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Motor Racing Days #9

...n’t too bothered about winning; drivers always got their ‘start’ money and he was satisfied with that. Accidents meant expensive repairs! My dad as a despatch rider - WW2 in Africa   During the 1960s he raced Lotus Elites and I have never forgotten the time, aged just 5 years old, when he took me for a spin around Mallory Park. I remember it all very clearly, even now. He strapped me into the car, watched by the mechanics in the pits. My poor mother was worried to death and kept asking if I’d be alright! My dad was his usual self, flouting the rules, and continued to do a few laps around the circuit with me clinging petrified to the side of the s...

Rags to Riches #14

...Before we moved to Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire we lived in Derbyshire.  My family originated from Derby and my parents were married there in July 1952. Mum was 19 and dad was 36 so quite a bit older. They both lived in Derby and were very arty; my dad went to the Derby Sketching Club in his free time and my mum attended art college. I’m not sure where they met but it was either at something art related or at a dance, as was usual in those days. My dad was a sculptor by trade; I think his interest was sparked by seeing all the beautiful alabaster in Italian churches during the war. After the war he set up his own business making alabaster lamps, bowls and...

Skools out for Summer #16

...h I found both thrilling and frightening all at once. The matadors came so close to the bull but I hated that they had to stab them first to make them angry – it seemed so cruel. In Spain we went to a club one night to see some flamenco dancing and they pulled me up onto the stage to join in which was fun, if unexpected! We also went on a day trip to Morocco and walked round the Kasbah, which was the local market. I remember hoards of poor children following us around trying to sell us things. My dad noticed one of the stallholders smiling at me and said for a joke “You can have her for two camels”. Well, the man never left our side after that – he took...

A Christmas Haunting! #34

...droom but both were fast asleep. How strange, she thought and went back to the lounge. The next day Viv was helping to clean the Library. This was her favourite room as it had two secret doors built into the walls masquerading as bookshelves; when they were closed you couldn’t see them at all. She dusted all the shelves, looked at a few books then decided to polish the mirror which stood on the mantlepiece above the fireplace. It was a lovely old gilt framed mirror so Viv was very careful with it. As she peered closely into it trying to remove a mark she suddenly jumped back – there before her was the face of a little girl! Viv gathered herself and slowly m...

Queen Alexandra - my family #50

...grandson both loved the house dearly and it was the setting for the first Christmas broadcast in 1932. In 1957 Queen Elizabeth broadcast her first televised Christmas message from here during her annual two month stay over the festive season. The huge estate boasts ornamental and kitchen gardens, a school, kennels, a rectory and a staff clubhouse. King Edward also made Sandringham one of the best sporting estates in England where he held numerous shooting parties. Above the upper lake stands a summerhouse called 'the Nest' or 'Alix's Nest' – this was a gift to Queen Alexandra from the comptroller of her household, General Sir Dighton Probyn in 1913, a lovely...

Race day parties #26

...ere.  We both dressed up in our mediaeval costumes and became ‘Grid Girls’ for the day (see header photo) which was also a lot of fun when you’re only 16 and the world’s media is focused on the race track that you’re standing on!   Don’t miss next week’s instalment:  See you in Court If you would like to follow my story from the beginning, please click here and feel free to share with your friends.  ...