Story Search Results

Rags to Riches #15

...irth is a story in itself as his mother worked at a nearby stately home as a servant and fell for the son of the house. My mum told me all about it years later – how they had fallen in love and were ‘walking out’ together even though it was forbidden in those days for the aristocracy to mix with the servants. However, before they could be married the son went off to the First World War and caught tuberculosis - he sadly died so my grandmother had to bring my dad up alone with help from her own parents, and without getting married (this is where my dad gets his double-barrel surname from). When my dad was about 4 years old my grandmother married a sailor an...

Panto Pranks! #30

...s nursery story or fairy tale, usually produced at Christmas. It’s mainly for children but adults tend to love them too as there is always a lot of audience participation, especially when the villain walks on and everyone boos and hisses or shouts “He’s behind you!”. The aim was to involve as many people as possible, particularly the youngsters, and adults and children from around the area of Hoar Cross were invited to participate in the event, forming a group known as ‘The Overdraft Players’! About 80 people took part altogether including three ‘retired’ semi-professionals. A huge, three-tiered, sectional wooden stage was built for the venture...

The Haunting of Hoar Cross Hall #32

...The typewriter keys clattered away as Viv wrote her story. It was coming along nicely and she was feeling pleased with herself. The attic room that she and her brothers had made into their ‘den’ was ideal for getting away from everybody and having some peace and quiet and she quite forgot about the time as she lost herself in the plot. Suddenly she looked up and realized how dark it was getting; the December nights were pulling in and it was already quite dusky by 3.30pm. Quickly she packed her books and folders away and prepared to go downstairs. How she hated being up in the attics when it was getting dark as it was so spooky! The wind was starting to howl...

Rags to Riches #14

...irth is a story in itself as his mother worked at a nearby stately home as a servant and fell for the son of the house. My mum told me all about it years later – how they had fallen in love and were ‘walking out’ together even though it was forbidden in those days for the aristocracy to mix with the servants. However, the son went off to fight in the First World War then caught tuberculosis and sadly died so my grandmother had to bring my dad up alone with help from her own parents, and without getting married (this is where my dad gets his double-barrel surname from). When my dad was about 4 years old my grandmother married a sailor and they had a little...

Moving On - the end of an era #33

...After ten years of growing up in a stately home (Hoar Cross Hall), I have come to the end of my story. After my parents’ divorce it was agreed that my mum bought out my dad's half of the house and he had to leave his dream home forever. He and Gavin moved out to live in Burton-on-Trent and my mum carried on running Mediaeval Banquets for a few more years. She and the singer eventually got together much to my dad’s chagrin. The singer spent a lot more time at the Hall helping my mum run the banquets; however, Piers didn’t really get on with him. When he was about 14 years old my dad received a phone call from Piers – he had run away from home and was ring...

The Kitchen Maid's story

...rature, history, philosophy, and drama.  She graduated in 1984. In 1991, she paid a visit to Hoar Cross, spending a pleasurable week as a guest in the Spa Hotel, above stairs!  What a strange experience that must have been for her, albeit enjoyable! Her life had now come full circle which just goes to show that you should never give up on your dreams and you’re never too old to do something new!   Don’t miss next week’s instalment:  What the Butler Saw! If you would like to follow my story from the beginning please Click Here!...