism, and during his lifetime he researched and wrote several books on the subject.

Mrs Annie Gertrude Findlay, Arthur’s wife, died in 1963, and it was after this in 1964, that Arthur Findlay decided to give the Hall to the Spiritualists’ National Union. The arrangement being that Mr Findlay would keep three rooms for his private use during his lifetime, and the rest of the Hall was to be converted into a college and used by many for the study and advancement of Spiritualism. Sadly soon after, Arthur Findlay was taken ill, and later passed to the higher life while in hospital.

During the next few years many ideas were put forward and much discussion took place and decisions were made, the bedrooms were still their original large size and considerable amounts of money needed to be raised to convert the Hall into a more suitable smaller roomed College. The kitchen also had to be turned from a family kitchen to a kitchen that could provide meals for many.

The building conversion started and huge debts were incurred which had to be paid, the Hall at this time was advertised as a venue for Conferences, Seminars and Dinner Functions etc. The income from these activities helped, but it was not enough. Still more money was needed.

It was at this time in 1970 that a group of friends, Gordon Higginson, Wilfred Watts, Eric Hatton, Betty Wakeling, Eva French, May Brown, Bertha Frank, Eileen Roberts and Mr and Mrs Wandless, along with many other devoted friends of the Hall, formed the “Friends of Stansted Hall” to help raise the much needed cash. “The Friends of Stansted Hall” is a registered charity.

The AIMS and OBJECTIVES are to promote education in psychic science and in particular to assist in the establishment and maintenance of a college for the advancement of psychic science at Stansted Hall, established on 13th June 1970, in memory of J. Arthur Findlay. (Inaugural Constitutional Meeting adopted on 22nd February 1970 – registration under Charities Act 1960)

The Trustees who form the Committee of Friends of Stansted Hall at the present moment are:-

The Committee of the Arthur Findlay College in recognition of the work done by Friends of Stansted Hall gave dispensation for a group of people resident within the local area to hold weekly meetings in the Pioneer Centre. A portion of these meetings is dedicated to training SNU healers.

The group known as the Friends of Stansted Hall Fellowship meet on a Thursday evening at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the evening activities, including healing.

All members of ‘Friends’ are eligible to claim a discount of 10% on most items in the College Shop.

‘Friends’ memorabilia on sale both in the Shop, Open Week, SNU Conference or direct from our Publicity Officer as above, include Sweat Shirts, Polo Shirts, Coasters, Key Rings, Car Stickers, Pens, Book Markers, Lapel Badges, tea towels, Quickslits, Clipboards (various), pictures, (framed and unframed)

Direct sales of memorabilia are also available through e-mail or telephone number as below.

Since the formation of the “Friends” we have donated monies to:

Achievements during recent years include: £15,000 towards the building of the Pioneer Centre (picture left, also see main photo album for inside view), replacing the roof on the Colonnade (£5,000) and more recently the lining of the colonnaide roof (£1,100), Gordon Higginson Room upstairs,Chairs for the refurbishment of the Library (picture below), Half of the chairs when the Sanctuary was refurbished in 2003, (the other half were donated by JV Trust), Widescreen TV and Video Recorder for the large lounge (Green Room) £3,000 towards the recent replacement of Beds, Carpets and Bedroom furniture on the 2nd floor.

In 2005 Friends of Stansted Hall were offered the endowment of the Blue Room, the offer was accepted and "Friends" financed the complete refurbishment: decoration, carpet, curtains and Arthur Findlay's favourite chair and settee to be re-upholstered. Overall £6,000 in total was spent on this project.

On a lesser scale we have provided tape recorders, white boards and flip charts, overhead projectors, and we are in the process of providing OHP trolleys for each of the main lecture rooms.

We rely on donations, bequests, membership fees and people supporting our on-going twice- yearly Grand Draw and we thank them for their generosity most sincerely.

To become a member please contact the Membership Secretary who will send you an application form. Tel: 01362 858256 or email: joan.chapman@ukonline.co.uk

Subscription for New “Friends”