OVERLOOK REVISITED

ANTIQUES

Photoshoot

Having hung up our cameras, model release forms and boxes of props for a year-and-a-half, it was with great excitement that a mob of popinjays descended on the grounds of Academy Residences, an educational institution housed in All Saints Pastoral Centre, a sprawling manse with a curious history on the outskirts of St Albans, Hertfordshire

Photography: Soulstealer Photography Photo editing on facing page: Louise McCormack

MODELS: LOUISE MCCORMACK, KAREN BELL, TOM CARRADINE, CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE, MR. B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER, JOHN HARRISON, BEATA RYDZ, SADIE THE RED SETTER

SPECIAL THANKS TO JOHN HARRISON, MANAGER OF WWW.ACADEMYRESIDENCES.CO.UK, FOR GRANTING US ACCESS TO THE SITE

esigned by Leonard Stokes in the Gothic

DRevival style in 1899 and built in 1901, All Saints was originally a convent for the Anglican Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor. The nuns moved into the building in 1901 and made it their mother home, for the care of the aged, the infirm and orphans. By 1908, 40 orphans were accommodated on the site.

Construction on an adjoining chapel in the Gothic style was commenced in 1927, designed by Sir Ninian Comper, with work completed by his son Sebastian between 1960 and 1964. The chapel included a Harrison and Harrison organ below a magnificent stained glass rose window. Also added to the building was an entire new wing in the art deco style in 1929.

The Sisters occupied the entire building until 1973, when increased upkeep costs forced them to sell. All Saints Pastoral Centre was acquired by the Catholic Diocese of Westminster and converted into a conference centre and retreat, but by 2011 it had fallen into disrepair and was sold to property developers in 2013, when it was turned into a residential language academy for foreign students by Academy Residences, who still manage it.

A further addition was created in 2019 by rock band Towers of London, who converted one of the many extensions into a louche rock ‘n’ roll pad, from where they are currently plotting their comeback via a soon-to-be-released documentary. The Chap assembled our finest team of chaps and chapettes, armed with vast trunks of clothing, to capture the pastoral magic of All Saints, and also to celebrate the reopening of the country by strutting about the place, frightening the horses and desecrating the chapel.

Inspired by the vast, deserted, probably haunted building, and fortuitously having a pair of identical twins in our number, it would have been a dereliction of duty not to refer to The Shining in at least one photograph. A hush went over the rather noisy troops when we discovered that Stanley Kubrick had conceived his film of Stephen King’s novel but a stone’s throw away in Childwickbury Manor, where the director is also buried. n

TOM WEARS:

‘Alfie’ Irish Linen Newsboy Cap by Failsworth Rowing Blazer: Vintage, Hornets of Kensington Shirt/collar: Darcy Clothing Flannels: Simon James Cathcart All other items: vintage

CHARLIE WEARS:

1920s or early 30s vintage lightweight wool striped suit Vintage blue waistcoat by Swan & Edgar Straw boater by Laird of London Vintage Liberty floral tie

TOM WEARS:

Vintage plus fours tweed suit from Victory Vintage Shirt/collar: Darcy Clothing Vintage waistcoat by Dunn and Co Boots by Simon James Cathcart

MR. B WEARS:

Burgundy Velvet Siren Suit by Caroline Lindop Burgundy trilby by Paul Smith

LOUISE AND KAREN WEAR: Vintage 1950s pink and blue dresses

MR. B WEARS:

Burgundy Velvet Siren Suit by Caroline Lindop Burgundy trilby by Paul Smith

CHARLIE WEARS:

1920s or early 30s vintage lightweight wool striped suit Vintage blue waistcoat by Swan & Edgar Straw boater by Laird of London Vintage Liberty floral tie