Who We Are
The Trust
Penhurst Retreat Centre Charitable Trust was formed in l996 by members of the extended Broomhall family, two of whom had served overseas as missionaries. The vision to found an ecumenical Christian retreat centre at Penhurst was inspired by the words in 2 Corinthians "for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God".
Trustees:
- Chair: Martin Lee, Executive Director of Global Connections
- Vice-chair: Marion Myers, BCP Registered Psychotherapist. .
- Josephine Clarke
- David Greenslade, F.C.A.
- Alison Marchant
- Daphne Hughes
The Vision
The Trust seeks to address the needs of people who have been deeply affected by their experiences of humanitarian and mission work. It was recognised that there are many long term workers from the UK and overseas in situations of deprivation and spiritual need who may well be suffering from stress and exhaustion and feeling in need of extra personal support.
The Trust also recognises the enormous challenges facing many people in the UK today and it seeks to offer hospitality and a warm welcome to any individuals or small groups who understand and respect the Christian ethos of the retreat centre.
The centre aims to provide a quiet and contemplative environment, giving opportunity for reflection, recreation and renewal.
The Staff
- Wardens: Richard and Storm Hann
- Relief Warden: Angela
- Cook: Janet
- Gardener: Gary
- Housekeeper: Viv
- Administration Assistant: Linda
Volunteers
We have a small band of regular volunteers including a retired Librarian who organises our small library, a young mum who helps out in the office and a volunteer gardener and a former mission partner who helps with office and domestic tasks. We welcome any voluntary support – on a regular or one-off basis.
If you would like to offer your support in the garden, with maintenance tasks, with domestic duties or in the office we’d love to hear from you. For short stays we are sometimes able to offer free accommodation in exchange for the work you do.
The Patrons
- Rev Dr John Stott
Preacher, evangelist and distinguished author
- Mrs Marlis Bickersteth
Co-founder, with her late husband, of the Ashburnham Conference and Prayer Centre
- Rt. Rev Simon Barrington-Ward
Retired Bishop of Coventry who led the Church Missionary Society for many years
- Dr James Hudson Taylor III
Great grandson of the founder of the CIM, now OMF, where he was General Director; now President of Medical Services International
- Dr Esther de Waal
Anglican laywoman and author of several books on Benedictine and Celtic spirituality
- Rt. Rev Ken Barham
Formerly Priest-in-Charge of Ashburnham and Penhurst and Bishop of the Diocese of Cyangugu, Rwanda
- Sister Sharon Peters, P.C.J.
Pioneered the Olde House Retreat at Southam, Warks. Widely used by all denominations; involved internationally in the Retreat Ministry
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The History
The House
It is likely that there has been a dwelling and a church at Penhurst since Saxon days and the site of the original house was enclosed by a moat. Penhurst "Head of the Wood" is recorded in the Domesday book: "In Penehurst, which Osborn holds of the Earl of Eu, the Abbot has half a hide, and there are two villeins with two ploughs and one acre of meadow and wood for two hogs".
The present house was built in 1640 by William Relf, a local ironmaster. The iron industry had flourished in the Sussex Weald from the end of the fifteenth century and became the industrial heartland of Elizabethan England. The Manor House contains two fine examples of cast iron fire backs made at nearby Ashburnham forge, the final remnant of the Wealden iron industry which closed in 1809. One of the fire back designs is believed to be based on Psalm 104 'The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens'.
The Broomhall Family
Paul and Rosalind Broomhall bought the house from John Bickersteth, founder of the Ashburnham Christian Trust in l956. Paul established the Friends of Ashburnham and Penhurst Churches and both the church and the house were restored at that time. A Thanksgiving for the restoration of the church of St. Michael the Archangel, Penhurst was held on Sunday October 16th l960, a year before Paul and Rosalind finally moved into The Manor House.
Born in China and India respectively, Paul and Rosalind did much to support overseas missionary work, travelling to India and Nepal five times between l950 and l974 on behalf of Interserve. Their travels involved riding and walking over the Himalayan mountains often at great personal cost and danger - to visit and encourage isolated missionaries. For some 35 years The Manor House was an oasis of warm hospitality - for family gatherings, for the refreshment of overseas workers on furlough, for the homeless, for church members and for casual visitors from many parts of the world. Until Paul's death in l995 a prayer meeting was held monthly to support the many people who had gone to work overseas from the parish. The Trust was formed in l996 by members of the extended Broomhall family, two of whom had served overseas as mission partners. The vision to found a Christian retreat centre at Penhurst was inspired by the words in 2 Corinthians "for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God".
Paul Broomhall was the great nephew of James Hudson Taylor and the house contains many fascinating artefacts associated with the history of mission, including original portraits of Amelia Hudson Taylor and Benjamin Broomhall, first Secretary of the CIM and brother in law to James Hudson Taylor, the 19th century pioneer missionary to China.
"In this place I will give peace"
This text is also inscribed over the door of the late Mary Cundy's house in the mountain village of Paimey, Nepal. Mary, a medical social worker, was one of the many Interserve partners who was a frequent visitor to the Manor House. During her lifetime she encouraged the Trustees to persevere in their vision.
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