Story Search Results

Anyone for tennis? #62

With the summer season well and truly upon us and Wimbledon in full swing, I thought a blog about tennis might be in order!  The game of tennis first started in the Mediaeval days and involved hitting a ball with a bare hand and later with a glove.  By the 16th century the glove had become a racquet and the game had moved to an enclosed playing area and the rules had stabilized.  This was known as ‘real tennis’.  The word tennis came into use in English in the mid-14th century from French, via the Anglo-Norman term Tenez, which can be translated as 'hold', 'receive' or 'take', a call from the server to his opponent indicating that he is about to serve....

Anyone for tennis? #96

With the summer season well and truly upon us and Wimbledon almost here, I thought a blog about tennis might be in order!  The game of tennis first started in the Mediaeval days and involved hitting a ball with a bare hand and later with a glove.  By the 16th century the glove had become a racquet and the game had moved to an enclosed playing area and the rules had stabilized.  This was known as ‘real tennis’.  The word tennis came into use in English in the mid-14th century from French, via the Anglo-Norman term Tenez, which can be translated as 'hold', 'receive' or 'take', a call from the server to his opponent indicating that he is about to serve....

Moving Into a Mansion #67

...’d play tennis in the Ballroom – I’m not sure if my parents knew we were doing this but it was good fun while the room was empty – it was incredible that we didn’t do any damage to the large ornamental pieces hanging from the ceiling!! And so the summer rolled into Autumn and we were about to start our new schools.  I was moving up to secondary school having passed my 11 Plus and was going to the local Grammar School in nearby Uttoxeter – well I say nearby but it was actually about 10 miles away and I had to catch a double decker bus to get there.  At least the school bus hadn’t been cancelled!  My brother went to the local primary school down...

Gardeners World at Hoar Cross #36

...as also a tennis court to the side of the house near the Beech Walk which would have required constant mowing during the summer months, as it was well used.    "Anyone for tennis?"  - 1920s style!   One of the family told us that back in the early days the head gardener was pushed around in a wheelchair when he was older, inspecting the lawns – apparently if he saw a weed amongst the grass blades he would tell one of the gardeners to pluck it out straightaway! Emily Meynell Ingram employed a Mr Rowley especially to carry out her plans of planting the yew hedges, of which there were many. At each side of the garden was a long walk bordered by yew he...

Moving in - to a stately home! #2

...Overgrown tennis courts at the Hall And so the summer passed as we got used to our new living conditions. We lived on the first floor where the caretakers had been as these were the only rooms near to a working bathroom and small kitchenette. I sometimes wonder how my mum coped with a young family in such conditions – my younger brother was only 2 years old and it was my job as big sister to look after him so my parents could get on with sorting the house out. Of course we were always exploring the grounds as there was so much to see. The woods at the front of the house had a little pumping station in them and we discovered two huge ponds nearby. We found o...

Moving Day Arrives #2

...’d play tennis in the Ballroom which was probably the size of a tennis court! I’m not sure if my parents knew we were doing this but it was good fun while the room was empty – it was incredible that we didn’t do any damage to the large ornamental pieces hanging from the ceiling!! And so the summer rolled into Autumn and we were about to start our new schools. I was moving up to secondary school having passed my 11 Plus and was going to the local grammar school in nearby Uttoxeter – well I say nearby but it was actually about 10 miles away and I had to catch a double decker bus to get there. At least the school bus hadn’t been cancelled! My brother w...