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The War Years and Beyond #40

The WAR YEARS AND BEYOND:     During The Second World War, life in country houses changed dramatically. It was no different at Hoar Cross. The flower borders on The main lawns were turfed over to reduce maintenance and vegetables were grown in areas formerly restricted to flowers. Evacuees from Birmingham came to stay for The duration of The war and They lived in The basement, as it was considered to be The safest place. I imagine that They must have been in The care of The servants as They were living amongst Them but it must also have been quite exciting for Them to move from a bombed out city to The relative safety of The countryside, although They must ha...

More Tea Vicar? #12

...thing! The Meynell Arms where The trees were planted   The year finished with our annual New Years Eve Ball which was always enjoyable. This particular year we had booked a steel band and They were amazing – They didn’t stop playing until 3.30am as no-one could stop dancing!   At midnight we had a Scottish piper who would walk down The Long Gallery in full Scottish regalia complete with bagpipes to pipe in The new year. Once this was done everyone would sing Auld Lang Syne and Then my dad would release a net full of balloons onto The crowd and everyone would set off Their party poppers.   Non-stop dancing at New Year   My broTher Gavin’...

The War Years and Beyond #39

...ent:   'The Meynells and Temple Newsam'If you would like to follow my story form The beginning, click here and please feel free to share with your friends. Follow me around my childhood home in my 'Tour of The Hall' – click here to view and subscribe to my youtube channel. OUT NOW!!!  'My Dad Bought a Mansion' is out in book form on Amazon - all my memoirs packed with lots of photographs from The times.  Go check it out here and let me know what you think!...

"He's behind you!" #66

...r fun! The Meynells dressing up for Their shows   My broThers, Gavin and Piers were involved of course but Gavin broke his arm a couple of weeks before The show started so ended up with The minor but important role of working The hands of The large clock that stood to one side of The stage!  I felt really sorry for him as he had to stand behind The clock and no-one could see him – however, The clock was a major part of The story which involved The lead actors going back in time at midnight, so he was whizzing The hands round all night long!  Alexandra Meynell’s faTher, Lord Killearn also got involved by devising anagrams for one of The dance routin...

Lest we forget #86

...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 and weren't prepared to go back to domestic roles.  At The time of The First World War Frederick Meynell and Lady Mary Meynell were living at The Hall with Their five children.  Their four sons all served in The war and Their daughter Margaret served in The Red Cross as a volunteer. Their eldest son Francis was a Major but was wounded in action in 1917 with severe wounds to his back. He was m...

Aristocratic travels Part 2

...ings The Meynell family abroad Soldiers marching Emily's schooner,  "Ariadne"   African farmers   I hope you have enjoyed looking at These old photos - more next week! If you would like to follow my blog from The beginning, click here and please feel free to share with your friends!        ...