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Gardeners' World at Hoar Cross

...at of the groom, always a ‘Mr’. When the Meynell family left the Hall in 1952, the head gardener was Mr Robert Madeley.  A lot of hard work went into the upkeep of these grounds and gardens, enough for 28 men and boys, and you can certainly see that when you look at the old photos from that time (see previous blog ‘Life below stairs’).  By 1950 the number of servants had reduced to three or four, and the outside staff comprised a head gardener and three under-gardeners – a sad end to the glory days of the Victorian age.   Don’t miss next weeks’ instalment:  The Hall: World War II and beyond If you'd like to follow my story from the beginnin...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #20

...at of the groom. Around 28 people were employed on the grounds.  Two young boys were employed just to sweep the pathways and were known as bothy boys.  The most common of all male servants was the gardener as they were responsible for producing all the fruit, vegetables and herbs which were used in the kitchens as well as keeping the lawns and hedges tidy.  Grass was cut by a horse-drawn mower, although this was the chauffeur’s job surprisingly.  The kitchen garden also supplied the house with flowers and during important functions at the house they would bring across masses of palms and pot plants to decorate the rooms.  Home Farm supplied the estate wi...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs

...at of the groom. Around 28 people were employed on the grounds.  Two young boys were employed just to sweep the pathways and were known as bothy boys.  The most common of all male servants was the gardener as they were responsible for producing all the fruit, vegetables and herbs which were used in the kitchens as well as keeping the lawns and hedges tidy.  Grass was cut by a horse-drawn mower, although this was the chauffeur’s job surprisingly.  The kitchen garden also supplied the house with flowers and during important functions at the house they would bring across masses of palms and pot plants to decorate the rooms.  Home Farm supplied the estate wi...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #39

...at of the groom. Around 28 people were employed on the grounds. Two young boys were employed just to sweep the pathways and were known as bothy boys. The most common of all male servants was the gardener as they were responsible for producing all the fruit, vegetables and herbs which were used in the kitchens as well as keeping the lawns and hedges tidy. Grass was cut by a horse-drawn mower, although this was the chauffeur’s job surprisingly. The kitchen garden also supplied the house with flowers and during important functions at the house they would bring across masses of palms and pot plants to decorate the rooms. Home Farm supplied the estate with as much...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #18

...at of the groom. Around 28 people were employed on the grounds. Two young boys were employed just to sweep the pathways and were known as bothy boys. The most common of all male servants was the gardener as they were responsible for producing all the fruit, vegetables and herbs which were used in the kitchens as well as keeping the lawns and hedges tidy. Grass was cut by a horse-drawn mower, although this was the chauffeur’s job surprisingly. The kitchen garden also supplied the house with flowers and during important functions at the house they would bring across masses of palms and pot plants to decorate the rooms. Home Farm supplied the estate with as much...

Hoar Cross Hall - Life below stairs #19

...at of the groom. Colonel Meynell in his car - c1920   Around 28 people were employed on the grounds. Two young boys were employed just to sweep the pathways and were known as bothy boys. The most common of all male servants was the gardener as they were responsible for producing all the fruit, vegetables and herbs which were used in the kitchens as well as keeping the lawns and hedges tidy. Grass was cut by a horse-drawn mower, although this was the chauffeur’s job surprisingly. The kitchen garden also supplied the house with flowers and during important functions at the house they would bring across masses of palms and pot plants to decorate the rooms...