Story Search Results

The War Years and Beyond #39

...ing considerably reduced. Colonel Meynell, who had been seriously wounded in the Second World War, was suffering from his disability and it must have been difficult for him living in such a large house. Therefore, in 1952 the family bought a smaller house in nearby Newborough called Hollybush Park. I remember Mrs Meynell telling us a funny story about how her husband had come home one day and told her he had bought another house. He was raving on about the ‘hard tennis courts, so much better than our grass ones’.  She also told us how excited the servants were to have a smaller house to clean! How times have changed!  The header picture shows the Meynell c...

Ghostbusters! #8

...o another era, as nothing had really changed in 100 years – but not for long as they were quite dark!  All the rooms were still the same as they had been when the house was first built; same décor, everything – so it was easy to imagine that the Victorian days were still with us, especially when you were an imaginative teenager! On another occasion the local press wanted to do a story on our resident ghost.  They turned up, coincidentally, the day after I’d heard more noises in the night.  I have always kept a diary and this particular night tells me that I couldn’t sleep and was sitting in bed reading at about 1am when I suddenly heard a young girl...

Race Day Parties #27

...post war era – he and his wife were always very expensively dressed and hosted one of the marquee parties.  There was also a VIP marquee which we managed to sneak into when no-one was looking.  After ordering our drinks at the bar, Kev asked how much they were and was told in no uncertain terms that if we were real VIPs, we would know that it was all free!  My dad revelled in these events as there was always lots of free food and drink and he usually managed to help himself to one or two bottles of champagne which were squirrelled away in the car, “for when you get married Viv” he would tell me.  He had a whole rack of them in his bedroom all ready f...

The Grand Opening #5

...n another era – once I lay down on the bed and fell asleep. When I awoke and climbed out from behind the drapes it was to a roomful of visitors staring open mouthed at me! In another room my dad had his racing car surrounded by displays and photos of his racing career. The Entrance Hall was turned into a café area next to the kitchen, which had once been the old Butler’s Pantry, and my job was to bake scones and make sandwiches for the hungry visitors and groups that often came for a day out. Although I would make the scones earlier in the day, we would always leave a few in the oven so that there was a lovely smell of home baking floating around the house...

Aristocratic travels Part 2

...s - 1930s era.  Unfortunately I don't know who they are exactly but they are Meynell family members as the photos were found in the Library of the Hall.  The aristocracy often went on travels abroad and it's obvious that they are in hot countries.  Note the one with the soldiers marching - does anyone know where this might be? One of Emily's paintings 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! �...

The Grand Opening #5

...n another era – once I lay down on the bed and fell asleep.  When I awoke and climbed out from behind the drapes it was to a roomful of visitors staring open mouthed at me! In another room my dad had his racing car surrounded by displays and photos of his racing career.  The Entrance Hall was turned into a café area next to the kitchen, which had once been the old Butler’s Pantry, and my job was to bake scones and make sandwiches for the hungry visitors and groups that often came for a day out.  Although I would make the scones earlier in the day, we would always leave a few in the oven so that there was a lovely smell of home baking floating around the...