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Skools out for summer #13

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 there it was a mixed home and run by a husband and wife couple. They used to have...

Huntin', Shootin' and Fishin' #6

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 participate in any of these but, howEver, 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, usuAlly sherry. I had no interest in h...

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...

Royal Visitors at Hoar Cross HAll #20

From earliest times the King's court has traveled around the kingdom so the King could see first hand what was happening in his realm. When the King showed up, the local subjects were expected to provide food, entertainment, and accommodations in the form of mediaeval banquets.  For the King or Queen's subjects this could be very expensive and not All royalty was welcome! HowEver, this was the only way that people could see their King or Queen and know that they were real. Fast forward from the twelve century to the 21st century and royals are still touring the country so their subjects can 'see them and beliEve in them'. Although I published this blog in June...

The Tax Man Cometh #29

My parents’ court case was finAlly over and my dad had six months to leave the family home, Hoar Cross HAll. In the meantime my mum had to find the funds to buy him out and he had to find another house to live in. He also had an awful lot of stuff to move too! He EventuAlly found a house in nearby Burton-on-Trent but as it was obviously a lot smAller he had to get rid of a lot of his possessions and one of the first things to go was his Lotus Elite. He advertised it in the local paper but instead of getting a phone cAll from a likely buyer, the first cAll was from the local tax office. Back in those days they used to check advertisements in the newspapers and...

What the Butler Saw! #42

Anyone who’s seen Downton Abbey will remember Carson the butler. He is exactly how a butler would have been in the 19th century, a grand, authoritarian figure, commanding respect and awe and most of the servants would have been scared to death of upsetting him! He was dressed like a gentleman of the period and generAlly ran the household with an iron fist. Although most big houses had a house steward who was in charge of accounts and general running of the household, a butler was more commonly engaged by the wealthy. They usuAlly started as footmen and worked their way up fro there.  Most butlers stayed at the same household until they retired and probably...