Story Search Results

the Chapel #68

Continuing our series on the rooms that were open to the public during the 1970s at Hoar Cross hall, we find the Garden hall and Chapel leading off the Long Gallery at the east end of the house.  This private chapel was a later addition to the hall and was designed by G F Bodley, the gothic revival architect, and completed in 1897 at a cost of just under £1000.  the walls have a fine linenfold panelling and the ceiling is richly decorated.  Many houses in days gone by had their own private chapel and it seems that before the chapel was built, services had been held in another room of the house.  I would imagine that Emily Meynell wanted a proper consecrated...

Summer Balls and Garden Parties #97

Balls and functions held at Hoar Cross hall were lavish affairs, especially before the First World War, with the catering and other services invariably being provided by premier London companies.  In 1907, Gunter & Co of Berkeley Square, London, could supply a Ball supper and refreshments for ten shillings (50p) a head, plus 'extra services'. For a Ball Supper in January 1913, Mayfair Catering, Grosvenor Square, assured Lady Mary Meynell that they had engaged 'a superior staff of tall waiters' to attend her guests and, “.....if waiters are desired to be in Full Dress (silk stockings) the additional cost will be five shillings (25p) per man.”  they als...

the Halifax Estates - Garrowby #46

Hugo Meynell-Ingram and his wife Emily Charlotte built Hoar Cross hall to be their home after getting married in 1863. Emily was the daughter of Sir Charles Wood, 1st Viscount Halifax who owned considerable estates in the north of England. their wealth came from the discovery of coal on their ancestral estate. In addition to this Sir Charles had a very successful political career, owning many seats in Garrowby and Pocklington near York; Hickleton near Doncaster and a home in Belgrave Square, London. He was a member of the Whig party, which in those days was likened to the Liberal party of today and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1846-52. In the 1850...

Alice - the ghost in the mirror #28

ALICE – the GHOST IN the MIRROR:     (Based on true events)    In 1865 Lewis Carroll wrote another story about Alice following on from ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It was called ‘Alice through the Looking Glass’. In this story Alice climbs onto the mantlepiece over the fireplace in her lounge and finds that she can climb through the mirror into another world which is reversed, just like a reflection. Once again, she encounters strange figures in a world dominated by a chess set and nursery rhyme characters, among others. But what inspired Lewis Carroll to write about a little girl having lots of adventures? In the 1850s Charles Dodgson (Carroll’s rea...

Skools out for Summer #16

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. 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 seventies 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 was for boys only at that time. When we were at the hall it was a mixed home and run by a husband and wife couple. they used to...

Skools out for Summer! #58

When Hugo and Emily Meynell built Hoar Cross hall they also included on their estate kitchen gardens, greenhouses, stables, a farm and cottages. 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 seventies 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 was for boys only at that time. When we were there it was a mixed home and run by a husband and wife couple. they used to have fetes t...