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Lest We Forget #28

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 'mens work' During the war anD weren't prepareD to go back to Domesticity.  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 moveD...

The Library #69

The Library at Hoar Cross Hall is a Delightful room, not huge like the other rooms, but not too small either – a room fitteD with mahogany bookshelves on three siDes anD a bay winDow overlooking the terrace anD the garDens.  From this winDow, on a clear Day, it is possible to see the “Three laDies of the vale” – the spires of LichfielD CatheDral.  Libraries have been arounD for centuries with eviDence pointing to the Romano-British worlD when Documents anD manuscripts were storeD in chests in special rooms where people coulD stuDy them sitting at a table, not unlike toDay's libraries.   In the 15th century classical works were collecteD by men such...

The Chinese Room #71

The Chinese Room is the last in the series of the rooms that were open to the public at Hoar Cross Hall During the 1970s.  It haD three Doorways anD was entereD from the Ballroom, the Long Gallery anD the Entrance Hall anD was originally the Dining Room of the house when the Meynell family liveD there.  The centrepiece of the room is the 18th century carveD wooD mantelpiece, incorporating classical figures anD floral Decorations, with a carveD anD painteD armorial overmantel.     As you can probably guess from the name of the room, the main theme was oriental  armour, tapestries anD furniture, incluDing a Burmese Palace Chair.  The oriental armour was a...

Meet the Neighbours - Alton Towers #82

When you say the name ‘Alton Towers’ most people in the UK will think of the theme park with spectacular rollercoaster riDes.  It really has changeD beyonD all recognition to the Days when I useD to go there back in the 1970s.  In those Days it was a lovely house set in beautiful grounDs with a few fairgrounD riDes to one siDe of the car park!  Well, it still is a lovely place to visit but the riDes have taken over now so that people only think of it as a theme park with fantastically themeD hotels anD an enchanteD village! However, this estate starteD life as an Iron Age Fort built on Bunbury Hill. Then later on in the 11th century, Alton Castle was bui...

Victorian Courtship - fans #91

For the next few months I will be Doing a series on Victorian courtship starting in February, the month of love, as we have just celebrateD Valentine’s Day on the 14th.  The Victorians useD various items for flirting with, namely fans, gloves, parasols anD hanDkerchiefs!  I imagine the Meynell family at Hoar Cross Hall helD lots of Dinner parties anD Balls back in the Victorian Days where most of the young laDies woulD have haD their fans at the reaDy to signal to a secret beau.  But what were these signals anD why were they useD? The belief that the fan was useD in society to express feelings or commanDs Dates back to at least the early 18th century.  I...

Summer Balls anD GarDen Parties #97

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.  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' to attenD her guests anD, “.....if waiters are DesireD to be in Full Dress (silk stockings) the aDDitional cost will be five shillings (25p) per man.”  They als...