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Skools out for Summer #16

When Hugo and Emily Meynell built Hoar Cross Hall it included a whole estate with it, namely kitchen gardens, greenhouses, stables, a farm and cottages. Old Hall (Their original home) was also on The estate and was accessed via a private road, which ran from The main road. By The time The seventies came along The stable block and Old Hall were private houses and anoTher part of Old Hall had been made into a children’s home. Emily Meynell had started this home in The Victorian days, calling it ‘The Home of The Good Shepherd’ but it was for boys only at that time. When we were at The Hall it was a mixed home and run by a husband and wife couple. They used to...

A Christmas Celebration #74

...staff.  The Meynell family treated Their servants and workers quite well compared to some families and always hosted a party just before Christmas for The indoor and outdoor staff as well as The estate workers who lived in The cottages nearby.  The party was held in The Long Gallery where There were roaring log fires in The two fireplaces and a small band playing music.  A table was laden with food and drinks including mulled wine and ginger beer.  The staff dressed up in Their ‘Sunday best’ and for one night of The year They could imagine what it was like to be a member of The aristocracy – however, They weren’t allowed to go into any oTher ground...

Ghouls Galore! #85

...Going to sleep in a big old house is quite scary when you’re young but going to sleep in a big old house that’s haunted is even more scary!!  As we approach Hallowe'en my mind has gone back to that first winter at Hoar Cross Hall and all The scary things that happened - and that was without any trick or treaters in those days!  We quickly realised that we weren’t The only inhabitants of The house.  Every time There was a windy night I could hear a window banging in The attic – all night long it kept me awake.  The next day I would go upstairs to The attics to close it but There would be no windows open or even loose.   They were all tightly shut as...

A Christmas Celebration #89

...The final Christmas blog this year is a story of how The servants celebrated Christmas at Hoar Cross Hall, based around true events.  The Meynells always gave a party for Their servants and local tradesmen in The Long Gallery, and I imagine it went a bit like this!     “Come on, look sharp!” shouted Cook to her assistants in The kitchen.  “We’ve got a load of cooking to do for The Christmas party at The weekend and if you don’t get a move on There’ll be nothing to eat!” The kitchen maids looked at each oTher, stopped Their gossiping and started to move a bit quicker.  Cook could be quite intimidating when she was in one of her moods.  The...

More Tea Vicar? #12

...MORE TEA VICAR?   During The long summer holidays it was easy to get bored.  As There was no public transport from Hoar Cross and no children living nearby, we three children had to make our own entertainment and we were always having adventures and getting up to mischief – a bit like The Famous Five, but without a dog!  We would roam around The village or explore The basement.  My dad was a hoarder and had kept all sorts of stuff over The years including gas masks and field phones from World War 2.  The old Servants Hall was now my dad’s workshop and he spent a lot of time down There restoring antiques to sell.  He had one of The field phones in his...

Coming Of Age #21

...COMING OF AGE:  My year at college had come to an end and I was now a fully fledged secretary.  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!  Kev and The band were getting a few gigs around The area and after singing with Them for a little while I gave it up and let a more professional singer ta...