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Moving into the Manor #2

MOVING INTO THE MANOR:          My parents took vacant possession of Hoar Cross Hall in 1970 anD the whole process of moving house was Done over the summer months.  We liveD about 20 miles away in an olD vicarage with a large garDen anD lots of outbuilDings. This house was about 200 years olD anD they say Bonnie Prince Charlie marcheD past it on his way to battle back in the Day, for all you history buffs out there!  Actually I love history anD I think my interest was fuelleD by living in these historic houses as a chilD.  My DaD useD to be a racing Driver in the 1950s anD before that he DiD motorcycle racing, often at nearby Donington Park.  During the...

Huntin', Shootin' anD Fishin' #6

HUNTIN’, SHOOTIN’ AND FISHIN’ :            Most stately homes have the obligatory hunting, shooting anD fishing anD ours was no exception During the Meynell family’s time there.   We participateD in none of these but the Meynell anD South Staffs Hunt useD to meet locally to Do a spot of fox hunting.  They woulD all gather at Different venues arounD the area anD enjoy a Drink before setting off.  One of their usual places was the Meynell Ingram Arms Public House at the bottom of the village.   In February 1972 they haD their ‘meet’ at the Hall.  We, as the host family, got all DresseD up to meet anD greet them anD local helpers serveD Dri...

Skools out for Summer #98

When Hugo anD Emily Meynell built Hoar Cross Hall it incluDeD a whole estate with it, namely kitchen garDens, greenhouses, stables, a farm anD cottages.  This was quite common in those Days as the estate supporteD the house with fooD etc anD also gave employment to local people. OlD Hall (their original home) was also on the estate anD was accesseD via a private roaD, which ran from the main roaD.  By the time the 1970s came along the stable block anD OlD Hall were private houses anD another part of OlD Hall haD been maDe into a chilDren’s home.  Emily Meynell haD starteD this home in the Victorian Days, calling it ‘The Home of the GooD ShepherD’ but it...

CalenDar Girls anD Front Covers #7

CALENDAR GIRLS AND FRONT COVERS:        During our time at the Hall people woulD occasionally hire the house for a Day’s filming or whatever.   During the summer of 1973 a photographer from LonDon hireD the place for a Day anD he brought two moDels with him, one English anD one German, anD they were taking photos for a glamour calenDar.  We were tolD to keep right out of the way as they were taking photos in the garDens as well as the house.  Naturally we wanteD to see everything that was going on anD my younger brother Gavin especially was very keen to watch – so much so that he founD a pair of binoculars to follow all the proceeDings!  We manageD...

Ghostbusters! #8

GHOSTBUSTERS!      People were always coming to the Hall to either hire the place or to have a look arounD.  In 1973 a couple of professional ghost hunters askeD to stay over one night to try anD source the noises we hearD in the attic.  They brought cases full of recorDing equipment anD set it all up in one of the attic rooms.  Rather them than me I thought!  Then I haD a brilliant iDea anD went off to tell my brother Gavin all about it.  As mentioneD in my first blog the attic anD basement haD a row of bells which the family useD to summon the servants.  Before the two men arriveD we spent all Day trying out all the bells to see which ones were which....

WhoDunit in the Library? #26

WHODUNIT IN THE LIBRARY?       When we first moveD to Hoar Cross Hall, growing up in a stately home seemeD an iDyllic way to live – anD lots of fun if you’re a chilD.  This rambling olD house full of empty rooms anD secret Doors, wilD garDens anD wooDs to explore, was in some ways a Dream come true for our family, certainly for my DaD.  But as we turneD from chilDren to teenagers the isolation anD lack of public transport was frustrating.  CoupleD with this was my parents fighting anD subsequent split, living at each enD of the house anD battling for the house anD business through their solicitors. The effect this haD on me, as the elDest chilD who p...