Hayes conference centre celebrates centenary

It was once the scene of a great escape by German prisoners during World War II. Today, many people know The Hayes Christian Conference Centre as a place they’d happily spend a bit longer in.

The centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, is celebrating its centenary today with a service of thanksgiving joined by former hostage and special envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite.

It was first built as a private house in the 1860s by Derbyshire entrepreneur, Fitzherbert, the man behind the iconic St Pancras train station in London.

Opened as a Christian conference centre in 1911, it was later requisitioned as a major PoW camp during World War II.

The escape of Franz von Werra and four other German prisoners through a tunnel they dug under the parameter fence is legendary and featured extensively in the 1950s war movie, ‘The One That Got Away.’

All five men were re-captured but von Werra escaped again from a prison camp in Canada and became the only PoW in the War to escape from a camp and make it all the way back to Germany.

Other notable PoWs at The Hayes were Bert Trautmann, the Manchester City goalkeeper who famously broke his neck in three places during the 1956 FA Cup Final at Wembley, and renowned theologian, Jurgen Moltmann, who reportedly returned to the centre after the war to address a clergy conference.

The tunnel dug by the escapees still exists, although none of the 40,000 guests who stay at the centre each year are in any hurry to use it.

“Our PoWs may have been unwilling ‘guests’ but visit any community in the UK and you’ll find people who have enjoyed a time of refreshment here,” said Brian Cupples, general manager of The Hayes. “We have constantly developed to meet the changing needs of our visitors – a key to our success.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, sent his good wishes for the centenary celebration.

He said: “The Hayes has been a valuable resource for quiet reflection and recharging of batteries. I hope it will continue to play its important role in Christian life.”