Wonderful Childhood Memories

A Memory of Eddisbury Hall.

I grew up living at Eddisbury Hall Cottage in the late 1940s early 50s. My father, John Morgan, worked for Pete Hermon, owner of Barracks Fabrics in Macclesfield, as Chauffeur/Gardener. The Hermons had a daughter, Judy, who was only six months younger than I, so we became great friends.
We stayed at Eddisbury until Pete Hermon died and the house was sold. The small estate was a community of its own. It had to be, particularly during the hard winters. 1947 was very bad. We had to make sure we had enough provisions in and bread had to be baked. Judy and I enjoyed the snow and I remember walking together down the lane and straight up to the roof of an unoccupied bungalow, leaning against the chimney pot as Mr Hermon took our photo.
It was a privileged life as Mr Hermon was a great outdoor sportsman, fishing and shooting being his main interests. Always plenty of salmon, pheasant, partridge and grouse available. He also had an office in Paris and I remember watching for the car headlights to light up my bedroom when my father collected him from the Airport knowing there would be a 'treat' of beautifully wrapped chocolates waiting for me in the morning.
When we first arrived at the Hall there were two maids, a cook and butler and dear Miss Still who was Mrs Hermon's Companion. Being involved with the silk trade it was a tradition on Christmas morning for the staff to go into the lounge to choose a silk dress length. My Mum was a superb seamstress so I had some lovely dresses as I got older.
There were always some interesting visitors one being Bryan Forbes, the film director who was pestered by my little Scottie puppy jumping on him whilst he was trying to sunbathe. Another was the then famous 'Super Model' of the day, Barbara Goelen. Also a dinner guest was Lord Rupert Nevill. At the time of his visit we were sort of staff. It was always difficult to keep staff. In those days young people didn't have cars and we were quite a way from public transport. The problem was solved as my grandmother was staying with us and as she had been in service, showed my mother how the pheasant should be presented with the head sewn on and how the salmon should be dressed. His Lordship was most impressed and asked to meet the cook!
Checking in The National Trust Archive, I found the Hall was once owned by one John Morgan. My father would have loved to hear that.
I can't tell you what a surprise it was to see my old home is now rented out. It would be lovely to stay there, but it's a long way from my home in West Cornwall, so maybe I'll just keep the memories!