Story Search Results

Moving On - the end of an era #33

...ox in the Meynell Ingram Arms car park! He told my dad that he was hiding behind a bush and could he come and get him. Of course, my dad was only too happy to fetch him and get him away from my mum and the singer and he set off to find him hiding, as he had said, behind a bush in the darkened car park. Piers continued to live with my dad and he joined in with the go karting along with Gavin and also got very involved with BMX stunts, even having a half pipe in their yard to practice on! After a couple of years my dad moved to a much bigger house in Burton which had been an old doctors’ surgery that Kev and his family had gone to when Kev was young, ironicall...

More Tea Vicar? #13

....   Mrs Meynell Ingram commissioned Bodley to commence work on the church in 1872 in memory of her husband who had died the previous year.  It was generally regarded as one of the finest Victorian churches in the country and was known locally as the “Cathedral of the Midlands”.  It was indeed a huge church (for a village) and always open to the public so we would sometimes go and have a look inside.  On one occasion there was no-one around so Gavin and I lit all the candles in the church as we thought it looked really pretty and brightened the place up a bit.  Oh dear – that was definitely not the right thing to do!  A strongly worded letter was sen...

More tea vicar? #12

....   Mrs Meynell Ingram commissioned Bodley to commence work on the church in 1872 in memory of her husband who had died the previous year.  It was generally regarded as one of the finest Victorian churches in the country and was known locally as the “Cathedral of the Midlands”.  It was indeed a huge church (for a village) and always open to the public so we would sometimes go and have a look inside.  On one occasion there was no-one around so Gavin and I lit all the candles in the church as we thought it looked really pretty and brightened the place up a bit.  Oh dear – that was definitely not the right thing to do!  A strongly worded letter was sen...

Huntin', Shootin' and Fishin' #6

...HUNTIN’, SHOOTIN’ AND FISHIN’ Most stately homes have the obligatory hunting, shooting and fishing and Hoar Cross Hall was no exception during the Meynell family’s time there. We didn't take part in any of these activities but the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt used to meet locally to do a spot of fox hunting. They would all gather at different venues around the area and enjoy a drink before setting off. One of their usual places was the Meynell Ingram Arms Public House at the bottom of the village. In February 1972 they had their ‘meet’ at the Hall. We, as the host family, got all dressed up to meet and greet them and local helpers served drinks, us...

Hickleton Hall and the Meynells #38

...Emily Meynell Ingram   Talking about ghosts, apparently Hickleton Hall was just as haunted as Hoar Cross Hall.  Perhaps they followed Emily when she left to get married!  Lord Halifax has written a 'ghost book' of true stories which include ghostly warnings from beyond the grave - even the current owners can hear people whispering as they walk about the house.  If you would like to read more on this, click on the book below.     Lord Halifax's Ghost Book A collection of 'true' ghost stories collected by Lord Halifax, a Victorian English Viscount with an interest in the supernatural. Most document hauntings in the great houses of Britain, bu...

Huntin', Shootin' and Fishin' #6

...HUNTIN’, SHOOTIN’ AND FISHIN’ :            Most stately homes have the obligatory hunting, shooting and fishing and ours was no exception during the Meynell family’s time there.   We participated in none of these but the Meynell and South Staffs Hunt used to meet locally to do a spot of fox hunting.  They would all gather at different venues around the area and enjoy a drink before setting off.  One of their usual places was the Meynell Ingram Arms Public House at the bottom of the village.   In February 1972 they had their ‘meet’ at the Hall.  We, as the host family, got all dressed up to meet and greet them and local helpers served dri...