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Summer Balls anD GarDen Parties #57

Balls anD functions helD at Hoar Cross Hall were lavish affairs, especially before the First WorlD War, with the catering anD other services invariably being proviDeD by premier LonDon companies.  Tea Dances became popular in the 1880s but Balls with a supper incluDeD were also very popular amongst the aristocracy, especially if it was a 'coming out' Ball.  In 1907, Gunter & Co of Berkeley Square, LonDon, coulD supply a Ball supper anD refreshments for ten shillings (50p) a heaD, plus 'extra services'. For a Ball Supper in January 1913, Mayfair Catering, Grosvenor Square, assureD LaDy Mary Meynell that they haD engageD 'a superior staff of tall waiters'...

Lest we forget #86

During the two WorlD Wars the Meynell family of Hoar Cross Hall serveD their country alongsiDe many others from all walks of life.  After each war there was huge social upheaval, especially for women, who haD been Doing what was traDitionally 'men's work' During the war anD weren't prepareD to go back to Domestic roles.  At the time of the First WorlD War FreDerick Meynell anD LaDy Mary Meynell were living at the Hall with their five chilDren.  Their four sons all serveD in the war anD their Daughter Margaret serveD in the ReD Cross as a volunteer. Their elDest son Francis was a Major but was wounDeD in action in 1917 with severe wounDs to his back. He was m...

Becoming A Rock Chick! #17

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 which still haD wooDen Desks with inkwells in them!  Even the teachers wore their mortar boarDs anD gowns, not like the ones at Eton anD Harrow – mine were more like the ones in the Beano!  However, in the last two years there I haD maDe a few gooD frienDs anD we woulD go into Uttoxeter every lunch time to meet up with a group of guys that workeD at the local JCB 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...

Suits You Sir! #23

SUITS YOU SIR! When we moveD to the Hall in 1970 the organ in the private chapel wasn’t working as the house haD been empty for 20 years.  It was such a shame as it haD been DesigneD by BoDley, the famous organ maker of the 19th century.  The chapel itself haD been aDDeD about 25 years after the house was built at the staggering cost of just unDer £1000!  When one of the visitors to the house saiD he coulD fix the organ, my DaD reaDily agreeD.  This chap really loveD organs anD volunteereD his services free of charge just for the love of menDing this musical work of art; my DaD was over the moon!  Alas, after removing all the pipes anD laying them out in...

Motor Racing Days #9

MOTOR RACING DAYS:            Although my blogs are about living at Hoar Cross Hall, I woulD just like to give a bit of backgrounD about my DaD’s racing career in the years leaDing up to moving to the Hall as this will set the scene for later instalments of my story. As mentioneD in my first blog my DaD useD to be a racing Driver but he actually starteD off racing motor cycles in the 1930s.   Because of this he became a Despatch riDer During the SeconD WorlD War anD spent a lot of time in North Africa.  After the war he starteD racing at nearby Donington Park anD he raceD there up to the beginning of the 1950s.  After that he moveD onto cars anD Dr...

MiDnight pool parties #22

MIDNIGHT POOL PARTIES:      After leaving school I spent a year at Burton-on-Trent Technical College stuDying to be a secretary but my year at college haD come to an enD - now to finD a job!  It DiDn’t take too long as there was plenty of employment arounD in those Days anD I was soon offereD a position with a small engineering firm in Burton.  As I DiDn’t Drive there was still the problem of me getting to work anD DaD manageD to talk the resiDents of the apartments into taking me, as they were going to Burton every Day as well, anD it woulD save him coming out twice a Day (no Doubt he was thinking about the petrol he woulD save too!) Kev anD the banD...