An atmospheric evening at Soulton Hall for the SSPA and the Salopian Club

On a foggy moonlit night Old Salopians and current parents enjoyed a private tour of Soulton Hall near Wem.

Soulton is one of the most fascinating country houses in England. Within its walls are architectural puzzles, spiritual mysteries and links to some of the most important events and characters in British history. 

The house was built and owned by ('Old') Sir Rowland Hill in 1556.  Sir Rowland was involved in the petitions to Edward VI to establish Shrewsbury School and the complicated financing of the early institution. It is also possible the first Headmaster Thomas Ashton was at Soulton during the Marian persecutions. Hill was an elite merchant and a  key figure in the Tudor court. He was Lord Mayor of London and major patron of the arts. He published the Geneva Bible and was known to William Shakespeare as a cousin and muse. 

The house's current owner Tim Ashton (S 200-2005) showed the group items from the time of Sir Rowland including his chair and talked through just some of its associations including strong links to Shakespeare's Play 'As You Like It' . The source book for the play was written by Thomas Lodge Jr whose boyhood is linked to Soulton. 

There are indications that the choreography of the famous dance of Harmony at the end of the play has survived in the Soulton papers and on its dancing pavement - a realisation Tim came to partly due to the remarkable teaching of Michael Schutzer-Weissmann while a boy at Shrewsbury. 

Guests were also able to view a stunning installation and exhibition by Shropshire artist Jacob Chandler inspired by the famous dance, as well as enjoying canapes and fizz and the opportunity to socialise with the wider Salopian community.

Thank you very much to Tim Ashton and the SSPA for a wonderful, unique evening.