24 members of the Malcolm Saville Society met together on Zoom today for the first ‘Saville Café’ event.

Intended to provide an opportunity for any member interested in a particular topic to meet up virtually, to listen to an initial presentation, to ask questions, to put forward views for discussion, or just to listen to others, the first session met with a very positive response and led to some interesting questions and contributions. For some, it was their first experience of joining a Society event and they were particularly welcome.

Mark O’Hanlon, author and joint founder of the Society, was the first presenter. He had prepared an interesting, illustrated presentation which focused on Malcolm and Dorothy Saville’s first visit to Shropshire as far back as 1937, six years before the publication of Mystery  at Witchend,  and on its impact on his subsequent writings. Mark had worked on what were originally very small sized ‘holiday snaps’, taken by the Savilles during their trip, and included them in his presentation. They were fascinating!

Mark told the Zoom participants that the couple had left their four young children back at home with their nanny and so were able to relax and enjoy five different aspects of their trip: Cwm Head House (where they were staying), the Marshbrook Show, Stokesay Castle, Ludlow and the Long Mynd. Mark’s photos added much to the context of the trip, with some great views of the area. There was interest in the kind of 1937 photographic equipment that enabled us to see details such as a very distant horse and foal, and even Dorothy Saville’s shoes! Mark referred to the possibility of some ‘then and now’ photos in the future, mentioning that Chris Foulkes, of Hamperley (‘Ingles’) Farm had already taken an up to date photo showing how the view from Cwm Head House had changed in the last 88 years.

Mark finished by referring to estate agent’s details for Cwm Head House, which is currently for sale - suggesting that any member with the odd £925,000 to spare might like to consider it!

The MSS Committee is planning to make the recording of the event available for all members soon - look out for details of how to access it!