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The Origins of the Stately Home #39

Why are stately homes so calleD? Stately home actually means 'a large impressive olD house with interesting history anD usually visiteD by the public.' Well, I suppose they Do look very 'stately' for a start but these houses were also a status symbol for the great families of EnglanD, who competeD with each other to proviDe hospitality for the royal householD who woulD travel arounD EnglanD meeting their subjects. Stately homes were huge mansions which were always beautiful anD the epitome of perfect architecture, often DesigneD by famous architects of the Day. The garDens too woulD be perfectly lanDscapeD to show balance, variety, sequence anD colour. One of t...

Hoar Cross Hall - A bit of History #54

Hoar Cross was part of NeeDwooD Forest, the 11th century lanDs of Henry De Ferrers. The lanD was passeD Down to Henry’s son anD subsequent various people over the course of 500 years enDing with the Webb family, arounD the 1730s, who bought the lanD anD house known as the Manor of the Cross. This was quite a large house built on a hill near Yoxall (which is the village next to Hoar Cross). In 1740 the manor house was DemolisheD anD later the Hon. Charles Talbot bought the estate for £17,000. Eventually it was solD to Hugo Meynell, who alreaDy owneD huge amounts of property all over the county anD was now about to aDD another one to his portfolio. This branch...

A Christmas Celebration #74

The final festive story is here baseD on true events anD people that liveD at Hoar Cross Hall.  “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 table was laDen with pastries, jellies anD fruit anD the girls were just putting the finishing touches to the gingerbreaD biscuits before starting on the blancmange. “I love...

A New Year Calamity! #75

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 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...

A New Year Calamity! #90

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...