| As a youth Herbert is known to have had a camera, and perhaps took this picture c1880 of the Hall and his family in the garden. Herbert married Caroline Thornton, of Kempston, at Christmas 1874. He is known to have taken photographs from the spire at St Mary's Church, and also of Rushden Cottage c1861.
Herbert later lived at Weekley, where he died in 1900. Herbert's sister Evelyn was living here as companion with her mother Mary Ann, and his two daughters, Violet and Edith, were now married. His son Hugh stayed at the Hall until it was sold in 1929.
Mr. Arthur Hugh Sartoris, J.P., of Weekley, married Miss Clara Eva Bridges in 1913. He had come back to live at the hall and remained here until it was sold in 1929.
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Three Generations of the Family in April 1897
Hollis, Pixie the pony, Clara & Hugh Sartoris, Mary Ann Sartoris holding
baby Joe Ripley, Violet Ripley and Evelyn Sartoris.
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In 1930 the Hall and grounds were bought by the town council, and after a short time as a museum, the Hall fell into dereliction by the 1950s. The Park had been much used for meeting friends, or family walks to admire the gardens, and by the the various bands for concerts. The town Carnival moved here from Spencer Park, and now hosts various town events.
After a campaign led by the Amenities Society, specially formed the task, the Hall was eventually saved. After much restoration, it is now a wedding venue, and partly used as the Town Council's offices. Some rooms are used by local groups, or for private parties.
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