Old Hall Community

Seeing friends is what it's all about.

Old Hall is a very interesting building, opposite East Bergholt church & with its own unique ecclesiastical history. It's one that has gone through some remarkably contrasting changes of use over the centuries. Formerly a Manor House built in the 14th Century, when the privileged gentry moved out, Benedictine nuns moved in 1856. St. Mary's Abbey was established in the village for decades without locals really being aware of the insular Catholic community, because it was a self-sufficient, silent, closed order. This all changed into national scandal in 1909, due to the so-called, 'The Escaped Nun', Margaret Mary Moult. Although her stranger than fiction story has mostly been forgotten nowadays, on the main platform at Manningtree Station, it's still recalled on a signboard, complete with period photos. Although the ecclesiastical use for the building ceased decades ago, a nuns' cemetery remains on-site at Old Hall, now a secluded corner of the vast grounds. After disuse, since the Sisters vacated, the building was selected in 1940 by the authorities, desperate for places to billet troops in during WW2. It was during this period of occupancy that Old Hall developed a reputation for being haunted by former nuns. When the troops moved out in 1945, Old Hall fell into decline again & yet again was revived for ecclesiastical purpose. A group of monks moved into Old Hall, the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. Unlike the prim convent community, the monks integrated with the locals, even participating in the football & cricket club matches. Nowadays the residents are all part of a shifting community founded in 1974, all sharing an active concern with green issues. Although often referred to as a 'commune', Old Hall is actually a collective of similarly minded, alternative living residents. The principal of grow your own is practiced on-site, the 65 acres of surrounding land being utilised as a smallholding. So the ethic of self-sufficiency, first introduced by the nuns, still continues at Old Hall into the 21st Century. Organic vegetables & flowers are sold from the gate outside the tall red-brick wall, throughout the growing season...

Really great people.Great place they produce organic food and self sufficient.I'd love to do that

I paid a visit to a resident of some 30 years. Her accommodation was beautiful and full of many antique items, a fantastic library and some of her own art work adorning the walls. A won chat alongside a coffee and biscuits made this a very enjoyable experience

Met a lot of the residents always friendly

Went to their open garden day.

Beautiful place, lovely people x

Superb alternative event

Went with local Horticultural Group had a Guided Tour of the Gardens and allotment Very interesting. Had drinks and nibbles after A great evening

wonderful example of how we can live together and help one another in harmony with the Earth