Just what is going on within the upper echelons of the Spiritualists’ National Union? A year ago, I broke the shock news that Duncan Gascoyne, chairman of the Arthur Findlay College (Stansted Hall), had resigned, without explanation, after 12 years in that post. For most of that time he was also the SNU president.
Many people concluded that he had issues with Andrew Hadley, an ordinary director (right), who immediately stepped into the chairman’s role. Now comes news, in an exclusive story in Psychic News, that Hadley has not only resigned as chairman, 12 months into the job, but also as an SNU director. David Bruton, SNU president, has taken over at Stansted Hall. The curt announcement on the SNU’s website makes no reference to Hadley’s contribution to the Union or to the college.
Although no reasons have been given for this dramatic development, the Psychic News report offers some insights that, I suspect, may not be far from the truth. As usual, the SNU’s tight-lipped policy has lead to speculation and dismay among its membership as well as other Spiritualists. The headline on the story, written by Sue Farrow, PN editor, says it all: “Andrew Hadley’s meteoric rise ends with shock departure”.
Sue quotes extensively from my Blog interview with Duncan Gascoyne (left), in 2011, in which he discussed the issues he had with the way in which decisions made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) were not being relayed to him properly as chairman, though he refused to point the finger at one particular individual. I noted at the time that Hadley, who had ambitious plans for transforming Stansted into an upmarket venue, had responsibility for “NEC liaison” and was presumably the missing link. Now, he’s totally missing!
The story appears in full not only in the 21st April edition of Psychic News (which is available on subscription or at many churches) but also – for free – on its website. The comments that have already been posted reflect the depth of feeling of many ordinary members about the way in which the Union is being run.
It will be interesting to see if the reasons for Hadley’s departure are discussed at this year’s annual general meeting, which is taking place in Blackpool in July. Did he resign or was he pushed? I’d like to think that the NEC has learned from its past mistakes and will choose to be upfront with its membership about the reasons for Hadley’s rapid rise within the Union and sudden demise. But I won’t be surprised if this fiasco is swept under the carpet.