Page 14 - Oundle Life July 2024

The Lynnes occupied the manor through
to Georgian times, with the death of another George Lynne in 1758, killed in a duel near Apethorpe, ushering in the end of the family’s tenure of Southwick.
media at Southwick, following his expulsion from the Soviet Union – a story showcased among the Hall’s exhibitions. Others include “Southwick at War” and the Caprons’ descent
In the 1840s, empty and neglected,
the manor came into possession of its
current owners, the Capron family,
whose estate was at Stoke Doyle. A
renowned lawyer with clients close
to the Crown, George Capron I was
also a key figure behind much of
Oundle’s growth in Victorian times, including the railway station and the Smith Brewery. The Hall was restored and the grounds transformed with the addition of a stable block, a tropical water garden and a home farm – a significant landmark during World War II when Land Girls, POWs and evacuees worked the properties and surrounding fields.
The present owner of Southwick Hall is Christopher Capron, formerly head of Current Affairs for the BBC. In that capacity, in 1976, Capron allowed Russian dissident writer Solzhenitsyn to take refuge from the world’s
The Hall was restored and the grounds transformed
from the early Quakers and social reformers, including Elizabeth Fry.
Although the Hall is currently closed for restoration and cataloguing, it
will be open to the public again soon hosting arts, literary and mindfulness events throughout the year. Also part of the estate (and home to the World
Conker Championship), the nearby Shuckburgh Arms has meanwhile reopened following its own refurbishment.
southwickhall.co.uk
Stuart Barker is a professional writer and author. He has a keen interest in local history and likes nothing better than riding round Northants visiting historical sites on his motorcycle.
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