Meeting for Sufferings: Swarthmoor Hall

No firm decision on the future of Swarthmoor Hall

Meeting for Sufferings were informed, very clearly, that no firm decision on the future of Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria had been made.  The Swarthmoor Hall Project Group told representatives that they were in the early stages of a process to discern the best way forward. This process would explore possible options, including partnerships, that might secure the future of the Hall. A potential partner was the National Trust. While contact had been made, and a discussion organised for early December, it was only one option and an ‘open mind’ was being kept at this early stage.

Friends were told that many issues had to be confronted and resolved before moving forward with any plan – from the impact a change might have on Quaker identity and work at Swarthmoor to the outreach potential. In regard to the tentative discussions with the National Trust, Friends were informed: ‘if we do not get the right answers we may not wish to continue. The National Trust, also, might not wish to continue’.

Part of the ‘terms of reference’ of the Project Group, it was stressed, were to ‘consult widely with local Friends’. Swarthmoor Hall is owned by BYM. It comes under the administrative umbrella of Quaker Life.

A Cumbrian Friend reflected the deep concern felt by some local Quakers over the future of Swarthmoor. His concern, he explained, was a ‘cry from the heart’ from local Friends who felt a close personal association with the Hall and who had devoted a lot of their time to it on a voluntary basis. They looked forward to being involved in a meaningful way in the process of consultation and decision-making. He said ‘at least we have heard today that we will be heard face to face’.

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