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Becoming a rock chick #18

BECOMING A ROCK CHICK:        My schooldays were coming to an end now and I absolutely couldn’t wait to leave.  The school itself was an old Victorian grammar school in Uttoxeter which still had wooden desks with inkwells in them!  Even the teachers wore their mortar boards and gowns just like the ones at Eton and Harrow – or the Beano!   However, in the last two years there I had made a few good friends and we would go into town every lunch time to meet up with a group of guys that worked at the local J. C. Bamford firm.  They were all into motor bikes and one of the first films I watched was ‘Easy Rider’.  They also went to a lot of concerts...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #20

...ited to a party held in the Long Gallery.  However, they were only allowed to stay in this area, although they may have had a peep though the huge double doors into the drawing room.  When Hugo Meynell married in 1936 a large reception was held for all the cottagers, tenants and staff.  This was an example of the aristocracy extending hospitality to local people, something that was considered an important obligation of the gentry.  When the family ‘wintered abroad’ the house was closed down and a small amount of staff were kept on – the rest of the servants had to find alternative employment for six months, although they would be re-engaged upon the fa...

The haunting of Hoar Cross Hall #15

...oing to a party?  That’s a very pretty dress you have on.”  Alice shook her head and moved into the room. “Can I do some drawing please,” she asked. Viv pushed some paper and pens towards her and Alice sat at the table drawing a picture of a house.  She was very quiet so Viv let her get on with it while she typed.  A little while  later she decided to go downstairs for lunch and told Alice she had to go back to her apartment or her parents would be wondering where she was.  The child did as she was told and ran off down the corridor towards the west wing.  Viv followed to make sure she got back safely but when she reached the top of the spiral...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs

...ited to a party held in the Long Gallery.  However, they were only allowed to stay in this area, although they may have had a peep though the huge double doors into the drawing room.  When Hugo Meynell married in 1936 a large reception was held for all the cottagers, tenants and staff.  This was an example of the aristocracy extending hospitality to local people, something that was considered an important obligation of the gentry.  When the family ‘wintered abroad’ the house was closed down and a small amount of staff were kept on – the rest of the servants had to find alternative employment for six months, although they would be re-engaged upon the fa...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #39

...ited to a party held in the Long Gallery. However, they were only allowed to stay in this area, although they may have had a peep though the huge double doors into the drawing room. When Hugo Meynell married in 1936 a large reception was held for all the cottagers, tenants and staff. This was an example of the aristocracy extending hospitality to local people, something that was considered an important obligation of the gentry. When the family ‘wintered abroad’ the house was closed down and a small amount of staff were kept on – the rest of the servants had to find alternative employment for six months, although they would be re-engaged upon the family’s...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #18

...ited to a party held in the Long Gallery. However, they were only allowed to stay in this area, although they may have had a peep though the huge double doors into the drawing room. When Hugo Meynell married in 1936 a large reception was held for all the cottagers, tenants and staff. This was an example of the aristocracy extending hospitality to local people, something that was considered an important obligation of the gentry. When the family ‘wintered abroad’ the house was closed down and a small amount of staff were kept on – the rest of the servants had to find alternative employment for six months, although they would be re-engaged upon the family’s...