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A New Year Calamity #34

The New Year’s Eve Balls at the Hall were usually the highlight of the year. After twelve months of hard work, especially running the Mediaeval Banquets twice a week through the winter, we were always ready to see out the year in style with a big new year party. In those days it was always black tie for the men and long dresses for the ladies – usually around 500 people bought tickets for an evening of entertainment with a dance band, disco and a meal. At midnight a man dressed in traditional Scottish regalia, including a kilt and sporran, would pipe in the new year with his bagpipes. Down the Long Gallery he would slowly walk and into the Ballroom with his...

Get me to the church on time! #30

...ith their party there.   When I came home and went up to bed, I passed the door leading to the apartments and could hear a lot of noise. I went into the East Wing and listened at the door; it sounded like they were having a lot more fun than me so in I went! The place was full of men watching the strippers and when I walked in all dressed up they thought another one had arrived until they realised it was me! Kev started to say to me that I shouldn’t be there – it was a stag do and only men were allowed. Even though he said it in jest, one uninvited guest who didn’t know us started to shout back at Kev and told him to stop treating me like that. He...

A New Year Calamity! #35

...The New Year’s Eve Balls at Hoar Cross Hall were usually the highlight of the year. After twelve months of hard work, especially running the Mediaeval Banquets twice a week through the winter, we were always ready to see out the year in style with a big new year party. In those days it was always black tie for the men and long dresses for the ladies – usually around 500 people bought tickets for an evening of entertainment with a dance band, disco and a meal. At midnight a man dressed in traditional Scottish regalia, including a kilt and sporran, would pipe in the new year with his bagpipes. Down the Long Gallery he would slowly walk and into the Ballroom wi...

Christmas High Jinks #72

...ere was a party at the vicarage afterwards with lots of food, mince pies and mulled wine along with a group of bell-ringers to finish off the evening.  The thought of nice Christmas fare was enough to mollify them but they were already thinking up tricks they could play on the unsuspecting parishioners! The day of the Carol Service arrived and as they approached the church Gavin and Viv went to show their mother where the grave was.  But as they got nearer they couldn’t find it. “How strange,” said Viv.  “I’m sure it was here, just round the corner from the front door!” They looked around but couldn’t see anything but overgrown grass and croo...

Christmas High Jinks #87

...ere was a party at the vicarage afterwards with lots of food, mince pies and mulled wine along with a group of bell-ringers to finish off the evening.  The thought of nice Christmas fare was enough to mollify them but they were already thinking up tricks they could play on the unsuspecting parishioners! The day of the Carol Service arrived and as they approached the church Gavin and Viv went to show their mother where the grave was.  But as they got nearer they couldn’t find it. “How strange,” said Viv.  “I’m sure it was here, just round the corner from the front door!” They looked around but couldn’t see anything but overgrown grass and croo...

Hallowe'en Hauntings #100

...Another party was held on Hallowe'en and because of all the ghost stories, one of our friends suggested a seance in the attic itself as they fancied a spot of ghost hunting by candlelight, so we dared them to try it!  Well, they certainly found them!  They all sat around in a circle on the bare wooden floors and joined hands; the candle was placed in the middle of the circle creating an eerie glow and making shadows dance in the corners.   The more experienced people did a bit of chanting and then they all waited to see what happened.   We carried on partying downstairs turning the music up loud – to be honest, I didn’t really want to know what was g...