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Summer Balls and Garden Parties #97
Posted by Viv Wilson on 25th June 2025 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall spa hotel,barons eden,downton abbey,my dad bought a mansion,champagne,garden party,summer ball,ballroom,ball gown,London,midsummer's eve,new year's eve,Meynell,laughton estate,period drama,history,barings bank,Sir Alec Douglas Home,memoirs
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...
Summer Balls and Garden Parties #57
Posted by Viv Wilson on 2nd June 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell-Ingram,Midsummer's Eve Ball,New Year's Eve Ball,County Ball,Bridgerton,Downton abbey,London,Berkeley Square,laughton Estate,gardens,Alec Douglas-Home,Barings Bank
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'...
The Kitchen Maid's Story #36
Posted by Viv Wilson on 23rd January 2022 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,Highlands,Scotland,French,Rolls Royce,laughton
If you were young, free and single – oh, and very well-to-do – the 1920s were the decade to be a part of. The upper classes had lots of time on their hands and enjoyed post-First World War delights such as the theatre and jazz clubs.
Not so for the lower classes, in particular a young girl who was to become the kitchen maid at Hoar Cross Hall in the 1920s. The ‘depression’ after the First World War brought stark poverty to her home and many like her. Her name was Jean Rennie, and she was extremely intelligent having won a scholarship to Glasgow University to study French and music. However, the £5 bursary she got was taken by her father and used to buy...The Kitchen Maid's Tale #41
Posted by Viv Wilson on 8th February 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,laughton estate,rolls royce,ducks,glasgow university,second world war,London,Spa Hotel,Butler,debutante,the season
If you were young, free and single – oh, and very well-to-do – the 1920s were the decade to be a part of. The upper classes had lots of time on their hands and enjoyed post-First World War delights such as the theatre and jazz clubs.Not so for the lower classes, in particular a young girl who was to become the kitchen maid at Hoar Cross Hall in the 1920s. The ‘depression’ after the First World War brought stark poverty to her home and many like her. Her name was Jean Rennie, and she was extremely intelligent having won a scholarship to Glasgow University to study French and music. However, the £5 bursary she got (equivalent to around £250 in today's mo...
Huntin', Shootin' and Fishin' #6
Posted by Viv Wilson on 13th July 2020 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | Meynell,hoar cross hall,laughton Estate,bats,meynell arms,pheasants,hounds,fishing,gun
HUNTIN’, SHOOTIN’ AND FISHIN’: Most stately homes have the obligatory hunting, shooting and fishing and Hoar Cross Hall 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 drinks, usually s...
The Kitchen Maid's Story #37
Posted by Viv Wilson on 21st February 2021 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,servant,lady dorothy,first world war,Glasgow University,Rolls Royce,1920s
THE KITCHEN MAID’S STORY: If you were young, free and single – oh, and very well-to-do – the 1920s were the decade to be a part of. The upper classes had lots of time on their hands and enjoyed post-First World War delights such as the theatre and jazz clubs.
Not so for the lower classes, in particular a young girl who was to become the kitchen maid at Hoar Cross Hall in the 1920s. The ‘depression’ after the First World War brought stark poverty to her home and many like her. Her name was Jean Rennie, and she was extremely intelligent having won a scholarship to Glasgow University to study French and music. However, the £5 bursary she got was ta...