AM Challis Trust Ltd
68 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3BG
Registered Charity No: 1135860
Registered Company No: 06754592
The Trust was established in 2007 in accordance with the will of Mary Challis, who died in February 2006. She left her house and garden, at 68 High Street, to the Trust ‘to promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the inhabitants of Sawston and neighbourhood of its natural flora and wildlife and to establish and maintain a museum devoted to the history of Sawston village’.
The Challis family lived in Sawston from the time when Thomas Challis (1754–1816) came to the village to farm. Thomas was one of the founders in 1811 of Sawston Congregational Church (now the Free Church) and was the father of ten children. His son, Jonathan (1796–1875), married Sally, the daughter of James Everard of Pampisford and on his marriage he was given the property in Sawston, known as Monk’s Orchard. The Challis house and garden are part of this property. Jonathan’s son, Arthur James (1832–?) built the family house in the High Street in about 1850. He was an auctioneer and clerk to the Parish Council. His son, Alfred (1875–1942) followed in his footsteps. Alfred married Annie Moulton and their only child was Alfreda Mary, known as Mary.
The house has been completely renovated by the Trust and now has display space and a kitchen on the ground floor, as well as The Parlour, a room furnished in the Victorian/Edwardian style. On the first floor is Tony’s room with a variety of displays and activities for children, the David Dockerill Library and the Brian Butler Meeting Room, along with the original art-deco bathroom. The top floor, which is not open to the public, houses the Trust’s office and storage for the archive and museum collection.
The Trust has mounted several exhibitions including:
Sawston in the First World War
Made in Sawston
Back to School
Half a Pound of Tuppenny Rice
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
