Our People

Deacon Paul O’Connor

Chairperson of the Harvington Hall Management Committee

Deacon Paul took over reins as chair of the management committee in December 2019. Paul’s passion for Harvington is evident and has brought a new lease of life to the Hall, ensuring that Harvington is a tourist attraction like no other of its kind, and has a key role in telling a history that is often forgotten… Catholic persecution. His interest has also made sure the Hall is at the heart of the local community, a place where people can enjoy its beautiful surroundings

As well as being chair of the Hall’s Management Committee, Deacon Paul is the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s head of planning, the diocese’s health and safety coordinator. He is responsible for administering the faculty system for the approval of works to all diocesan churches, is the head of regeneration, and has responsibility in two Worcester parishes.

Deacon Paul has a wealth of managerial and heritage experience, as he was head of planning at Worcester City Council for many years, where his responsibilities included heritage, conservation and archaeology.

Phil Downing

Hall and Programmes Manager

Phil became the Hall manager in March 2020 and has fully embraced the role. Phil’s love for Tudor history started as a young boy. After his first visit to Harvington at the age of 17, he felt a pull towards the Hall and it became his greatest passion. After 5 years of volunteering at the Hall, at the age of 31, Phil's dream of becoming manager came true.

Phil wears many hats and has taken on full management of day-to-day activity at the Hall as well as volunteer management, and enhanced the Hall’s online presence through social media.

Phil’s passion for Harvington is infectious, and before becoming manager he could often be found taking guided tours around Harvington in full Elizabethan costume.

Phil’s wish for visitors is that they have a memorable day out, and contribute to Harvington’s future reputation as one of the UK’s ‘must-visit’ historic houses.

Volunteers

As a charity, Harvington relies on the hard work and dedication of its volunteers. They are the heartbeat of the Hall and without them Harvington wouldn’t be the success that it is.

Our volunteers range from all ages and backgrounds, but they all have one main thing in common: a real love and passion for the Hall.

Volunteering opportunities are endless. Our gardeners keep the Halls’ flower beds looking colourful and tidy all year round; our shop and front of house volunteers love to welcome visitors with a smile; and our tour guides take visitors on a thrilling journey back to the darker side of the Elizabethan period.

Harvington is extremely lucky to have its own in-house costumed re-enactment group called the ‘Harvington Household’. The Household gives an invaluable experience with its vast knowledge and expertise, ensuring our visitors are treated to exceptional living history events.

Management Committee

As part of the Hall’s radical re-structuring programme a brand new committee was formed in 2021

The management committee consists of 11 individuals who have expertise in a variety of areas such as heritage, conservation management, business planning, fundraising, and volunteer management to name but a few.

The role of this committee is to preserve Harvington Hall for future generations, safeguard the Hall’s mission and visions, and apply them to the charitable purposes of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

This is an exciting time for the Hall, building on our successes and continuing to be a place that people want to visit again and again.

Restoration Trust

For many years the Harvington Hall restoration trust has run alongside the Hall as a separate charity, promoting the public benefit of maintenance, improvement, conservation and preservation at Harvington.

The Hall is a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument, and it holds so many rare and original Elizabethan features that need conserving for the future enjoyment of future generations.

To help fund our future you can donate by clicking ‘Donate’.

The Sticky Fig Catering Co.

At the Malt House Coffee Shop

Harvington is a proud partner of The Sticky Fig Catering Co.

A local family run business established in 2014, The Sticky Fig Co. offers creative, innovative and bespoke food for any occasion. The company delivers anything from wedding catering to on-set food for TV and film production.

The Sticky Fig Catering Co. have sympathetically converted the Malt House into a small coffee shop, serving artisan coffee, sandwiches and homemade cakes, as well as freshly baked breads and a collection of individually packed picnics, ploughman’s lunches and cream teas.

The Malt House coffee shop and the Hall’s gardens are perfect places to relax and enjoy the Hall’s beautiful surroundings.

Find out more at the Malt House website, or follow on Facebook and Instagram