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Rags to Riches #14
Posted by Viv Wilson on 1st July 2022 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,Italian,Derby,first world war,second world war,Bridgerton,Downton Abbey,tony blackburn,Michaelangelo
Before we moved to Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire we lived in Derbyshire. My family originated from Derby and my parents were married there in July 1952. Mum was 19 and dad was 36 so quite a bit older. They both lived in Derby and were very arty; my dad went to the Derby Sketching Club in his free time and my mum attended art college. I’m not sure where they met but it was either at something art related or at a dance, as was usual in those days. My dad was a sculptor by trade; I think his interest was sparked by seeing all the beautiful alabaster in Italian churches during the war. After the war he set up his own business making alabaster lamps, bowls and...
A Christmas Haunting! #34
Posted by Viv Wilson on 23rd December 2022 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Meynell,alice through the looking glass,alice in wonderland,Christmas,Library,The Crown,Downton Abbey,ghost,haunted
The typewriter keys clattered away as Viv wrote her story. It was coming along nicely and she was feeling pleased with herself. The attic room that she and her brothers had made into their ‘den’ was ideal for getting away from everybody and having some peace and quiet and she quite forgot about the time as she lost herself in the plot. Suddenly she looked up and realized how dark it was getting; the December nights were pulling in and it was already quite dusky by 3.30pm. Quickly she packed her books and folders away and prepared to go downstairs. How she hated being up in the attics when it was getting dark as it was so spooky! The wind was starting to howl...Rags to Riches #63
Posted by Viv Wilson on 18th July 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,meynell ingram,mediaeval banquets,Boer War,first world war,second world war,louis martin,derby walk of fame,olympics,Jamaica,The Meynell Ingram Arms,Downton abbey,The Crown,Bridgerton,Tony Blackburn,Radion 1,michaelangelo
My family originated from Derby and my parents were married there in July 1952. Mum was 19 and dad was 36 so quite a bit older. They both lived in Derby and were very arty; my dad went to the Derby Sketching Club in his free time and my mum attended art college. I’m not sure where they met but it was either at something art related or at a dance, as was usual in those days. My dad was a sculptor by trade; I think his interest was sparked by seeing all the beautiful alabaster in Italian churches during the war.
My parents on their wedding day - 1952
After the Second World War he set up his own business making alabaster lamps, bowls and candles...
Moving Into a Mansion #67
Posted by Viv Wilson on 15th July 1970 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,barons eden,hoar cross hall spa hotel,bonnie prince charlie,oliver twist,Council tax,donington park,mallory park,silverstone,downton abbey,meynell ingram,Meynell ingram arms pub
As summer turns to autumn my thoughts have gone back in time to 1970 when my family moved house at this time of the year - not to any old house, but to a 70-roomed stately home in Staffordshire! The whole process of moving was done over the summer months as we lived about 20 miles away in an old vicarage with a large garden and lots of outbuildings. This house was about 200 years old and they say Bonnie Prince Charlie marched past it on his way to battle back in the day, for all you history buffs out there! Actually I love history and I think my interest was fuelled by living in these historic houses as a child. My dad used to be a racing driver in the 1...
The ghost of Christmas past #73
Posted by Viv Wilson on 15th December 2023 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,hoar cross hall spa hotel,barons eden,Christmas,alice in wonderland,ghost,Victorian,library,Meynell,my dad bought a mansion,ballroom
Another Christmas story in the run up to the festive season - it may send a shiver down your spine! (Based on true stories)
The typewriter keys clattered away as Viv wrote her story. It was coming along nicely and she was feeling pleased with herself. The attic room that she and her brothers had made into their ‘den’ was ideal for getting away from everybody and having some peace and quiet and she quite forgot about the time as she lost herself in the plot. Suddenly she looked up and realized how dark it was getting; the December nights were pulling in and it was already quite dusky by 3.30pm. Quickly she packed her books and folders away and prepar...
Ghouls Galore! #85
Posted by Viv Wilson on 17th October 2024 in Growing Up In a Stately Home | hoar cross hall,Barons Eden,my dad bought a mansion,amazon,history,stately home,ghosts,haunting,ghouls,attic,Victorian,Christian,halloween,pagan,spiritual,Library,mirror
Going to sleep in a big old house is quite scary when you’re young but going to sleep in a big old house that’s haunted is even more scary!! As we approach Hallowe'en my mind has gone back to that first winter at Hoar Cross Hall and all the scary things that happened - and that was without any trick or treaters in those days! We quickly realised that we weren’t the only inhabitants of the house. Every time there was a windy night I could hear a window banging in the attic – all night long it kept me awake. The next day I would go upstairs to the attics to close it but there would be no windows open or even loose. They were all tightly shut as...