Exactly 50 years later, after many sad years of intermittently lying derelict, the now beautifully restored mansion was bought by Roderick & Ria Hackland, who promptly prayed the Blessing of their Heavenly Father over the house in the name of Jesus Christ and humbly invited Him to stay as a Guest of Honour in their home. So: Mildred dances no more…! Only love, music and much happy laughter prevail. Now, when people ask with bated breath: “So….IS there a ghost in Royston Hall?” We smile cheerfully and say: “Yes! The Holy Ghost lives here!”

The Building of the House Captain Hitchens commissioned the house to be built by George Sinclair and his son Colin circa 1899 – 1902 for his wife as a weekend beach cottage. It is said that Mrs Hitchens arrived from Durban by Steam Ship, transferred to a horse-drawn trap, crossed the mighty Umzimkulu by ferry, gave the house a critical overview and rejected it outright! She felt it was too remote, not on the beach and far too much of a task to take on in addition to the responsibilities of her home in Durban. She never took up occupation and returned to Durban forthwith. Therefore the enigmatic Brigadier John Robinson Royston was not the original owner of the property now known as Royston Hall. However, the property remained in the possession of his family for the longest period of some 41 years, and he was by far the most colourful person to have lived here.

Port Shepstone Country Club and the Mzimkulu River mouth are under 5 minutes’ drive away. Many restaurants, bars and museums are located along the Hibiscus Coast from Hibberdene to Port Edward, all within 40 km.