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The Grand Opening #5

THE GRAND OPENING:        And so we move into 1971 and the preparation of the Hall so we could open it to the public by Easter.  During the run up to buying the house my dad had been buying furniture, carpets and paintings like  crazy and I remember our previous home being jam packed with chaise longues, sideboards and carved chests as well as all the suits of armour that he already had.  This furniture was now set out in all the rooms. My mum’s collection of Victorian costumes were on display in the Ballroom as well as my dad’s collection of silver plated ‘display’ armour, which hung around the panelled walls; the suits of armour and the many pai...

Skools out for summer! #14

SKOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!       When Hugo and Emily Meynell built Hoar Cross Hall it included a whole estate with it, namely kitchen gardens, greenhouses, stables, a farm and cottages.  Old Hall (their original home) was also on the estate and was accessed via a private road, which ran from the main road.  By the time the seventies came along the stable block and Old Hall were private houses and another part of Old Hall had been made into a children’s home.  Emily Meynell had started this home in the Victorian days, calling it ‘The Home of the Good Shepherd’ but it was for boys only at that time.  When we were there it was a mixed home and run by a hu...

The Grand Opening #5

THE GRAND OPENING:       And so we move into 1971 and the preparation of Hoar Cross Hall so we could open it to the public by Easter.  During the run up to buying the house my dad had been buying furniture, carpets and paintings like  crazy and I remember our previous home being jam packed with chaise longues, sideboards and carved chests as well as all the suits of armour that he already had.  This furniture was now set out in all the rooms. My mum’s collection of Victorian costumes were on display in the Ballroom as well as my dad’s collection of silver plated ‘display’ armour, which hung around the panelled walls; the suits of armour and the ma...

THE RENOVATIONS BEGIN #4

...below.  Visitors would carefully climb down a ladder to gaze at an aristocrat being beheaded by a burly Axeman behind bars!  A skeleton in chains was hanging on the wall for good measure!  Not quite what went on in Victorian times, but the Visitors seemed to like it!  I don’t think that ladder would pass any health and safety rules today though!...

Reburbishing our Mansion #4

...below.  Visitors would carefully climb down a ladder to gaze at an aristocrat being beheaded by a burly axeman behind bars!  A skeleton in chains was hanging on the wall for good measure!  Not quite what went on in Victorian times but the Visitors seemed to like it!  I don’t think that ladder would pass any health and safety rules today though! Don’t miss next week’s instalment:  The Grand Opening If you would like to follow my story from the beginning click here  ...

Our mansion gets a facelift #4

...below.  Visitors would carefully climb down a ladder to gaze at an aristocrat being beheaded by a burly axeman behind bars!  A skeleton in chains was hanging on the wall for good measure!  Not quite what went on in Victorian times but the Visitors seemed to like it!  I don’t think that ladder would pass any health and safety rules today though! Don’t miss next week’s instalment:  The Grand Opening If you would like to follow my story from the beginning, click here and please feel free to share with your friends.  ...