Story Search Results

The War Years and Beyond #37

...it into a Christian Community. Incredibly they were allowed full access to the house while they were fund raising – the total required to purchase, equip and furnish the property was estimated at around £350,000. The plan was that they would accommodate 100 guests plus staff, and be equipped with a gymnasium, swimming pool and facilities for drama, music, films, crafts, conferences and other activities. A bold plan indeed! The monks lived in the Lodge and Gatehouse having full use of the Hall and its surroundings for four years while they appealed for money. They even demolished the kitchens and laundry block at one end of the house in readiness for the swimm...

The Schoolroom Maid's Story #36

...sumes her Christian name originated. There was little choice but to go into service in those days (her sister, Beatrice, was also a nursery maid with the Earl and Countess of Lichfield), and she was engaged on a salary of £18 per annum. Her mother made her uniform, which comprised of a morning dress and an afternoon dress, and Lady Dorothy Meynell supplied her cap. She was the personal maid to Lady Dorothy’s eldest daughter, Dorothy, who was just four years younger than Inez. She also looked after Dorothy’s younger sister, Rachael. The schoolroom at this time was situated just off the main Entrance Hall, and immediately below the nursery. Inez worked unde...

The Schoolroom Maid's Story #36

...sumes her Christian name originated.     There was little choice but to go into service in those days (her sister, Beatrice, was also a nursery maid with the Earl and Countess of Lichfield), and she was engaged on a salary of £18 per annum. Her mother made her uniform, which comprised of a morning dress and an afternoon dress, and Lady Dorothy Meynell supplied her cap. She was the personal maid to Lady Dorothy’s eldest daughter, Dorothy, who was just four years younger than Inez. She also looked after Dorothy’s younger sister, Rachael. The schoolroom at this time was situated just off the main Entrance Hall, and immediately below the nursery. Inez w...

An Edwardian Schoolroom Maid #40

...sumes her Christian name originated.   There was little choice but to go into service in those days (her sister, Beatrice, was also a nursery maid with the Earl and Countess of Lichfield), and she was engaged on a salary of £18 per annum. Her mother made her uniform, which comprised of a morning dress and an afternoon dress, and Lady Dorothy Meynell supplied her cap. She was the personal maid to Lady Dorothy’s eldest daughter, Dorothy, who was just four years younger than Inez. She also looked after Dorothy’s younger sister, Rachael. The schoolroom at this time was situated just off the main Entrance Hall, and immediately below the nursery. Inez w...

The country house in society #48

...othic for Christian English gentlemen, with a religious tone on the increase up to 1870, by which time the Victorian religious revival had started to wane. Wealth in itself didn't guarantee entry into the landed gentry and certainly not into the aristocracy. Bestwood Lodge, Nottingham - a Gothic style mansion   Bestwood Lodge (above) was built in 1862 in the 14th century Gothic style for the Duke of St. Albans.  It is asymmetric with all the Victorian love of ornament and exaggeration.  It was occupied by the army during the Second World War and is now a hotel.   It should be noted that the aristocracy or nobility were those from which the governing...