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Celebrating VE Day #94

As a way of commemorating V. E. Day I have re-posted my blog from November's Remembrance Day which tells of the sacrifice that the men of the Meynell family made during both world wars as well as the many thous<Span class='highlight'>andSpan>s of others who took part.  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 'men's work' during the war <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> weren't prepared to go back to domestic roles.  At the time of the First World War Frederick Meynell <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> Lady Mary Meynell were living at the Hall with...

Summer Balls <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> Garden Parties #97

Balls <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> functions held at Hoar Cross Hall were lavish affairs, especially before the First World War, with the catering <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> other services invariably being provided by premier London companies.  In 1907, Gunter & Co of Berkeley Square, London, could supply a Ball supper <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> 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 <Span class='highlight'>andSpan>, “.....if waiters are desired to be in Full Dress (silk stockings) the additional cost will be five shillings (25p) per man.”  They als...

What the Butler Saw! #38

WHAT THE BUTLER SAW!      Anyone who’s seen Downton Abbey will remember Carter the butler. He is exactly how a butler would have been in the 19th century <Span class='highlight'>andSpan>, strangely enough, the butler at the Hall during the early part of the 20th century was also called Carter! Although most big houses had a house steward who was in charge of accounts <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> general running of the household, a butler was more commonly engaged by the wealthy. He was usually a gr<Span class='highlight'>andSpan>, authoritarian figure, comm<Span class='highlight'>andSpan>ing respect <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> awe <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> most of the servants would have been scared to death of upsetting him! He was dressed like a gentleman of the period <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> generally ran the household with an...

Royal visitors at Hoar Cross Hall #10

From earliest times the king's court has traveled around the kingdom so the king could see first h<Span class='highlight'>andSpan> what was going on in his realm. When the king showed up, the local subjects were expected to provide food, entertainment, <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> accommodations usually in the form of mediaeval banquets.  For the King or Queen's subjects this could be very expensive <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> not all royalty was welcome! However, this was the only way that people could see their King or Queen <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> know that they were real. Fast forward from the twelve century to the 21st century <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> royals are still touring the country so their subjects can 'see them <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> believe in them'. The Queen's gr<Span class='highlight'>andSpan>parents, King...

THE TAX MAN COMETH #29

THE TAX MAN COMETH - The court case was finally over <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> my dad had six months to leave the house.  In the meantime my mum had to find the funds to buy him out <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> 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 <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> 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 <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> t...

The tax man cometh! #29

THE TAX MAN COMETH:   My parents’ court case was finally over <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> my dad had six months to leave the house.  In the meantime my mum had to find the funds to buy him out <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> 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 <Span class='highlight'>andSpan> 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 news...