The founder and central figure of The Sanctuary community was
Vera Pragnell (1897–1968), the daughter of a textile manufacturer. Using her inheritance, she purchased 50 acres of land at
Heath Common and proceeded to give away plots of land free of charge to anyone who was willing to settle there. She lived in a house she named Sanctuary Cottage, part of which was kept open for any passing stranger who needed shelter or refreshment. Vera Pragnell was inspired both by Christianity (in particular
William E. Orchard and the
Fellowship of Reconciliation) as well as the principles of pioneering socialist
Edward Carpenter. Lacking a single political or spiritual focus, The Sanctuary attracted a wide range of individuals as residents or visitors, often with unorthodox and radical views. These included pagans such as the occultist, poet and publisher
Victor Neuburg and Dion Byngham, ex-leading light of the
Order of Woodcraft Chivalry. Other residents included anarchist W. C. Owen as well as Communist Party members. and the Shakespearean actor
Wilfred Walter. A number of the residents and visitors were friends and associates of Edward Carpenter, who was a supporter and inspiration to the community. In 1928, Vera Pragnell published her book "The Story of the Sanctuary" and dedicated it to the "splendid pioneer" Edward Carpenter with a poem by Victor Neuburg praising Carpenter as "our Youth's doyen". Vera had a personal connection with Carpenter, as in 1927 she had married the painter Dennis Earle, who had previously been known as Ted Earle when he was Carpenter's lover ==Decline==