New Centre for the SNU

The Arthur Findlay Learning and Conference Centre in Stafford

The main purpose of our movement as described in our first object is to promote and disseminate Spiritualism. The acquisition of the newly named Arthur Findlay Centre in Stafford provides an exciting opportunity for the Spiritualists' National Union to establish a permanent base in the Midlands and beyond for the further promotion and dissemination of Spiritualism. Members have asked for some time whether high quality courses similar to those run at the Arthur Findlay College could be run elsewhere in the country. Our new centre plans to deliver a range of courses, at the same high standards as at the College, at an affordable price, helping us to deliver and progress our key objects.


The Centre provides a beautiful assembly hall with seating for 180, a large training/function room which can cater for up to 120 , a training room with bar area, a recently refurbished café/ reception area, a kitchen , 4 healing/ interview/committee rooms, a shop, an office and 3 sets of toilets. Adjacent to the assembly hall where Stafford Spiritualist Church has been based since 1999, there is an additional kitchen, library, mediums lounge, 3 healing rooms and separate entrance foyer.

The geographic location of the Centre provides easy access to large centres of population in Birmingham and the Black Country, Stafford, Stoke on Trent, Shropshire, Manchester, Derby, Lichfield etc., ideally situated close to Junction 14 of the M6, on the mainline railway route which runs from Edinburgh to Exeter and 30 miles away from Birmingham airport.

The centre is to be developed as a centre of learning, providing access to high quality and varied learning opportunities. The Arthur Findlay College will have strong links to the centre. Stafford Spiritualist Church already has established a presence in the area, holding awareness and development courses and 5 day courses. A programme of educational and development opportunities is to be developed including week long, 3 day and weekend courses. Members are invited to identify which subjects they would welcome further learning and training opportunities in.

Residential accommodation will be externally provided. Within 1 m of the centre there is a wide range of suitable accommodation. A package with preferential rates is to be negotiated with one of the local hotels. It is envisaged that the centre will provide a cheaper alternative to Arthur Findlay College. Non- residential students will also be welcome. The centre will also provide a venue for meetings and day conferences for the general public and local community. Already MAC and the Healing committee have arranged meetings at Stafford. Other SNU committees are invited to consider which other meetings could take place at Stafford, therefore releasing beds at Arthur Findlay College. The centre will also be used by the District Council potentially providing some economies of scale with photocopying etc.

The centre will also be developed as a centre for healing. Healing is currently available on Monday afternoon and Wednesday evening, provided by the Church. The healing rooms will also be available for use by complementary therapists.

A strong website presence will be developed with the option to book courses online. Regular open days will be held with different themes. An opening event is to be held after refurbishment is carried out in June. A management committee has been established as a sub-committee of the NEC, chaired by Finance Director Julia Almond. Representation includes the Church, NEC, DC and the General Manager of the AFC.

In addition the centre provides an assured future for Stafford Spiritualist Church. The Church will therefore pay an annual sum towards running costs and repairs. We are grateful to Church members who at the recent AGM have agreed to contribute £55,000 towards initial repairs and refurbishment.

The development of Spiritualist courses to further disseminate and educate is to be the primary function of this new centre for the SNU. This will help us to deliver our core objects.