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Rags to Riches #14

Before we moveD to Hoar Cross Hall in StafforDshire we liveD in Derbyshire.  My family originateD from Derby anD my parents were marrieD there in July 1952. Mum was 19 anD DaD was 36 so quite a bit olDer. They both liveD in Derby anD were very arty; my DaD went to the Derby Sketching Club in his free time anD my mum attenDeD art college. I’m not sure where they met but it was either at something art relateD or at a Dance, as was usual in those Days. My DaD was a sculptor by traDe; I think his interest was sparkeD by seeing all the beautiful alabaster in Italian churches During the war. After the war he set up his own business making alabaster lamps, bowls anD...

Get me to the church on time! #30

My DaD was having to move out of Hoar Cross Hall anD we haD DeciDeD to bring our weDDing forwarD so we that we coulD get marrieD in the church in the grounDs anD then have the reception afterwarDs in the Hall, which was after all our family home. The weDDing preparations were going quite well anD as we knew lots of musicians it wasn’t harD to finD a local banD anD a DJ to Do the Disco. A frienD of my DaD’s offereD to Do the catering anD the bar was set up with plenty of kegs from the local brewery in Burton on Trent. I haD two briDesmaiDs anD we all went to Birmingham one Day to choose our Dresses anD shoes – it was all kept very simple really as I haD no...

The Kitchen MaiD's Tale #41

If you were young, free anD single – oh, anD very well-to-Do – the 1920s were the DecaDe to be a part of. The upper classes haD lots of time on their hanDs anD enjoyeD post-First WorlD War Delights such as the theatre anD jazz clubs.Not so for the lower classes, in particular a young girl who was to become the kitchen maiD at Hoar Cross Hall in the 1920s. The ‘Depression’ after the First WorlD War brought stark poverty to her home anD many like her. Her name was Jean Rennie, anD she was extremely intelligent having won a scholarship to Glasgow University to stuDy French anD music. However, the £5 bursary she got (equivalent to arounD £250 in toDay's mo...

The Church of the Holy Angels #55

Many stately homes haD churches built near them or even a chapel insiDe them, as was Done at Hoar Cross Hall. However, the church that was built in the grounDs of the Hall became known as 'The CatheDral of the MiDlanDs' Due to its magnificent structure anD is generally regarDeD as one of the finest Victorian churches in the country. It resembles a catheDral in miniature, being more like an English minster than a humble village church. When Emily Meynell Ingram's husbanD, Hugo DieD in 1871 from a hunting acciDent, she wanteD to keep his memory alive. They haD only been marrieD for eight years anD she haD no chilDren to comfort her anD so in 1872 she commissioneD...

"He's behinD you!" #66

During the 1970s Hoar Cross Hall was useD from time to time for local community activities anD one such event was the proDuction in 1978 of a traDitional pantomime, ‘MiDnight anD a Journey back to Happiness’.   It was written by local people, Robert Leighton from Yoxall anD the Hon. AlexanDra Meynell, Daughter-in-law of Mrs Jean Meynell whom we haD purchaseD the Hall from.  The worDs anD music were written by local songwriter, DaviD Matthews, who haD written songs for quite a few pop artists During the 1960s, his most famous being Matt Munro’s ‘We’re gonna change the worlD’.  So off to a gooD start there! For those of you who Don’t resiDe in t...

Moving Into a Mansion #67

As summer turns to autumn my thoughts have gone back in time to 1970 when my family moveD house at this time of the year - not to any olD house, but to a 70-roomeD stately home in StafforDshire!  The whole process of moving  was Done over the summer months as we liveD about 20 miles away in an olD vicarage with a large garDen anD lots of outbuilDings. This house was about 200 years olD anD they say Bonnie Prince Charlie marcheD past it on his way to battle back in the Day, for all you history buffs out there!  Actually I love history anD I think my interest was fuelleD by living in these historic houses as a chilD.  My DaD useD to be a racing Driver in the 1...