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Summer Balls and Garden Parties #57

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.  Tea dances became popular in the 1880s but Balls with a supper included were also very popular amongst the aristocracy, especially if it was a 'coming out' Ball.  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'...

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...

Victorian Fashions #95

...es! Many Balls were held at Hoar Cross Hall during this era and ladies would wear the latest fashions as they danced in the Ballroom.  When we lived there in the 1970s and 1980s we often had dances and Balls, especially on Midsummer’s Eve and New Year’s Eve.  People would hire the Hall for charity events such as the Red Cross Ball or weddings so the Ballroom got plenty of use as people danced around the parquet floors. The Ballroom with dresses on display   As the Hall was open to the public during the summer months, my mum would display her collection of Victorian dresses around the house.  These were very popular and people would donate dresses...

The Grand Opening #5

...vents and Balls. We had a Red Cross Ball, a Hunt Ball, A Midsummer’s Eve Ball and we always put on a New Year’s Eve Ball to which 400-500 people would attend. Being a young teen I was allowed to go to these events and would dress up in a long ball-gown – usually a friend from school was asked to come along and stay over to keep me company. I always found them very exciting and loved that moment when we were all dressed up waiting for people to arrive, the house all clean and polished and fires lit (depending on the time of year). The band would be setting up in the Ballroom and the caterers would be putting the finishing touches to the tables. As the eveni...

NEW YEAR JINKS #26

...NEW YEAR JINKS The New Year’s Eve Balls 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, would pipe in the new year with his bagpipes.  Down the Long Gallery he would slowly walk and into the Ballroom  with hi...

The Grand Opening #5

...vents and Balls. We had a Red Cross Ball, a Hunt Ball, A Midsummer’s Eve Ball and we always put on a New Year’s Eve Ball to which 400-500 people would attend. Being a young teen I was allowed to go to these events and would dress up in a long ball-gown – usually a friend from school was asked to come along and stay over to keep me company. I always found them very exciting and loved that moment when we were all dressed up waiting for people to arrive, the house all clean and polished and fires lit (depending on the time of year). The band would be setting up in the Ballroom and the caterers would be putting the finishing touches to the tables. As the eveni...