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Motor Racing Days #64
Posted by Viv Wilson on 25th July 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,Silverstone,Brands Hatch,Chasewater,Mallory Park,Colditz,Godfather,Chris Meek,british grand prix,volkswagon,Formula 1,Formula 2,The Alps,Lotus elite,second world war,Motor bikes
Although my blogs are about living at Hoar Cross hall, I would just like to give a bit of background about my dad’s motor racing career in the years leading up to moving to the hall as this will set the scene for later instalments of my story. With the Silverstone Grand Prix recently in the news, I thought this would be quite topical!
As mentioned my dad used to be a motor 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 motor bikes at nearby Donington Park and he raced there up to the...
A New Year Calamity! #75
Posted by Viv Wilson on 29th December 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall spa hotel,barons eden,new years eve,scottish piper,Balloons,christmas,mediaeval banquets,ballroom,my dad bought a mansion,downton abbey,the crown,haunting,ghosts,attics,bell,calamity
The New Year’s Eve Ball at Hoar Cross hall was usually the highlight of the year. After twelve months of hard work, especially running the Mediaeval Banquets twice a week through the winter, we were always ready to see out the year in style with a big new year party. In those days it was always black tie for the men and long dresses for the ladies – usually around 500 people bought tickets for an evening of entertainment with a dance band, disco and a meal. At midnight a man dressed in traditional Scottish regalia, including a kilt and sporran, would pipe in the new year with his bagpipes. Down the Long Gallery he would slowly walk and into the Ballr...A New Year Calamity! #90
Posted by Viv Wilson on 2nd January 2025 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall spa hotel,barons eden,auld lang syne,stately home,history,historic houses,national trust,christmas,scottish piper,black tie,ballgown,my dad bought a mansion
The New Year’s Eve Balls at Hoar Cross hall were usually the highlight of the year during the 1970s. After twelve months of hard work, especially running the Mediaeval Banquets twice a week through the winter, we were always ready to see out the year in style with a big new year party. In those days it was always black tie for the men and long dresses for the ladies – usually around 500 people bought tickets for an evening of entertainment with a dance band, disco and a meal. At midnight a man dressed in traditional Scottish regalia, including a kilt and sporran, would pipe in the new year with his bagpipes. Down the Long Gallery he would slowly walk...
Calendar Girls and Front Covers #7
Posted by Viv Wilson on 1st January 1973 in Early Days | calendar girls,hoar cross hall,hoar cross hall blog,glamour photography,ha ha wall,staffordshire,magazine,period drama
CALENDAR GIRLS AND FRONT COVERS: Occasionally people would hire the hall and during the summer of 1973 a photographer from London hired the place for a day. He brought two models with him, one English and one German and they were taking photos for a glamour calendar. We were told to keep right out of the way as they were taking photos in the gardens as well as the house. Naturally we wanted to see everything that was going on and Gavin especially was very keen to watch – so much so that he found a pair of binoculars to follow all the proceedings!
We managed to find all sorts of hiding places eventually settling in our attic room to keep tabs on everyt...
Huntin', Shootin' and Fishin' #6
Posted by Viv Wilson on 13th July 2020 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | Meynell,hoar cross hall,Laughton Estate,bats,meynell arms,pheasants,hounds,fishing,gun
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 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 drinks, usually s...Calendar Girls and Front Covers #6
Posted by Viv Wilson on 19th July 2020 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,models,gentlemen,glamour photography,ghostbusters,Staffordshire Magazine
CALENDAR GIRLS AND FRONT COVERS: During our time at Hoar Cross hall people would occasionally hire the house for a day’s filming or whatever. During the summer of 1973 a photographer from London hired the place for a day and he brought two models with him, one English and one German, and they were taking photos for a glamour calendar. We were told to keep right out of the way as they were taking photos in the gardens as well as the house. Naturally we wanted to see everything that was going on and my younger brother Gavin especially was very keen to watch – so much so that he found a pair of binoculars to follow all the proceedings! We managed to find...