Story Search Results

Hoar Cross Hall - Life Below Stairs #35

...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...

The Kitchen Maid's Story #36

...shooting party to their Laughton estate, she asked Jenny to go with them to do the cooking. Jenny recalled how thrilled she was to ride alongside the chauffeur in the family Rolls-Royce. As ducks were early risers Jenny had to start cooking at around 3am to get breakfast ready for 4am before shooting began. Colonel Meynell appeared pleased with her efforts and she was rewarded with £1 on her 21st birthday – a lot of money in those days! On her return to the Hall she found that a new temporary cook had started. For the next four months her days were dominated by nagging and persecution, aided and abetted by the butler who joined in the game of baiting her....

Mediaeval Mayhem! #13

...e quite a party, even though it started at 9.30 in the morning; as the day wore on the organist started playing a few of the songs we would be doing at the banquets, and everyone started dancing and singing along – it was 4pm by the time we finished! And so arrived the day of the first banquet. All the furniture and costumes from the Chinese Room and Ballroom had been removed and put into storage elsewhere in the house. A local carpenter had made long tables and benches to seat about 200 guests in the Ballroom, which was now known as the Banqueting Hall. We had employed caterers to do the food and the Chinese Room was used as a food preparation area next to t...

See you in Court #27

...iends and party in the apartments out of sight and sound of my parents. One morning we came home at 8am after being out all night and met my dad on the stairs as we were going to bed. He looked surprised and said “You’re up early today aren’t you?” to which we just nodded and carried on to our bedrooms!We consoled ourselves by spending a lot of time in the Meynell Arms, the local pub in the village. When we walked in of an evening, everyone was keen to know the latest updates on the divorce and we would spend half an hour telling them all the news – it was like a real life soap opera! On Tuesday nights a bunch of the local businessmen would all meet up...

A Christmas Haunting! #34

...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 staircase Alic...

The Kitchen Maid's Tale #41

...shooting party to their Laughton estate, she asked Jenny to go with them to do the cooking. Jenny recalled how thrilled she was to ride alongside the chauffeur in the family Rolls-Royce.   As ducks were early risers Jenny had to start cooking at around 3am to get breakfast ready for 4am before shooting began. Colonel Meynell appeared pleased with her efforts and she was rewarded with £1 on her 21st birthday – a lot of money in those days! The Laughton estate duck shoot   On her return to the Hall she found that a new temporary cook had started. For the next four months her days were dominated by nagging and persecution, aided and abetted by the but...