The Portal - Australia edition April 2014 | Page 13

THE P RTAL

April 2014

Page 9

the USAAF Eighth Air Force. An air raid shelter still
Walking round the Hall, one is constantly aware that
remains in the grounds, and on the top floor war-time the floor boards, the wall panelling and the brickwork,
graffiti still adorn the walls. Sawston Hall features in date from a time when it was very dangerous to be a
Michael Winner’s 1971 film “The Nightcomers”.
Catholic. How many anxious people feared for their
lives at Sawston Hall? How many sleepless nights were
restored in true Tudor style
spent wondering if the Persuviants would arrive to
In 1982 the Huddleston family sold the hall and it search the house? How many clandestine celebrations
became a language school. In 2010 Stephen Coates of Mass took place here? How many priests hid in the
bought the Hall and set about restoring both it and priest hole, only too aware that the Persuviants were
the gardens in true Tudor style. It is a wonderful searching the house and that any noise, any false move
achievement of love and care.
would result in total disaster?

centre of Jesuit missionary activity

The Chapel at Sawston Hall is a particularly special
As we walked round the Hall and gardens, Stephen place. Mass has been said here in modern times, and
told me some of the Hall’s history. At the height who can count the number of prayers offered here for
of the struggle between Reformation and Counter the conversion of England? P \