The Church of Scientology have had a significant presence in the quiet countryside town of East Grinstead, Sussex since L. Ron Hubbard acquired Saint Hill Manor in 1959. For a few brief years, the property served as Scientology’s international headquarters – and to this day stands as an important part of the church’s international management hierarchy.
Over recent years we have seen mounting pressure from residents and the local authority amidst growing controversy around the church’s annual IAS event, which takes place at Saint Hill every October. With the internet providing a platform for former members to share their stories, stories continue to emerge that paint a dark picture of what life is like behind closed doors.
Join us on June 6th, 2026 to hear from survivors, residents and experts on why Scientology are continuing to expand their reach and solidify their influence over East Grinstead.
Tickets are available here.
Here’s the lineup of speakers announced so far:
Dr. Alexandra Stein, PhD
Chairman – The Family Survival Trust
Dr. Alex Stein is a renowned cult expert, writer, educator and chairman of The Family Survival Trust. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at London South Bank University, and previously taught at Birkbeck, University of London.
Her talk will discuss the importance of recognising coercive control and the legislative change needed for survivors to seek justice.
Alexander Barnes-Ross
Editor – Scientology Business
Since leaving the Church of Scientology, Alexander Barnes-Ross has become an outspoken critic and activist campaigning for an end to Scientology’s abusive practices. He is currently a member of the National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse and shares survivor stories on YouTube under the name ‘Apostate Alex’.
Danielle Chamberlin
Former Scientologist
Danielle Chamberlin grew up in the Church of Scientology’s elite ‘Sea Organisation’ at Saint Hill, and served founder L. Ron Hubbard aboard the Flagship Apollo as a child.
Amir Essalhi
Former Scientology Executive
Until February 2026, Amir worked as an executive at the Church of Scientology in Edinburgh and has first-hand experience working at Saint Hill during their annual IAS event. After being ordered to do hard manual labour for simply talking to an ex-Scientologist, he is now speaking out.
Bonnie Woods
Former Scientologist
Bonnie Woods set up a support network in East Grinstead for those leaving Scientology and later won a landmark legal case in the UK’s High Court after Scientology distributed defamatory propaganda throughout the town in response.
Zoe Hancock
Former Scientologist
Zoe joined Scientology’s elite ‘Sea Organisation’ as a teenager and was sent from Sunderland down to Saint Hill to fulfil her one-billion year contract. At the age of 13, she was handed a pickaxe and given the mammoth task of levelling a field to be used as a car park for that year’s IAS event
Stephen Jones
Former Scientologist
Stephen Jones is a local resident and ex-Scientologist, who worked at Saint Hill and now campaigns for greater awareness of the church’s growing influence over East Grinstead.
Pete Griffiths
Former Scientologist
Pete joined Scientology after taking a personality test in 1987. He later set up a Mission in Cumbria but became the target of a harassment campaign orchestrated by the Church after he decided to speak out about his experiences.
