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Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #45

...safe. The still room was a large area for making jams and cakes and where the afternoon teas were prepared. It was also used for pastry making and other meals such as the breakfast trays for the nursery which gave some relief to the kitchen staff in the main kitchens. The staff would sometimes use this for a sitting area too when they had time! 'Below stairs' - the still room is on the left   After the food was cooked it was taken through the servant’s hall to a lift shaft or dumb waiter and up into the Dining room. From there the servants could serve the family. Unfortunately a pantry boy fell down this shaft and broke his leg in several places so it...

THE GRAND OPENING #5

...THE GRAND OPENING: And so into 1971 and the preparation of the house 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 arms and armour that he already had.  This furniture was now set out in all the rooms.  The Long Gallery 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 m...

Ghouls Galore! #85

...Going to sleep in a big old house is quite scary when you’re young but going to sleep in a big old house that’s haunted is even more scary!!  As we approach Hallowe'en my mind has gone back to that first winter at Hoar Cross Hall and all the scary things that happened - and that was without any trick or treaters in those days!  We quickly realised that we weren’t the only inhabitants of the house.  Every time there was a windy night I could hear a window banging in the attic – all night long it kept me awake.  The next day I would go upstairs to the attics to close it but there would be no windows open or even loose.   They were all tightly shut as...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #20

...fe.  The still room was a large area for making jams and cakes and where the afternoon teas were prepared.  It was also used for pastry making and other meals such as the breakfast trays for the nursery which gave some relief to the kitchen staff in the main kitchens.  The staff would sometimes use this for a sitting area too when they had time! After the food was cooked it was taken through the servant’s hall to a lift shaft or dumb waiter and up into the Dining room.  From there the servants could serve the family.  Unfortunately a pantry boy fell down this shaft and broke his leg in several places so it was sealed up after that and a different system...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs

...fe.  The still room was a large area for making jams and cakes and where the afternoon teas were prepared.  It was also used for pastry making and other meals such as the breakfast trays for the nursery which gave some relief to the kitchen staff in the main kitchens.  The staff would sometimes use this for a sitting area too when they had time! After the food was cooked it was taken through the servant’s hall to a lift shaft or dumb waiter and up into the Dining room.  From there the servants could serve the family.  Unfortunately a pantry boy fell down this shaft and broke his leg in several places so it was sealed up after that and a different system...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #39

...safe. The still room was a large area for making jams and cakes and where the afternoon teas were prepared. It was also used for pastry making and other meals such as the breakfast trays for the nursery which gave some relief to the kitchen staff in the main kitchens. The staff would sometimes use this for a sitting area too when they had time! Basement floor plan showing servants quarters   After the food was cooked it was taken through the servant’s hall to a lift shaft or dumb waiter and up into the Dining room. From there the servants could serve the family. Unfortunately a pantry boy fell down this shaft and broke his leg in several places so it w...