Phil Downing & Paul Hodgetts- Chambers of Faith – The intriguing world of Priest Hides - Sun 28th July 4.00pm
Join Phil Downing, the manager of Harvington Hall, and Paul Hodgetts, priest hole specialists, as they unravel the mysteries of these secret hiding places. Discover why priest holes were created and how they were ingeniously used by those seeking refuge. Phil and Paul have recently immersed themselves in a nationwide exploration, uncovering fascinating insights into these historical spaces. Don’t miss this captivating presentation, as Paul shares the new edition of his father’s book, “Secret Hiding Places,” enriched with the new discoveries from their recent investigations.
Phil Downing is the manager of Harvington Hall, and his love for history is truly contagious. Known for his engaging talks at historical societies, where he captivates audiences, Phil’s main area of expertise lies in the intriguing realm of priest holes. His dedication is evident after spending 36hrs inside a priest hole for charity. In addition to speaking engagements, Phil regularly features on podcasts. Most recently he appeared on “The Gunpowder Plot: The Countdown to Treason” (Channel 5) providing insights of the significance of priest holes.
Paul Hodgetts has been an occasional volunteer at Harvington since the 1980s. His father, Michael, was Historical Director here until 2020 and renowned within the world of recusant history as – among other things – the authority on priest hides. Following Michael's death in 2022, Paul is working to make Michael's research as widely available as possible, including republishing the book "Secret Hiding Places" and creating a website.
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Join Phil Downing, the manager of Harvington Hall, and Paul Hodgetts, priest hole specialists, as they unravel the mysteries of these secret hiding places. Discover why priest holes were created and how they were ingeniously used by those seeking refuge. Phil and Paul have recently immersed themselves in a nationwide exploration, uncovering fascinating insights into these historical spaces. Don’t miss this captivating presentation, as Paul shares the new edition of his father’s book, “Secret Hiding Places,” enriched with the new discoveries from their recent investigations.
Phil Downing is the manager of Harvington Hall, and his love for history is truly contagious. Known for his engaging talks at historical societies, where he captivates audiences, Phil’s main area of expertise lies in the intriguing realm of priest holes. His dedication is evident after spending 36hrs inside a priest hole for charity. In addition to speaking engagements, Phil regularly features on podcasts. Most recently he appeared on “The Gunpowder Plot: The Countdown to Treason” (Channel 5) providing insights of the significance of priest holes.
Paul Hodgetts has been an occasional volunteer at Harvington since the 1980s. His father, Michael, was Historical Director here until 2020 and renowned within the world of recusant history as – among other things – the authority on priest hides. Following Michael's death in 2022, Paul is working to make Michael's research as widely available as possible, including republishing the book "Secret Hiding Places" and creating a website.
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