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- 1 9 2 8 -

The New Year saw my family in Notts. at the Manor, Veronica my grandchild
with her Hogarth grandparents, Charlie is at Wath in Nidderdale where Patrick
and family, and Ed\'lard and Monica \'lere at Christmas. W. Leonard is in Rome
and Arthur and family and Harry in Australia. Harold and Nell and Dick in London.
lam afraid with the bad colliery prospects Muriel must let Langar for a couple
of years but to-day (Sunday) I take my housekeeper to her parents at Thoroton and
then on to Langar where M. and-my two nephews, "Funny" Ha\'lkins, our pretty Texas
girl, and Tomlyn late of the Guards. Barbara Bayley, a handsome 19 year old
girl 6 ft. high from Elton. I returned at 6, snow being drifted in places
and threatening fog and thaw.
My circumstances fairly_good and this year am £1000 richer than 12 months ago,
but I doubt my doing much this year as the sale of Widmerpool and the Hexgreave
estate being made a family company will take two agencies and its fees from me.
Still, Sir H. Seely's 6000 acre estate came back 18 months ago to fill a gap.

Mon. ,2nd Jan.

Margaret came from the Manor where she and Sandy are staying to say that
they were skating at Oxton yesterday afternoon and that the Prince of Wales was
there with a team of the Belvoir Hunt to play a S, Notts. team under Capt.Sherbrooke.
S. Notts won easily. The Prince enjoyed himself mightily. Mrs. Dudley Ward and her
children were there and a party of 50. \Vhen the eldest Dudley Ward girl is 18
the Prince will not be "out of sight" and it will be curious if he married her.
I said to Gervais Milward if his Jerry married Angela the situation would be
picquant. The Prince was shy as a boy of 17 and Mrs. Dudley Vlard \'las the only
lady he dare call.on and he has been constant ever since. We none of us think
there is more than friendship, she is passionless and devoted to her children
and he is in the Charlie Birkin family circle able to enjoy domestic life~_freely,
it is never announced he is staying there and his farm is near at Lenton on the
Trent bank. Lord and Lady Chas. Bentinck were there with Mrs. Cecil Wray
Milward and the Prince are getting quite an intimacy. The Prince's manners most
unaffected and natural.
Tues. ,3rd Jan.
To Winkburn to see Major Burnell and lunched there. Cyril Walker, Rector
of Avesham and Kelham came in. To· Norwood Park afterwards and took Starkey to.
Halam to see the sewage works and later called at Oxton where Capt.Sherbrooke.
\'leds. ,4th Jan.
At home. Margaret's pony came.
Thurs. ,5th Jan.
Sandy riding my Starlight, Margie· and all· the Bourne party I saw off for
a ride" "Foot and Mouth" preventing hunting. Milward and I to Bledworth to meet
a R.D.C. party as to a tip for ashes, miners are most waseeful of their coal and
a big provision required. Snow deep in drifts on the high ground in spite of four
days thaw and rain. Heavy floods. Mrs. Jolland's supper party for self, the
Gordons and Milwards. Her pretty daughters there.
1.. /7 :ZB!
Fri. ,6th Jan.
A great. gale and trees dO\in in all directions. I lost glass in peach house
and a window.
Sat. ,7th Jan.
The roads in many places impassable from trees blown across. In London a
. leap tide met the flood of the great thaw and the Thames broke over the embankment
. at night and many drowned in their beds in Westminster.
Sun. ,8th Jan.
Cycled to Hoveringham Hall and met the Dowager'Francklin in Gonalston.
In the afternoon Sir J. Nall motored me to Linby Colliery where a shed over the
screens had been blown down fortunately while the workers were off having lunch
or it would have been disaster.
Mon. ,9th Jan.
To Nottingham and lunched at the Club and afterwards met Bream a big
tenant of \iashingley who wants to give up· farm to a Mr. Sanders. The old Friary
is nearly dO\in. I had an office in it once, the.outer walls were those of its
chapel, converted into a house in 16th century it was the.home of Manners,
and Dorothy Vernon after her flight from Haddon Hall; time of Elizabeth.
Tues. ,10th Jan.
Rode at 9 to 1;linkburn for the meet of' the Rufford."Foot and Mouth" having
stopped hunting south of the Grete by an absurd order. 10 from our side. Bournes,
Sherbrookes, Francklins, Seelys, Geo. Gibbs and pretty Mrs. Taylor. I went to the
Hall to see the Major. The Prince of Wales came to the great excitement of that
little village. Good sport though squally round by Caunton and left at Cheveral Park
at 2 for home. .
~B.Brs. ,12th Jan.
By car with Belt to Newark to settle Winkburn maintenance claims off Tax
and then Balderton and back by Knapthorpe.
Fri.,13th Jan.
To Nottingham to tea with my grandchild Veronica now with her Hogarth grandparents
Sat. ,14th Jan.
Sandy and Margaret ride out every morning now, he on my Starlight.
Sun. ,15th Jan.
To the'Manor Park to see Margaret riding and then I to church and to the
Rectory after.' Mrs. James had not been well and her daughter there. Mrs~APpleton
had a mishap nearly killed her.
Hon. ,16th Jan.
Margie left the Manor for London, taking Veronica on her way. I to Winkburn
Hall to see Major Burnell. '
Tues. ,17th Jan •
. To meet the Rufford at Hockerton, a(rar~~ party from We1beck, Lady Titchfield,
Lady Victoria Wemys, Countess Clary Causti~';Aa'''eOnstant winter visitor), and her niece
Countess R~se de Baillet (Belgian). Found at Cheveral Wood and fast all over grass
2 large circles to Musham Wood and thence to Kelham Hills. Bahk by Micklebarrow Hill.
3.
To Cheveral Park again where I left the hunt going on to Winkburn. Rode home with
Miss Brodhurst of Upton who lives partly by making and selling houses and farming
though she and her two sisters have something of independent fortune.
Weds.18th Jan.
To Nottingham by. bus.
Fri.,20th Jan.
The South Notts were able to hunt aa'the F. & M. restrictions were lifted .
from the corner of the county by Newark. So to the meet at Stoke and found at
Lady Masham's cover, running a good ring and through Stoke Park. to the Woods
and Syerstone over the old battle field. Stoke, belonged to the Bromleys,baronets,
the 2nd son Admiral Bromley sold it for death duties after 2 centuries of ownership
and it was bought by Sheldon a wealthy farmer.
Sun. ,22nd Jan.
Going to Church met young Bechworth who motored over and 2 friends Paul
and William (7) and going also so brought them in for dinner at one. Bechworth
is of a family now in Devonshire, his mother a Chichester and nearly related
to the Gordon Lennox family, he is at Players Imperial Tobacco factory, the
policy now being to enter public school boys of good family to prepare for the
direction of big business. Thus Hon. John North is at the Staveley Co.,married
pretty Muriel Hicking whose father is rather parven~ut the other daughter
married a Willoughby of Lord Middleton's family. I went to t ea at the Rectory,
Mrs. Appleton and her boy still there.
Mon. ,23rd Jan. "
Rode as far as Baulker farm and Oxton North Gate.
Tues. ,24th Jan.
To Nottingham.
\'Ieds. ,25th Jan.
Rode to new Gunthorpe Bridge to meet Haller the designer and Sir Launcelot
Rolleston on some details.
My sister-in-law Edith Champneys came to stay the evening, she is Inspector
under some Social Service job I don't approve of.
Thurs.,26th Jan.
To meet our hounds at Portland Oaks and after a run to Stoke left.
Pretty Lady Petersham out and the little \'Iray girl. The Trent at the new bridge
gone down 1 foot since yesterday when it was 1 foot deep over the new roadway
for 300 yards. Never known such a season for rain. Last week 20 people in London
\'Iestminster drowned in their beds by a sudden flood, a tidal bore meeting. the
floods of thawing snow in places 20 feet deep. Snow is still on the S.Do\iUS
in spite of rain and thm.,r 10 days. '
Fri.,27th Jan. ..
. ,-

To Southwell for tge Council. and thence to lunch with the Starkeys at
Norwood.
1+.
Sat. ,28th Jan.
Rain, rain, so to Nottingham to see "Rookery Nook" at the theatre matinee,
a most amusing play and a comedy of manners with farcical situations.
Sun. ,29th Jan.
I to Langar Hall' leaving my housekeeper at her 'home at Thoroton.' I found
Muriel in bed, she goes to a nursing home tomorrow,suffering from a diseased
kidney, it may be possible to save her. Her loss would end a key to my generation,
she and Polly gone, none other of the sisters-in-law could be such a centre for
the family gatherings. I went to church and Mrs. Wray was at lunch. She a pretty
woman, reduced to poverty she started a milliner's shop and so successfully she has
educated 4 children well, ultimately her son comes into the Bourc~r Wray baronetcy
of Tawstock, Devon, and the dormant old barony of FitzWarren. Sir Dennyis' Bayley
over, Willie Randall and the 2 boys in the house. I left Muriel with some fear
it might be the last visit. We were a united family of 10, sons. In 1887 my ;gather
succeeded to a most embarrassed though considerable estate and we carried on with a
professional income never over £1800 in a year and 10 to educate. ~ienty years
after we computed the total family income ~t £17000, one third from property. We
had as good a home as any for 15 years after, till death began to scatter us.
We werea,lucky family in the War, not 9ne of 6 even wounded.
Mon. ,30th Jan.
A fine morning and to Winkburn walking over some of the farms and lunching
at the Hall at 1. The Major gave me a brace of woodcock. John Wilson and Richard
Francklin to see me at 5. Wilson kept me 2 hours, that Hexgreave estate is in such
a mess, and the wrangling of the family company so much that losing that agency
is a blessing in disguise. John Wants me to go on with him. I pity him, it is
his sisters, the women, that are so ridiculous and unreasonable. The mismanagement
in l~ers, secretary and auditors cost near 3 times greater than my agency.
Tues.,31st Jan.
A fine morning and rode 11' miles to Wiverton Hall to the meet and went in
to see the Ransoms, old friends. Wiverton has some rmains of the old castle in the
house that stood seige in the Civil Wars and the old moat is well defined though dry,
enclosing 7 or 8 acres. I returned by Shelford Manor, another old house that stood
seige and was carried by storm in the Civil Wars. It is moat enclosed about 4 acres,
but it was on the Trent and important as a place of'call for water carriage. Wiverton
belongs to the Chaworth Musters, the Chaworths held the Castle and until 3 years ago
Shelford was still owned by the descendants of the Stanhopes who commanded,the place.
The whole estate recently bought by the Cro\~, no advantage locally.
Thurs. ,2nd Feb.
Motored to Washingleynear Oundle to let Bream's farm at Folksworth to Sanders~
Lady Essex not being at home I did not go to the Hall. It had snowed a~ night and
this afternoon turned to rain. In London it is the 36th consecutive day of snow or
rain. The Public Trustee will view the estate with intent to sell, so it looks as
if I ,shall lose £300 a year from Estate Duties forcing O\iners to sell and this is
only partially restored from £200 a year to me from the Seely agency that returned
to me. By this direct means and by misadvertance through its currency arrangements
under the Bank Charters I impeach our government with endeavouring to ruin me and
the landed interest I have represented all ~y life.
Fri. ,3rd Feb.
To meet hounds at Car Colston, a large contingent from our other wing of
the hunt, out Ld. Petersham and his sister-in-law Miss Seton, the Strutt girls
and the fianc~of one, all girls pretty. Col. and Mrs. Checkland, Mrs. Marshall.
We did not find till after a long trot to Colston Bassett and a good run ending
at Cropwell Hoe Hill when I came home with the Sherbrookes. Mrs. Bourne told me
of Sandy's promotion to Capt. 3rd Grenadiers, also at the old Grenadiers Nottingham
Dinner last Sat. at which the Prince of Wales was present. Sandy who is Vice-
President said the 2 men he was afraid of were his C.O. and his father. The
Prince asked Sandy to present his father. "Why is he afraid of you, don't you give
him enough money"? This ,.. as accidentally a shot homE! •.
Sat.,4th Feb.
Rain all day so kept at home and to tea at the Rectory.
Sun. ,5th Feb.
The Rector away so few at church. Walked over to Gonalston Hall for tea 'with
the Frnncklins.
Mon. ,6th Feb.
By car to Newark and Balderton Hall where I met Mrs. Hardy. I put up a fox
and her Alsation nearly caught it. '
Tues.,7th Feb.
Rode 12 miles to meet hounds at the'Lime Kiln Inn at Cropwell Bishop, 1 mile
from that village and just on the edge of the wild Wolds. Found at Colston Bassett
and ran to Wiverton and back. Found again at Owthorpe and left them,leaving Owthorpe
Borders for the Vale, being 12 miles from home.
Weds. ,8th Feb.
Summoned to meet Humbert Flint at Washingley, so by car there, having 2nd
breakfast at Stamford. Met Lady Essex just leaving and a talk with her and with
H. & F.' round the estate for reporting I expect to fix a price for sale.
Thurs. ,9th Feb.
Long and Ryder of the Forestry Office to settle formal terms for See1y's
Lease to them of 1200 acres in Sherwood Forest. Riding after.
Fri. ,lOth Feb.
Riding to get off my stiffness after Tuesday. Several to call and at 4 John
Hodgson-Wilson on Hexgreave affairs.
Sat. ,11th Feb •.
Geoffry from Langar for lunch with a better account of his mother. He has
dined with Margaret and Sandy, also at Monica' s, Edward having gone to Madeira
and Col. Chas. and Annie to go voyage round Africa. Geoffry is turning out a
very reliable business man both as regards his directorship of Gedling Colliery
and his London motor business. I have a great respect for him.
Sun. ,12th Feb.
I went in the evening to see, Margie who stays there and Sandy there also.
~,
Mon. ,13th Feb •
. To Winkburn to lunch with Major Burnell after going to Knapthorpe and walking
through the Park Springs \100d, ·the rides impassable for walking.
Tues. ,14th Feb.
Gervase Milward motored me to Ragdale for George Hubberty's funeral. Last
Wednesday he had a fall hunting with the Belvoir and his chest crushed in.
It was only last Tuesday I saw him with theSe Notts and two weeks at his
house at Car Colston. He was Col. S.Notts (Hussar) Battery and it was a military
funeral. The Petershams and Miss Seton (his sister) there, who "..ere staying at his
house at the time. Close to the church is a remarkably fine Hall of Elizabeth's
time, then Earl Ferrers, but now only part occupied as a farm house.
\oJeds. ,15th Feb.
Riding \·,rith the Manor p~rty. Capt. Sherbrooke, Sandy and Margie.
Thurs.,lbth Feb.
Car to Ruddington arid returning fortunately looked in at the Club to find it
was time to move in Col.Seely's election for the County.Council.
Fri. ,17th Feb.
To Ra~dale to see Col. Seely and then to Lambley to see the Rectory arid .
Gledling to see Collishaw to get nomination forms filled up. To the Manor to say
goodbye to Margaret, she leaves tomorrow. Sandy has gone to Pirbright.
Sat. ,18th Feb.
A pleasant morning in old Blidworth to get a nomination paper for Col.Seely.
The village is on a ridge and the views across the old forest country superb, it is
the centre of Robin Hood legends and the episodes of thomballads are chiefly in
its immediate neighbourhood. Fine and dull.
Sun. ,19th Feb.
A perfect spring day and the prospect of settled weather. The rains have
been continuous for 2 months or snow and frost and violent winds.
Margaret suddenly appeared this evening and had not gone to London, and sat
with me 2 hours.
Mon. ,20th Feb.
To meet hounds at Cropwell Butler and surprised to find Margaret and Capt.
a
Sherbrooke riding Manor pony so· she rode with me 2 'hours and left at Owthorpe
borders to get her motor and left for London. .
For the rest of the week I busied myself with Col. Seely's election for County
Council and got him in unopposed, running round Gedling and Lambley, \oJoodbro, Calverton
and Bledworth the constituency~
John Wilson obtained a tenant, Bealby, for the large Lower Hexgreave farm.
Poskitt playing the fool with a pretty little minx, his wife left him to his debts
and he filed his petition.
On the Saturday I walked over to tea with the dear old Dowager Francklin and
talked 2~ hours. Lady NaIl her daughter came in and asked me for lunch on the
\'le.
Sunday and I went.
Hon. ,27th Feb.
To Wmnkburn to see Major Burnell and had lunch there.
Weds., 2Gth Feb.
To meet hounds at Cropwell Butler, found near Tollerton and ran hard to
Owthorpe Borders where I left.
Thurs.,lst Har.
To the Town Planning Committee -in Nottingham and taking Clarke's car did
several calls and was -back by 1.30 to go with Milward to met Bromley at
Sherwood Lodge about sale of windfall trees.
Sat. ,3rd Mar.
I left for London staying at the Chester Hotel close to Margaret's house
in the Square. Saw Monica, sister-in-law, of whom the family are. fond and talked
of Edward's folly leaving her. He 52 and a minx of 26 the siren. Dinner after to
the "Yellow Mask" at the Carlton theatre at the HaYmarket. Had to get out in
Lower Regent St. owing to a traffic jam and not likely to get on for half an hour.
After to the Kit Kat for supper and to see the dancing. Molly Dowson from Woodbro
we sa\'1.
Sun. ,4th Mar.
Margaret and I to church close to her house in Chester Square and after to
Hyde Park, the day so lovely and the hottest March day on record here. 1050 in the sun.
The Park a mass of people but no fashion as 20 years ago. Moliie Bridges noted the
many cars had Tooting, Balham or suburban number plates. The Jack Firths to lunch
and as Sandy said I gave an historical resume of the world extending over 1000
million years. The fact was I was resisting the Darwinian theory from geological evidences
which do not support it but are absolutely contrary.
With Margie and her children to tea, Susan will be pretty and as for Veronica
she is as always a dear •.
Picking up Sandy at the Guards Club we went to the cinema, the Constant Nymph.
Mon. ,5th Mar.
To see Humbert & Flint about offering Washingley to Lady Essex and they think
£30,000 would be accepted, the gross rental is £2500 and netts about £1600. It cost
the Robertsons £116,000 on a gross rental of £3400. . .
A fog in the city, I got into bright sunshine at St.James's Park and after
getting £5 at the R. Automobile Club called and found Harold and Nell in at Victoria
Square. Harold has £4000 offered for his house on 11 year lease. It cost him
£1800 for 15 year lease. It is tempting. After seeing Margie and Mollie Bridges
off .to Ranelagh I went to the Tate Gallery and left for home at 5. Lady Allendale,
formerly Violet Seely, spoke to me or I should. not have recognised her, a pretty girl
is now a handsome woman. Got home and dined at 8.
Wiles. ,6th Mar.
Marshal+ with his wife and daughter called in car and \oJe to Winkburn to mark
timber. Hounds were there and we saw much of them. The Duchess of Newcastle came up
to talk to me and pretty Lady Titchfield was out. At one a talk with Major Burnell
and we returned by Norwood Park and saw Starkey.
 \Veds.,7th Mar.
I rode to the meet at Tilthby Guide Post. S. Notts ,and a rather large field.
We drew blank till we got to,Wiverton and a fox broke for Cropwell and round by
Fern covert back to \Viverton and then hounds raced him into the Belvoir country
leaving the field behind. I stopped a~ Langar Hall to see my sister-in-law Muriel
and we discussed the split between Edward and Monica. Rode back,by Colston Basset
where I came on Capt. Greenwood whose honse had broken a blood vessel, and so home
'12 miles.
Thurs.,Bth Mar.
To Balderton and let the 90 acres with no homestead and to the Hall to see
Mrs. Hardy. We spoke of the bad influence the Charles Birkin set has .on the
young people about and their extravagance.
Fri.,9th"Mar.
To the meet at Bleasby, found at Thurgarton and round by Gonalston and
, ran out of scent on the Epperstone Hills, when I home horse slightly lame.
John Wilson and the Bealbys at 6 and got the Bealbys to sign agreement for
the large Hexgreave farm. John stayed to dinner.
Sat. ,lOth Har.
Heavy snow fall at night and a great contrast to last Sunday when we had
summer heat, a record for March in London. We'had intended to lunch with Lady
Essex at Washingley 60 miles off but did ~ot attempt it. '
Mon. ,12th Mar.
The snow is very deep all over the east side of England.
Tues.,13th Mar.
To the meet at Oxton but the snow was thawing so after a try it was given up.
'.I1hurs. ,15th Mar.
The snow gone except on Holy Hill range, our local alps. Mr. Long, District
Commissioner of Forests to see me about lease of part of Sherwood estateC1200 a.)
and sold him existing plants for £509. Sandy, my son-in-law, came to stay and
Margaret follows on Sunday.
Fri. ,16th Mar.
To the meet at Red Lodge, B miles, with Sandy. After a run Sandy had to go
home owing to trouble with boots on a hurt leg. Mrs. Milward had a toss and I
returned with her to Red Lodge where she got a car and I home.
Sat. ,17th Mar.
Molly and her child Patricia and my nephew Leonard from Langar for lunch.
To tea at the Rectory. '
Sun. ,18th Mar.
By car to \Vashingley for lunch with Lady Essex and her son Lord Maldon,
leaving my housekeeper Emily at her home at Thoroton. A lovely warm Spring day.
It has been "March many weathers". Called at Thoroton returning and had tea'in
the Whitehead's cottage and then to call on Mrs. W. Ransom at the Hall. Margaret
had arrived when I came back.
Hon. ,19th Mar.
To the meet at Oxton and after trailing round the estate found at the Park
Wood, where Sandy broke a leather. We ran slowly over the hills to Thistley Coppice.
I left at Halloughton Wood.
Tues.,20th Mar.
To Winkburn to see the Major and to Knapthorpeto view repairs. Returning.
I on to Mapperly to view a farm in Carlton and had a hunt to find it, so behind
new buildings. I remember being able to bring a fox from Carlton a clear line
over this country to Gedling Wood, 2 miles, not a house nearer than Sneriston
and no railway in Gedling.
\'I'eds. ,21st Mar.
To meet hounds at Thurgarton and found in the Gorse, good scent in cover
but none outside, cold east wind. It was the same at Halloughton Wood and
Thistley Coppice where did get a slow run. into Epperstone Park' .\vood and had
hard hunting in it. At Plowman \'lood found also and away, but thinking the fox
had gone back most of us home, but Capt. Sherbrook and Sandy had a good
run of an hour round by Woodbro, Lambley to Gedling Wood, scent having improved.
Sandy and Margie left to stay with Wellesley Colley at Car Colston Hall for
Barrowby (Belvoir) races tomorro~, where they lunch with the Master,Marshall Roberts.

Thurs. ,22nd Mar.

To Nottingham and back at 1, a nasty lot of notices to quit, farming is in
low water, not a colliery or steel and iron works but what is working at a loss.
Fri. ,23rd Mar.
A long ride. in my beloved Park Woods. Margie and Sandy returned to London,
he to go on to France, the old war zone, on a staff tour.
Sun. ,25th Mar.
Walked for tea at Gonalston, a good looking young man,Gamble, from Retford.

Hon. ,26th Mar.

To Lunch at Norwood Park and stayed for the timber sale which was poor.
Tues.,27th Har.
To the meet of the Rufford and left \ at our Park \vood at 4, good scent in
cover, none outside. The pretty Countess Rese du Baillet from Welbeck out.
\veds. ,28th Mar.
To Nottingham for our last directors meeting old Gunthorpe Bridge.
Thurs. ,29th Mar.
To the meet at Fiskerton Paritt, kennel huntsman with hounds, no scent
out of cover.
Eri- ,30th Mar.
To the meet at Lambley, few out being Grand National Hunt day. Found at
Hoore's Gorse and ran hard for a mile and to ground. .
I" •
Sat. ,31st Mar.
In uniform (blue) to the A.Coy. Dinner, 8th S.F. at Nottingham Arboretum
Rooms, but first to see my dear grandchild Veronica with her grandma at the Rope
Walk. A large number of officers at the dinner.
Sun.,lst Apr.
Called to see the.Bournes and tea at the Rectory.
Tues. ,3rd Apr.
On returning from a long ride from hunting south of Trent I heard Margaret
with her baby Susan and nurse \vere to arrive which they did. in a fuw minutes and
the worst news.
Weds. ,4th Apr.
. To the Income Tax Commissioners at the Shire Hall and was Chairman.
Thurs. ,5th Apr.·
Mrs. Homberger came in her fine motor with her sister Mrs. Firth and
taking Margaret, myself and lunch to Oxton for the Pj;. to Pt. races. The
Prince of Wales came, won the Sailors. Race and ran 2nd to Filmer Sankey in
another. It was a fine afternoon and the fine views delighted John Firth
who had come. with the Hogarths. ~vo broken
a.r. .collar
.. bones. Col. Frank Seely
was on a pony•. Margaret went to stayl\the Manor.
Good Friday, 6th Apr.
I went to early Litany and again at 2 to Church and spent a quiet day
and in poor spirits. I had a talk with Mrs. Bourne and agreed M.must return.
Sat.,7th Apr.
To the meet at Thurgarton•. Margaret also rode with the Bournes and we had
a good day. The Prince of Wales turned up when we ran into Thistley Coppice
. the first time and from the Belvoir Col. and Mrs. Paynter, Mrs. Kell Femvick
and the Hon. JoanLaycock, now Green,all, the last two much in pursuit of the
Prince. .
Easter Sunday, 8th Apr.
To early Service where Hargaret \-/as and at 10 she and I left by car for,
Langar Hall, dropping my housekeeper at her home. We both went to Langar Church.
Muriel was in bed but up for dinner, she not well and leaves in a week for
London for the Ope to take out a kidney. Willie Randall. Leonard had been at
Lavender (Francklin) Seely's small dance on Thursday, select of 16, but the
Prince turned up and about· 10 others from Leicestershire. .
Easter Monday, 9th Apr.
Rode to Hexgreaveto lunch.
Tues. ,10th Apr.
Margaret as persuaded returned to London. I trust all may be well yet.
My little grand-daughter Susan, 16 months, promises to be very pretty •.
11.
Fri.,13th Apr.
My 66th birthday and in the same house I was born in. Dreamed of Polly and
my father and mother last night and wonder if.dreaming means near neighbourhood.
Margaret came back to collect her family (Veronica and her nurse are at
the Rope Walk at the Hogarths) and to return next Tuesday. She hopes to get a
'house out of London when Sandy is atPirbright and near him and in October the
Regt. go to Aldershot. I shall miss my London house and to think in 1926 to the
end of Feb. 1927.was one of the happiest years and most prosperous in my life,
so for once I felt something of confidence and joie de vivre, and now much overcast.
The incessant rains of a year have nearly·"done in" farming. By sales to pay death
duties I lose the agency of 2 fine estates.and had not Sir H. Seely's estate come back,
I should have been anxious of present income. Muriel's illness, the-coal trouble and
all the country's staples working at a loss. The governments no 'wizard, indeed it is
government policies that have dogged me with difficulty all my life. I was in
Nottingham in morning.
Sat.,14th Apr.
..
Margaret went off with the Bournes to Rufford Point to Point where the Prince
was riding and won twice. I walked over to Gonalston Rectory for tea with the Baldwins.
Sun~ ,15thApr.
To church but Margaret did not go and we spent the rest of the day at home.
Cold east wind the last'3 days.
Mon. ,16th Apr.
No fair at Southwell owing to F. & M. Lunched at Norwood Park and after to the
Saracen's Head and to the auction of grass keeping and made 2~~ to ~~ over last year.
On arrival home Mrs. R. Francklin in motor told me Col. Frank Seely had just died.
A local disaster for he was highly esteemed. I lose a friend. ' "
Tues.,17th Apr.
Margaret collecting her 2 children and nurses left me for London. -With such
luggage we took Clarke's bus and Mrs. Hogarth met us with Veronica at Victoria Station.
On to Beeston and called on MiSS Percy at the Manor House, now near 80, but very young
looking. Her sisters constant visitors with my grandmother and mother 50 years and more
ago. To Dr. Cole's house and saw his wife to persuade to buy what is left of the
Hurst property.
''leds. ,18th Apr.
To Newark at Larken's office for Nicholson's meeting and got ~. Charlie
'expected home from his round Africa trip on Monday.
Thurs.,19th Apr.
To Col. Frank Seely' s funeral at Daybrook. Service in that large church which vias
full. Walked with Dr. Willoughby. Admiral Bromley just behind. Leaving I took Thornton
(}~s. Seely's brother) and his sister-in-law of Wollaton to Rabnsdale Park. .
Fri. ,20th Apr.
Rode to Southwell to the District Council and to the annual dinner at the Saracen's
Head.
Sat., 21st Apr.
To Margot Birkins wedding to Capt.Baker at Ruddington in that fine church, the
reception at the Grange, Sir Stanley Birkin's. .
12. .
·.I had tea in company with Ml's.Frank Abel Smith ,,,,ho was Miss Seymour and still
a pretty woman, and Mrs. Tryon, who was Esther Bromley of Stoke, her home is in
B. Columbia. These functions are pleasant in meeting old acquaintance whom one
has not met for years.
Sun. , 22nd Apr.
To Church and the Rectory after. Mrs. and Mr~ ~ppleton there, hea solicitor
in Lancashire where so many old families are Romanists. Says the title deeds of their
estates are constantly through his hands and often 3-4 and even 5 mortgages all in hands a~
in favour of priests who have these families in their hands. In opening an institution
some years ago' the Duke' of Norfolk presiding, surrounded by priests, seemed under'
restraint. No doubt the new death :duties play into their hands, for an estate is a
strong social bond and it is observable fhat the R.C. gentry retain their's ~ no doubt
the priests lend at low interest and'the.rest can be,got in "meal and malt".
Mon. ,23rd Apr.
Rode Starlight to Winkburn and lunched there.
Weds.~ Apr. ~S"~)
To the citation of churchwardens to appear at St. Mary's of Nottingham.
Thurs. ,26th Apr.
Riding by Oxton bogs to'Syke Breck and back. Margie haslet 39 Chester Square
for 3 months at £15 per week and taken, a house at Merrow To~lgate near Guildford
to be near Pirbright during the military training.
Fri.,27th Apr.
To Linckers farm. at Ruddington about adding 2 rooms , went by train from .
Nottingham, a perfect spring morning. Lincker is a prosperous farmer, had his big
potato crop last year to sell and price now £9 to £10 per ton and a wheat stack over 50/-
Sat. ,28th Apr.-
Walked over for tea to Gonalston with the Dowager Francklin.
Sun. ,29th Apr.
~unched at Hoveringham Hall with the NaIls. They g03 months to Manchester
to nurse the constituency. Cycled home and to tea at our Rectory.
Mon. ,30th Apr.
Rode over to Oxton to value stock. I am afraid those of the Seely family whose
income is secured on the colliery will have none at all for a longtime.
Tues. ,1st May.
~im Seely will stand an election fob the County Council to succeed his father,
he and his wife have £3000 a year secured outside the colliery interest.
\veds., 2nd May.
To Nottingham, lunched at the Club and then to the Shire Hall in conference
between Nottingham Town Planning and our Highway authority, Sir Lancelot Rolleston
presiding.
I 3.
Thurs. ,3rd Hay.
To Bledworth to get support for Jim Seely. It is 7 miles and out of the way
of our valley and I remember it, and indeed till 12 years ago, the loneliest yet
lovely country about Nottingham. Yet the two new colliery villages near it are quite
pleasing and the country around wide and wild. I was fortunate in getting good
collier support, Lenton, secretary of the new Union, Tyler, secretary of the
working men's club, and also leading Wesleyans. 58 years ago I was at school at
Mansfield, a little residential country town. Mrs. Hall of Park Hall called for
me for a picnic at Rainworthto meet my grandfather and his party. Trout was caught
and grilled for lunch. There was no railway, only a bus. A farm and 4 cottages and
now 3000 people. '
Fri. ,4th May.
Lunched at the Club, getting Seely's printed notices going and then Harrison
of the Land Office motored me to Gonalston Hall for tea and a pleasant saunter with
Edward and Dick Francklin discussing the new bye-pass road. I act for the estate
in this.
Sat. ,5th Hay.
Jim Seely came to lunch and motored me to Bledworth where spent a successful time
getting support.
Sun. ,6th May.
Perfect spring and so to early church at 8. After breakfast a pleasant chat
with Capt.Gordon and to church and with Mrs. Bourne in the Hanor Garden talking
over the Jolland affair and also Margaret. I sympathise with Mrs. B. in the 'Jolland
affair as Mrs. J. has had a malicious and dangerous tongue against her for a long
time past. Jolland is a connection and a home steward and as they refuse to apologise
and are altogether silly, it cannot be patched up readily. Jolland can't get another
job and has lost private fortune of £11,000 or more in speculating with that rascally
Jew Moreton Mandeville so called when he might'have had the best financial advice with
Bourne or Nash.
I went up to tea also where were the Hogarths and Sherbrookes. Epperstone looks lovely
but it tempts strangers by car to invade us instead of our aristocratic isolation of
years ago \'ihen the whole village was a family party, \'ie at the Hanor and the Champneys
at the Rectory.
Hon. ,7th May.
As I had to see the ironstone workings at Eaton I took in Clark's car my housekeeper
and maid for an outing, calling at Langar Hall, and coming by Emily's home returning.
A fine day and good views.
Tues. ,8th May.
As I had undertaken James Seely's County Council election I attended 2 meetings
at Calverton and Woodbro in the evening. We are opposed by the agent for Morris Cass,
who 16 years ago was a blacksmith at Oxton and Morris his man, whose millions have been
made since. '
Weds. ,9th May.
To Nottingham to meeting of Income Tax Commissioners.
/4 .
Thurs. ,10th May.
To Winkburn and in the evening to Lambley. Yesterday we had meetings at
the colliery villages.
Fri. ,11th May.
To the Gedling meeting.
Mon. ,14th May.
A fine cold evening, we had 3 meetings at Bledworth.I am struck by the pretty.
new houses and lay out and the really beautiful girls in this colliery district,
8 miles from here.
Thurs. and Fri.
. s .
I had audits at Epperstone and Farnfield.
1\
Sun. ,20th May.
Col. Bailey and his brother came over in the afternoon.
Mon. ,21st Hay.
By car to Washingley 70 miles and had lunch with Evelyn Countess of Essex
and after an audit at Folksworth put up for the night at Norman Cross where
I met an agreeable companion, a large Lincolnshire proprietor, Smythe of Elkington,
whom I had seen about 35 years ago and we had much talk of men and places. He
motoring after the meet of otter hounds (Bucks) -and was at Staunton, Notts. this
morning.. Returned home next day.
Weds. ,23rd May.
My nephew Leonard and a Miss Hales motored over and as I was talking to
the Rector at the church gate·announced their engagement.
Thurs. ,24th Hay.
By car to Winkburn to see Hajor Burnell, Belt with me to make out the Farm A/C.
I walked all round by Mather Wood. .
Fri. ,25th May.
To the Southwell audit with Belt' and \'lales. \fuilst talking to Starkey in the
street a lady came up in whom I recognised Mrs. John Holden, formerly of Nut~all
Temple. \ve had not seen for years. She was a Hiss \'1alter of "the Times" •.
Called on James at Grant House and with him through his large well kept garden.
Sun. ,29th May.\fuitsun Day.
To early church and a bright morning. At 10 by car to Thoroton where I left Emily
at her home and on to Langar in time for church. Huriel came down for dinner.
Geoffry was at home and Leonard and Hargaret Hales.
\fuit Honday, 28th May •
....
A fete day at Epperstone, a camp of about 70 8th Sherwoods on the Range. I met there
General Harrington who had the same 139th Brigade in the War on the crossing of Canal du
Nord at Bellenglise,' "the most dramatic episode of the war". I had tea \·lith-Mrs.
Tucker and a friend and in the evening to-see-our village cricket and the sports.
Whit Tues.,29th May.
I spent at home as a holiday. My horse is n ow at grass.
Thurs.,31st May.
Sir Hugh See1y's audit at my house.
Fri~, 1st June.
To Nottingham to the Bank. I received my War Loan dividends and this
quarter my expenses do not exceed my income from property.
Sat., 2nd June.
To Nottingham for the last meeting of the old Gunthorpe Bridge, declared
2~~ dividend and 2~~ bonus on shares, my share here £170 or so beside the £480
already received.
Sun.,3rd June.
To tea with the Dowager Franck1in and John Hole of Caunton came in. Last
Thursday was according to the pyramid people to .begin the last Tribu1ation and
if not so dramatic as the sudden crash in 1914, there is sufficient disturbance
in the fall of Pekin and the Balkan riots to warrant probably disturbance for
years, even if it come not our way. Ba1dwin's new Bank Act passed that day
and as the Pyramid man said it would be an Economic crisis there are sufficient
seeds in the Act to ruin the world.
Tues.,5th June.
By car through Newark where I called to see Char1ie to Fenton and walked
over the awful House farm, good land but the homestead 1 mile in the fields
and the road dreadful. Lunched with A1dersey at the Hall. His uncle Royds has
a large estate. Called at Ba1derton Hall and tea with Mrs. Hardy.

Thurs.,7th June.
The Thoroton Antiquarian Society to C1ifton Hall where Col. C1ifton gave
us tea. Seeing Miss ~aunton she introduced me to her parents, they hold Staunton
by tenure of Castle Guard at Be1voir where they have a tower •. I introduced them
to Col. C1ifton, remarking that they two were about the last of the pre-Conquest
families to hold their original lands. The others I knew were the Wi11oughby's,
Lord Middleton driven from their Notts estates by death duties lately. The Suttons
of Avesham done out of their estate by the Govertment during the War whilst its
owner was fighting in France. The estate was mortgaged and some Jew holding
notes of a former owner pressed the Government to take over the estate for sugar
development at a price to clear the debts only. The LOrds Cromwell, descendants
of Thane A1uric of Knapthorpe and Cromwe11 are still owners in Yorkshire but not
Notts. C1ifton has much of the old house left, many rooms being panelled in
the style of James I, the gardens are old and interesting with superb views across
the Trent which runs just under the cliff here.
Fri.,8th June.
To Oxton for the audit. I think the 98th I have attended, 2 a year.
Sat.,9th June.
To Nottingham with rents and tea at the Rectory.
lb. ( '19-8 J

Sun~,lOth June.
Miss Browne and her pretty young cousin came to dinner at 7. She has taken
Edison's shanty for a time, rather pretty and mostly out of a railway carriage with
verandah and "s t oep" with some of the'prettiest views in the village from it.
Tues. ,12th June.
By car with my clerks too Ruddington for the audi t - called on Enfield, Seely' s
solicitor, in Low Pavement passing through Nottingham. Frank Seely's estate will
pay some £70,000 estate duty and as most is in losing collieries his widow and 2
girls have to go into ~10 a year cottage and live on means from friends , nota'
penny of income' as the Revenue seizes all profitable assets. Moscow could 'not do
better. Until the general strike Col.Seelycould rely on £25,000 a year of income.
Sir Hugh Seely se~ls all his Isle of Wight property for the same purpose and has
an uncertain income left and yet for a century past their wealth immense, often
over £100,000 a year of, income. ' '
Mrs. Nicholson" s pretty farmhouse was our venue and after a good audi tone
of her excellent teas and,home at 5.
Weds. ,13th June. '
To Winkburn to meet Col. Challinor and see Major Burnell ,(Smith Milnes
his legal name on getting the Derbyshire estate). Challinor and I lunched
together and we great friends. Afterwards at the Major's request we each
chose a keepsake of Miss Burnell and I took a 18th century t ea caddy.
Fri. ,15th June.
To the Council at Southwell now superBi housed at Dunholm Prebend, surrounded by
a fine garden and nearly opposite the Minster. Then to Norwood Park to seeStarkey
and to, dinner with the Milwards.
Sat. ,16th June.
To Nottingham to meet Sir Stanley Birkin at our club (the County) and he
wanted me to let his Park at Ruddington to Shelton. I looked after his Toton,
estate some years till we sold it after the War for over £90,000. Tea at Rectory.
Sun. ,17th June.
To Church and after to the Manor to see Mrs. Bourne for news of Margaret.
She asked me for tea where the Hogarths, Sherbrookes of Oxton with Lord Harris
all old friends. '
Mon. ,18th June. '
With Belr to Winkburn for the Audit and to see Major Burnell.
Tues.,19th June.
With Milward motored 8 miles to Bledworth Colliery, a new one with perfect
head works and a well laid out village, and saw Jackson the Manager and part owner,
a nice young fellow.
WedS.,20th June.
To Newark for the audit wPich I hold in the Saracen's Head,overlooking the
market place, gay with people. Called on myoId friend Mrs. Branston at the Friary.
Mon. ,25th June.
Commenced a most delightful holiday. The weather so far cold but sunny in
the day time, rain at night. I motored to Victoria Station,Nottingham, 12.30
and arrived at Winchester 4.30 to day with my late1 wife's cousin Katie Spencer
and now has staying there her daughter Kitty and husband, Dr. Neligan and little girl.
Madge is at home and with 2 motors at command will see the country.
Tues. ,25th June.
Walked to St. Cross to see the Matrese picture and talked long with Digby
Morton, one of the Beaufort foundation for poo~ gentlemen here. In the afternoon
Kitty motored me many miles by Stockbridge.
\'leds. ,27th June.
Kitty motored me to Salisbury, we went by Romsey. We went over the Cathedral.
Here a group interested, among whom an Eastern of most aristocratic look, about 30.
Ki tty who knows the near east well thought might be Arab. Though swarthy he \oJas of
the highest Greek type. After lunch we motored to Stonehenge and when among the
stones impressive enough, but approaching from the east the view is so overpowered
by the huge aerodromes close by as to make the circle look like a group of pebbles.
Back at Winchester a moving pageant through the streets most entertaining
and in aid of the hospital, many of the gentry taking part. It was in groups such
as "Merry \'lives of \'lindsor", "Midsummers Nights Dream", "Cinderella.", "Queen Elizabeth
and Court", Lady Grantley's Chinesse Empress and suite good as her collection
of clothes and armour from the Summer Palace great. Very striking was Charles II
and his Court, all mounted entering Winchester as 250 years agQ and the King so like
his portraits and with the old houses and street as to give one a turn. The Queen
very pretty and stately in long green habit and ermine but when I saw her after as
a small bobbed-haired Miss Sybil Grant she looked insignificant. Indeed the old
costumes floating up the High Street was most graceful. .
A pretty group this fine evening were 8 half-naked girls dancing, the procession
halted at short intervals to act little parts and these girls had short skirts .
half way down the thighs, bathing drawers under, bare arms and bodices cut to
show half their bodies nearly to their waists. I was with Madge and we beguiled
ourselves with ices.
Thurs.,28th June.
I visited the Cathedral and thoroughly expiored the \'lolvesey Palace, making
qu~ the plan of William Rufus Castle which must have been fine, with 2 or 3 floors
of reception rooms in the centre. The Charles II palace by it is being restored
to house Bishop Woods now.
With Katie Spencer viewed the Pageant again in the High St. this afternoon
and then on to Dog Show and Fair in the new Park where also the' moving pageant
ended and dispersed. .
Fri.,29th June.
My favourite day at the Eton and Winchester Match on the College grounds,
an English scene only to be seen in England. Eton made a great stand for 304 but
were out by tea time. In the afternoon my dear daughter Margaret joined us with
Patrick's wife Molly, and Margaret's friend Lettice, engaged to Colvin in the Guards
and our really beautiful girls attracted much attention of which I was very proud.
"Budge" Firth one of the masters and Margaret's cousin by marriage gave us tea.
The day windy but fine and sunny.
Sat.,3Oth June.
Hadgemotored me to Hamble where instead of going to the match we joined
Tweedale Heaby, our Clerk of Peace in Notts, on his yacht Havis. Before going
aboard we ,walked the _planks to see Sir.. Lancelot Ro1leston' s yacht in dock. It
is going to pieces. We went out with auxilliary motor, passing a huge yacht of
Graham White's. He is on the rocks financially and f~i1ed to se11,she must be
700 or 800 tons. Outside we found half a gale and though we had triple reefed
mai~sail, it was as mucn as we could carry. The breeze' was so stiff the huge
liners coming down from Southampton broadside to the wind had a list on them.
We ran. over the Bramble's sands where a huge chop to Ryde but seeing we, could not ,
anchor in safet1y and any freshening would prevent us coming back, .we he,aded towind~,
the water running out through our.scuppers·and then made for the lee of Calshot where
we anchored and lunched, going up' the Hamble later., We had a sunny day, my usual
''leather luck as there were heavy showers at Winchester. As we left 'a gorgeous sunset
lit up the yacht-filled Hamble. .
Sun. ,1st July.
Hadge motored me 30 miles to Tollgate House at Merrow near Guildford which'
my son-in-law had taken for the summer, letting the house in Chester Square.
I found the children looking well. Susan just finding her,feet and my darling
Veronica brown and,well~ Hiss Wil1iamson, a lady of '0, is now nurse and a lady
is an asset for, a nurse \'lho is in a confidential and equal position. The new
nursemaid a pleasant girl, the "Admiral Crichton" Killick the butler and the,
two original maids here also. Stanley Bourne and his wife from Hindhead in the'
afternoon for tennis.
Hon. ,2nd July.
Hargaret left at 10 with Hrs. Bourne to motor to Porlock in Somerset to see
the rooms taken for stag-hunting in August and then on to Bourne's villa at Salcombe.
So I loafed all day and Killick took me a run on the Leatherhe ad road in the evening.
Tues. ,3rd July •
. To London by train to attend the auction of the \vashingley estate. This estate
of 2600 acres in Hunts cost the Robertsons £116,000 and we had 'only one bid of £16,000
Something has gone wrong with the country. Our reserve is £30,000. I lunched in Pall '
M~Ul at the R.A.C. and called to' see' Haroldand Na.1l in Victoria Square at 5 "There I
met H.J. Massingham whose book Downland Folk I had recently read. He is to send me
.Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. It rained as I walked up from West Clandcin Station in the evening.
Weds. ,4th July •.
By train from Guildford to London and lunched with Sandy who is on guard at
St. James's. Mike Venables-Llewellyn there. Of the three young' officers Lindsay knew
much of Australia, he had been there his mother being daughter of Sir J. and Lady
Clarke of Helbourne. Rosie Jardine is a cousin, she stayed with us lengthy visits years
ago and through the vlilbrahams is connected via' the Stanleys with Polly and thus
Hargaret.~e present Colonel encourages ladies to lunch and four very pretty debutants
came in, one I sat next Margaret Gordon is a niece of Mrs. Warrand of Westhorpe,
Southwell.
Returning early I explored Guildford Castle and the church, now cathedral, and
th~ugh small is a fine piece of transitional Norman.
 Getting home I found Margaret returned from Devon, so my gay exploration
of Surrey in her baby Austin car will commence.
Thurs.,5th July.
With Margaret motored house hunting to Fleet near Aldershot as the Regt.
goes in October, or Sandy' may be on the 1st Guards Division staff there.
We went by the Hogs Back with its glorious views, returning by.a lower road
just north and through Guildford and its streets crowded with motors •.
Sandy back this evening.
Fri.,6th July.
Margaret motored me to Leith Hill to see the view over the Weald. We went
by Albury (Duke of Northumberland) and Shere and I had no· conception the Surrey
lanes were so beautiful. We lunched at Leith Hill and returned by Leatherhead
which I am convinced is Miss Austin's '.'Highburyll in Emma,the Swan Inn is the·
Crown and the. big village still exists though now it has an ugly suburb on the
London Road. A demesne is called "Randalls" and fixes my certainty. If one had time
. we could have fixed "Hartford" .and "Donwell". There is· a fine Georgian demesne
close to the town and a fine place1 though more modern, a mile on the Dorking side.
We got home for tea and to play with the children.
Sat.,7th July.
We went house hunting again to Fleet but the neighbourhood will.not
suit, too close to the camps. We lunched in a gravel pit on the hill behind
Farnham, with fine views over Hampshire to Meon and downs. At Farnham I got
out to look at Col. Perceval's fine Queen Anne House· close by and especially
the happy arrangement of 3 recent and gabled cottages built in thecourtyard~
We went on to Colonel Fowlers for tea and tennis, about· four miles east ,of
Farnham where the lovely Lettice in the becoming scanty'costume of the day.
(Married Colvin of the Guards). .
Sun.,8th July.
Sandy motored me in the afternoon to the Guards Club at Maidenhead and
Margaret followed, here we had tea, the lovely grounds full of parties. M. and I
went off in a punt and later returned to dinner. Sandy went straight to London
and Margaret took me and we rather lost our way for a time in the dark and it
was also raining, though every day yet I have ha~ bright sun though sometimes
cold at night.
Mon.,9th July.
Margaret motored me to London, the run to Surbiton was through a lovely
country and I then expected a town drive through Surbiton and Kingston but
Margaret suddenly swung off to the left into the new bye-pass road, still
unfringed with buildings and we ran through a perfect forest~country under
Coombe Wood, Wimbledon Common and Putney heath, right up to utney Siidge
and the heart of London, a perfect run and I wonder how long it will remain ~o,
our usual English stupidity soon spoils anything. Margaret stopped at Mrs.Bourne's
beautiful flat over Coutts Bank in Piccadilly which has been lent her and I went on
to leave my luggage at St.Pancras and returned for her to take her to lunch at the
110
.J- • .'

R.A~C. Club in Pall Mall and she left to join her cousin Geoffry at the Varsity
Match at Lords and a dance after. I dined on the train and got home again after
a most varied and delightful fortnigh~.
Tues. ,10th July.
I went to the Royal Agricultural Show at Wollaton, the weather had changed
the last fe~ days to a really hot summer such as we had not had for 7 years.
The site was splendid surrounded by woods and 1;lollaton Park and interspersed
with monster beeches. ',-
Weds.,llth July •
. I again went to the Show and walking through Wollaton Park to enjoy this
fine demesne and house now bought by Nottingham John Boot and his wife picked
me up. Yesterday the King and Queen had opened the new university buildings given
by his father Sir Jesse Boot, 'who is completely crippled. Sir Jesse was there
and the Queen had tea with him and drew his attention to her dress as of
\:::J Nottingham lace and she 'said the underclothing is the same. The King and Queen
J came today with the Portlands from Welbeck. The fine show of the grey horses
'"
~ with .scarlet liveries and outriders shows up well against the hearse-like
limousines following ,them. Lord Daltesburyled the way riding, he was Sir Gilbert
J Greenhall, which both names sound super-norman but he is of Jew blood and looks
it, a good model for Surtees Sir Moses Mainchance. How these Jews take noble
Norman names., The heat was overpowering but the girls were all in Ascot frocks
and cool enough and none more lovely than the 2 Francklin girls from Gonalston
who came up to me as I was in the gangway of the grand stand.' The Queen I saw
well and is a very handsome woman. Leaving I met Col. Chas., my brother,and
Annie who motored me to Lowdham. . .
Thurs.,12th July.
Harison the District Valuer came in the afternoon and we went on to
Gonalston to discuss compensa~ion for a proposed bye-pass road.
Fri. ,13th July.
To Southwell for the Council and on to Winkburn to see Major Burnel1
arid tell him of the Eton and Winchester match. I lunched here and called on Starkey,
returning at Norwood Park.
Sat., 14th July.
, To Miss Lynham's dinner party of ladies for there were only 2 other men,
the 2 Players having had to go to a funeral. We are .in the middle of a heat wave
since July set in.
Hon. ,16th July.
.
I attended the meeting of the Blind College in Nottingham and seconded the thanks
to the Chairman, the first time Lord Hayor of Nottingham. The blind are taught trades
and go out but the Institution organises sales which were over £22,000 last year •
. Tues. ,17th July.
My strawberry and ices Tea to the School children, 52. The girls played boys at
cricket and won, fielding well, but the boys had given the girls their two best bowlers
by far. This I guess to secure little Tom1inson, the captain, the bowling for his boy
side, which is inferior.
 .-
Weds.,18th July.
Went to tea with Miss Pearson a near neighbour.
Thurs.,19th July.
To the Town Planning Committee and much pleased Crane the Chairman by
inducing the opposing Rural Councillors there to approve the plan.
Fri. ,20th July.
Took the two maids to view the Eaton Ironfields and looked in at Langar
garden and returning showed them the ruined church at Colston Bassett, weird on
its hill ~ mile from my house and surrounded by the Park. It is large and near
perfect but for a roof and was larger as in the north wall are embedded the
pillars of early Norman or Saxonarcade to a vanished aisle.
Sun.,22nd July.
To tea at Gonalston, and next day to Ruddington.
Tues.,24th July.
Morris t~ lunch and spent the afternoon 'walking over his estate, the
farms on the hills. He has 3 grouse moors and owns one of them.
\'leds. ,25th July.
To Lady Hickings garden party at Brackenhurst and the large gardens in
full beauty. I like these revivals of a pre-war age, you meet your neighbourhood.
3 more in prospect. 5 acres of garden, from lawns, terrace, Roman sunk garden, '
rock and lake. About 100 people and a tennis tournament in progress. I met the
Dowager Francklin and her brother Hon. Cecil Jervis in Gonalston and stopped for
a chat.
Fri.,27th July.
To the R.D. Council at Southwell and then to Fenton and settled with Freestone
the tenant of a farm to continue which saves me much anxiety. Called at Balderton Hall
returning and find Mrs. Hardy and her brother Forman (of the Notts.Guardian) in.
Her husband left £300,000 and over and the Formans are rich.
Sat. ,28th July.
To Winkburn for lunch. Major Burnell decides to restore the stables. On to
Mrs. Holes garden party at Caunton. The gardens fine.
Mon. ,30th July.
To Avesham for the Revd. Cyril Walkers party but spoilt by rain, which was
much wanted after 3 weeks warm and dry.
\·leds. ,1st Aug.
To Gonalston Hall for Mrs.Francklin's garden party for her 2 pretty girls.
Thurs. ,2nd Aug.
Started for a week's visit \.,rith Mrs.Homberger who has taken "Carlton" a large
house on the South Cliff at Scarbro. The skies were cloudless blue till I left
and Crompton who has a house near to said the view across the bay to the Castle
not inferior to the Bay of Naples. Mrs. Hogar~,Margaret and her two children,
my grandchildren Veronica and Susan, made up our party. The place much altered
since my schooldays here 50 years ago. The cliffs laid out in \'lOods and gardens
and full of people, especially loving couples. '
2 2. . I Cl :1-8 ,
Bext morning Margaret walked along the rocks to Carnelian Bay. Sre has a baby
Austin and we spent odd moments running about to the Castle, Mount Mere'- etc.
In my day were 90 sailing trawlers, now gone, all "done in" by steam and the
fisher folk are now mere boatmen and bay fishing which gives no opening for the
young men, indeed there seemed no young people in the old town once so busy. .
The pool and the shore for bathing and woman's form is no mysterynow, running
about in the skimpiest jersey "among. the crowd which would have astonished 50 years'
ago when a girl dropped shyly'from a hooded machine in a voluminous blue serge gown
from neck to heel. Mrs. Hogarth and Margie and I were much amused at 2 well formed
girls posturing and posing to a photographer on the rocks and we walked by them
for ~ mile, but I think the limit was a story I was told. Mrs. Bourne had gone
to Salterford Pool, 3 miles from Epperstone in the forest, and was indignant to
find the little Smith girl from the Hall, Diana Bourchier Wray and 2 young men
in a row on the bank smoking, and except for towels knotted round the waist were
stark naked. Pretty picquant Diana I should have liked to see naked I confess,
both girls of 18 or 19~
. . .
On Sunday morning Mrs. Hom took Margie and myself in her car and I piloted
them to Harwood Moor getting out and walking to the 3 barrows and got a splendid
view for miles over the moors which appeal to Mrs. Horn•.We returned. by Ravenscar.
and Hayburn \'lyke. . .
I called on Charles Hill, formerly of \'loodbro, who has a large house here.
On Bank Holiday Monday we all went to Flambro Head, it was neap tide and Margaret
was fascinated by the coves beyond the lighthouse. The sands gave us entertainment
in the afternoon, so bright with people and colour and the girls in coloured
bathing gear of skimpy form •.
On Tues. I walked with Crompton to the town and to the Spa to drink the waters,
where I stayed some time and left at'2 after a delightful time.

At Sheffield an agreeable man got in who lived in Egypt, evidently a merchant

for iron and steel goods there. His brother is an Asst.Secretary of the Treasury
and has served under 5 Chancellors of the Exchequer. Says Snowden was the best of
them "and knew most of his job, whilst Winston was the worst and most ignorant.
Home at 6.
\'leds. ,6th Aug.
To Westhorpe Hall near Southwell where Mrs.Wnrrand had a party, made a mistake
in addressing Mrs. Hingston's18 year old daughter as Mrs. Bulkeley. I had only
met Mrs. B. 2 years ago and ought to know her.' However I found out the. real Mrs.
BuIkeley and we laughed over the incident. I thought the little Hingston girl
very unresponsive. Her mother there is pretty and was lovely as a girl of 17.
I remember she was a Pleydell-Bouverie and as such connected with my late wife.
Westhorpe Hall is the scene of LeeCh's drawing of a Bow meeting, the 2 girls
in it the two lovely Francklin girls of that day, the subject afterward Dean Hole's
wife (the winner of the bracelet) and the jealous one Mrs. Burna~y Atkins. The boy
on the ground the old squire and the other figures General Warrand and fat old
Midwinter, Vicar of Bleasby. Mrs. Hole was a very good archer so perhaps the
accusation in the drawing that her win was a fluke as she shot with her eyes
shut was a friendly jibe of LeeCh'S at the lady he so much admired.
2.3.
Leech was often in Notts and many of his drawings, especially in Handley
Cross, derived from his visits. He has been at my house as guest of my grand-
father. The drawing referred to was about 1860 and I have an impression coloured
and others in my house. "Lucy Glitters" in "Soapy Sponge", Mrs. Hole was the
mode1 •. Both ladies were lovely girls •
. Thurs. ,9th Aug.
To-day a sad record of deaths of friendS and acquaintances. L4t.Co1. H.
Beaumont-Chec~d I had kno\fn long, a good fellow, also Lt~Co10ne1 Frank
Hodgkinson of Newark for many years with me in the 8th Sherwoodl? Both served
in France and both only 50. Fred Webster, a land agent, Jas. Oakes, 21, killed
in a motor accident I had· met, his father I know well, a big ironmaster, and
Mrs. We1by 83 recalled the days when her daughters were beauties at the balls,
.. great friends of Char1ies. .
As against this Lt.Co1. Basil Bailey's engagement to Miss Corak of the
well-known Leicester family isa re1ief~ All in to-day's papers.
·At Scarbo~Ifound the large house furthest south on the cliff, which I
remember being built about 1876, still occupied by its builder, old A1derson
Smith now about 96. It was first among the neo-ha1f timbered front houses,
his pretty daughters I as a boy had a smiling acquaintance till the stern
parent intervened. Smith was the first to organise the steam trawler companies
that put an end ~o the old fishing smack generally owned by its crew, so he was
among the most hated men here." .
. Mon. ,13th Aug.
To Winkburn to lunch and took my housekeeper Emi1y Whitehead and parlour
maid Winifred Barker over as guests of the housekeeper there. They were delighted
with this fine old place and its little church. Returning, and as Winifred had
never seen a cathedral, we stopped at Southwe11 and she had the surprise of her
life, having no knowledge that such fine.work existed.
Tues. ,14th Aug.
Mrs.. Sherbrooke of Oxton gave a garden party tea for the cricket match
between Capt. Sherbrooke's team and the Free Foresters - it was a good occasion
to. meet a wide neighbourhood andamong others Major and Mrs. Lambe who used to
live at Edmonstowe House.in the Dukeries before that country was dessicrated
by collieries. At Cookg1ade was Lord Liverpool and afterwards George Fo1jambe,
for 7 years Col. of the 8th Sherwood Foresters, and the Hon. P.Byron 1i~ed~at
the sou.~end of the village. My nephew Geoffry playing for the Foresters.
\~eds. ,15th Aug.

Again to Oxton going by bus the 2~ miles and Murie1 bringing me back.
Oxton declared 2nd innings on. 9th wicket giving the Foresters a chance to
make 120 runs in 75 minutes which was done.
Thurs. ,16th Aug.
·To Newark to Tal1ents office to audit the Sewer Commissioners accounts.
By train my 1st class fare return reduced to 2s.ld. from 4s.2d. Se1byand Esam
of Normanton joined with me. Later to the Ladies Party to see the match between
the Free Foresters. and Notts·. Amateurs.
Fri. ,17th Aug.
Sir Hugh Seely to see re finances and told him the gross rental of his
estate here was £4000 a year and £4000 royalties. He has nearly £4000 succession
duty to meet yearly for some time. Robberyl
Sat. ,18th Aug.
Walked to Gonalston to tea with the Dowager Francklin, her pretty grand-
daughter Judy and \'1. James came in. She was a Viscount St.Vincent's daughter and
her daughters are Mrs. Sherbrooke of Oxton, Lady de la Rue and Lady NaIl.
Sun.,19th Aug.
By car to Langar and left Emily W. at her home at Thoroton and called for
her returning at 6. Muriel not well but her boy Leonard there, Miss Pinder,
Douglas McCraith, Major Pat Ashwell and the George Fillinghams of Syerston, .
she a bride, pretty and·from Devonshire, a Miss Ratcliffe. Wonderful clear
air and vlarm but a cloud came at 3 and a regular "tail twister ll cyclone sprout
appeared but twisted and faded, a few drops fell.

Tues.,21st Aug.
In the afternoon came my brother Colonel Charles and his very handsome
daughter-in-law Molly,and we went to see Mrs. Gordon ·in the cottage, my
mother's house, her husband Capt. Gordon (great nephe\.,r "Chinese" Gordon) is
on special mission to Prague for 6 months. Then in came. my neighbour Colonel
Basil Baily who lost a hand in France and his bride-to-be Miss Corah, a nice
woman possibly 28, and I believe wealthy, so we chaffed him much for he must
be in his forties, though young looking.
\veds. ,22nd Aug.
To Birmingham to see the Head of the Ministry of Transport (Midlands),
complains that Treasury dole out money to them very stingerly. I said Motor
Car licence and Petrol duty were voted for road purpose only and should go
at once to the Transport Ministry without the intervention of the Treasury.
Road costs in the country had gone up from 13 millio~ in 1913 to nearly 50
and the two taxes would about relieve the charge on the ratepayers as was only
proper. He said Winston Churchill was the most unprincipled Minister. I instanced
Ll. George but he thought the pupil surpassed the master. .
Spent two hours in the Art Gallery, a fine collection of pre-Raphaelite,
Holm"an Hunt, Millais etc. and the plaster casts of the Arundel Marbles detained
me. Shall we have another Amazon war, the young girl takes to horses now
and is in the main shameless and arrogant even to her ovm sex if older, and
having the vote the politicians will truckle to them as they did to Labour
till the working man for day wage became a veritable spoilt infant.
Sun. ,26th Aug.
To Winkburn to unveiling of a window to Miss Burnell's memory. Dr.Willoughby
and his sister there, we sat in the Hall pew (the old church has the old 18th
century pe~} and then had tea at the Hall. I called on the Dowager Francklin
returning and James of Southwell and pretty Judy came from the Hall.
'-.5. / Cf 2.f{ I

Tues. ,28th Aug~

To Nottingham to sit as Income TaX Commissioner. Edge of Strelley and.
General Sir John Burn Murdoch with me.
Weds. ,29th Aug.
To Ruddington to see progress of addition to Linekers house at the Fields
Farm and then at 5 to Nottingham Victoria· to meet Miss Williamson (M's new nurse)
maid and baby Susan and a pile of luggage. I had the car and the carrier bus for
luggage. Veronica was dropped at Epperstone by her grandmother Hogarth, now all
from Scarbro. Some rain storms.
Fri. ,31st Aug.
Again to Winkburn and lunched at the Hall and witnessed the Major's signature
to transfer to him of £20,000 or more ~ailway stock o~ his late sister. Weather
getting sunny and settled again.
Sat., 1st Sept.
Walked to Gonalston Hall and had tea with Edward Francklin and his wife, girls
away at tennis after a ball last night at Barnby Manor, young Platt's coming of age.
Sun. ,2nd Sept.
Mrs. Milward brought little Ann Williams (~) to play with Veronica (4) and had tea.
Splendid September weather.
Tues.,4th Sept.
Started 8.30 for Washingley, Hunts, 60 miles, leaving Emily at her home at
Thoroton and came for her at 6. Ambrose Cheney is dying of cancer, our. principal
and most excellent man. Stopped at Burghley Park gates and I walked amile up to
the house, that splendid pile, over 300 years old and not a stone decayed.
Marquis of Exeter has 30,000 acres but is not a rich man. His son Burleigh is
champion hurdle racer and is to marry the Duke of Buccleugh's girl. Avoiding
Grantham cut a corner by Denton,from the high ground Grantham spire looked
lovely in the vale and a bright evening sun on it. We have had many periods
of 2 or 3 days each since middle of July when not a fleck is in the sky, indeed
reported not a cloud within 300 miles of England, but the weather vile till then.
Fri.,7th Sept.
To the Council at Southwell and moved no further subsidy for houses, but beaten
8 to 9, it has only increased building costs.
Sat.,8th Sept.
To Non~ood Park garden party and talked for long with Lady Brock the Admiral's
wife, whom I had known for years.
Sun.,9th Sept.
Mrs. Hom (Aunt Kate) and Mrs. Firth to lunch to see the children, Veronica
and .Susan.
Elon. ,lOth Sept.
To lunch with Aunt Kate and met Margaret 5.30 at Victoria after her long round
of visits, Scarbro, Exmoor for staghunting and Sussex for the manuoevres, her house
the rendezvous of 3rd grenadier guards officers.
Tues.,llth Sept.
With M. in the morning by car meeting Sarah Francklin, Lady Brock and little
Daphne..who told us NaIls not yet come so we called on the Dowager Francklin. Heard
from Lucy Champneys that Edit~ is dying. I shall go next week. They are my late
wife's sisters. .
To the Rectory at 5 to Miss James little sittingroom where a young, tall and
pretty French girl now staying with Mrs. Pearson to learn English.
Thurs.,13th Sept.
Lectured to the Women's Institute, referred to an early woman's institute in
Greece over 2000 years ago that became impossible and had to be suppressed vi et
armils. (~Cs).
Suil.16"th Sept.
In Margaret's little car, left Emily my housekeeper at Thoroton, and we
to Langar for lunch. Muriel looks better. Geoffry~ Harold and Nell from London,
Willie Randall and Leonard.
Weds.,19th Sept.
To pay my last visit to my sister-in-law Edith Champneys. Mrs. Pearson
motored me 150 miles to Sutton in Surrey. We started at 6.30, the pretty French
girl with us, breakfasting at Northampton and then by St.Albans, Elstree, over Kew
Bridge, Ham common, got to the house at one in time to see Edith, now in her room.
Lucy looks worn. I talked with Edith -l- of an hour and said my last farewell I fear".
The weather superb we lunched in Richmond Park, the deer around us, and then" to see
the view from Richmond Hill, Germaine was impressed with her first London experience.
Home by the North Road, tea at Eaton Socon near St. Neots and home in the dark at 9,
and all to dinner at my house after 300 miles.
Thurs. ,20th Sept.
To Nottingham Guildhall for a Town Planning Committee and home by 2 bus for
Margaret's party for the 2 childran, the NaIl children and Jim and Angela Bourne.
Sir Joseph and Lady NaIl came, also Grandmama Hogarth and Aunt Kate Homberger
and the 2 pretty Sarah and Judith Francklins.
Sat. ,22nd Sept.
Margaret and I started by car to stay with Charlie and Annie at Wath near
Pately Bridge, left at 11 and lunched at the old Swan in Aberford and after Ripley
went to Fountains Abbey where we stayed an hour and so to tea at Sigsworth Lodge
where Charlie and Annie awa~ted us. I sleep in the genuine Tudor cottage in the
courtyard, with the fine stone even the meanest bu~ngs look noble. Annie and I
to the fairy glen, Charlie and Margie fished in the Caesar's and the Mill pool.3.
Sun. ,23rd Sept.
A lovely morning~ we all walked up to the pretty moor of Sigsworth Crags,
through which flows the Dallow Ghyl. Charlie has some 5 drives on the moor and 300
acres woods to shoot. From the highest point Ilooked over the Dallow Ghyll Moor and the
Vale of York to the opposite east moors. A Major and Mrs. Collins to tea and again
Charlie motored Margie and myself up Nidderdale to Lofthouses. The Yorkes had 15,000
acres here, now all sold and Beverley Hall pulled dO\in and a connection of centuries
sevvered - Death Duties.
2" Mon. ,24th Sept.
19'J-FS,
\1alked up the ,...oods but lunch at 12 and then to the Agricultural Show and
Sheepdog Trials, a very good show and some 12,000 dalesmen and families, but
it is rem~ked we did not see one noticeable girl whereas in Notts each village
can produce 3 or 4. Yorkshire, like Scotland, is more for "braw lassies" than
beauty or even prettiness. I metB~ewster, who so helped the farmers association
to buy this fine park, close to the road, railway station of Pateley Bridge.
He inherited half-a-million from old Fred Brewster of Nottingham. Mrs. Hutton
Croft, he an old guardee, Akroyd boys, and Fergussons among Charlie's acquaintance
all immensely rich. Mrs. Hutton Croft had £100,000 Christmas present last year
from her uncle Morrison. The original Morrison died about 25 years ago worth
over 10 million.
Tues. ,25th Sept.
Margaret and I left the ·Lodge at 10 and ''lent through Harrogate and
'qetherby and lunched at Barnby Moor, Blue Ball, a fine inn and the large room
full of smart people and pretty women, evidently returning from Scotland, over
a dozen large cars outside as we left, and we got home by the Dukeries route
at 2 o'clock. I

Sun. ,30th Sept.

To the Manor for tea where Margie was playing tennis with the Bournes on
the hard court.

Hon. ,1st Oct.

To Winkburn for lunch and returning called at Norwood Park and found
the Squir~in the great 40 acre orchard of his.
\·leds. ,3rd Oct.
·The funeral of Edith Champneys here at Epperstone, the bOd, brought by
road from Sutton. Lucy, 2 nurses came with Violet (Champneys) Mc add~ in her
beautiful car. Commandant (Miss AlIen) and about 10 of her staff cam: from
London and Edward C. Charlie came and I had 16 to tea - a large number at the
church. The day beautiful and the place looked lovely so those from London said
they did not wonder at Lucy and Edith's wish to be buried here.
Fri.,5th Oct.
Hargie after hunting motored me to Nottingham and I went to see the Goose
Fair, first held in the Forest and liked it.
Sat.,6th Oct.
Muriel, Harold and Nell called this morning, and my son-in-law to lunch.
Sun •• 7th Oct.
To 8.15 service, a lovely morning, Edith's grave one flower carpet, 140 wreaths
overflowing Polly's and Ernest's graves. Lunch with Sir J. and Lady NaIl at Hoverirgham.
Looked at the church. The monuments to General Hathwaite and family reveal a tragedy,
he died near 80 in 1851 and before him 2 sons under 20 died and his daughter 21 a
year after, all in 4 years. NaIl's grea~-grandfather bought the Hall from the Exors.
The monument to Sir J. Go~hill*about 1400 and his wife, she a pretty figure and
evidently a beautiful ,,/Oman is in Margaret's descent from Edward I. She was a Fitzalan,
heiress of Arundel and relict of Mowbray Duke of Norfolk. Her daughter married Lord
Stanley and.so through several generations to Margaret'sgreat-great-grandmother,
daughter of a Stanley.
"* . I ,,.. G
~r ~ S t.( d • criAA~ _
'11·' - , r '.
yr R
I _. ~ ~ --
s ,;) 4' ~,~.
. . . :-. ~ k. Ho v~""~ c.~aJ,.! V,I!>.
 Mon. ,;8th Oc:15.
To lunch at Mrs. Hombergers and she afterwards took me and her sister to
see Charlie Chaplin's "Circus". Margaret and I to dinner \vith the Mil\vards.
Tues. ,9th Oct.
Marshall and his wife motored me to Norwood Park apouttimber.
vleds. ,10th Oct.
My horse Starlight is no~ up and I rode to Thistley Coppice to meet hounds.
Thurs. ,11th Oct.
Rode to Watchwood.
Fri. ,12th Oct.
Rode to Sherwood Lodge.
Sat. ,13th Oct.
Depressed my income is likely to be seriously less next year. My ambition being
to keep the flag flying at my good house here that has been the family home a century
past, and is so well furnished with pictures, portraits, silver and old furniture
equal to most with 5 times my income.
S""-""'- .
;;.t. ,14th Oct.
At home with Margaret and her two children.
Hon.,~ Oct. I:;ra..·
. Hunting \vi th Margaret who got' "Mild as Milk" from Piggin, at Plowman Wood,
and found hounds gone but got up to them at Lowdham and finished up at Epperstone
Park.
Tues.,~ Oct. 1k.,to
To Nottingham Shire Hall Agricultural Committee, also my representations about
Gonalston bye-pass have succeeded. Margare_t and children to Langar. I expect
Sandy's groom and horse so there will be 3 horses this winter.in my stables,
which I have not had for 7 years. '
\veds.,~ Oct. IT 14.
Margaret motored Sandy's soldier groom Slater to Long Clawson to fetch Patch,
20 miles away on a lonely road, the Foss. Slater lost his way and was not here
till 6.
I rode to Winkburn to see Hajor Burnell.
Tonight I had 4'horses in stable, it is like old times.
Thurs.~ Oct. 18"?'·
Hargaret on "Mild as Milk", Slater on the grey charger and I on Starlight
to meet hounds at Halloughton Wood and a run. Margaret motored me at 2 to
Hockerton for the ploughing match and hunter show, though it had been a fine
morning it turned to violent wind and rain and Mrs. Bourne's 2 carriages of
umbrellas a great boon.
Fri. ,~h Oct. I ~ 11->.
Rode to the Council at Southwell and then to the Minster but with so many
memorials to those who had been good friends it is rather sad.
"7' 2.0~·
Sat. ~ Oct.
A fine morn and Mrs. Milward rode Patch. Margaret and groom and I to meet
hounds in Epperstone Park Wood. At Oxton dumble a fox took us a neat run to
Roselle Wood but not entering it slipped away over Thurgarton fields to Halloughton
Wood and off towards Southwell and circling landed and lost in Halloughton village. M.
was thrilled. Capt. Sherbrooke introduced me to Lady Ursula Filmer Sankey, the Master's
wife and daughter of the Duke of Westminster, a tall, slight and very pretty young
woman.
Mon. ,22nd Oct.
With Margaret to meet hounds in the great Park Wood and had a good straight
hunting run, missing Roselle wood, through Halloughton wood toWesthorpe Dumble.
Tues. ,23rd Oct.
My two grandchildren left and nurses for London, going in Clark'sbus to
Nottingham where Margaret met us after two monthS stay to enliven me.
vleds. ,24th Oct.
To Ruddington to Gunn's farm.
Sat. ,27th Oct.
To meet hounds at Gedling wood, found and a ring run. Then to Heyman's
Gorse and a run, and left them in heavy rairi.
Mon. ,29th Oct.
To \rJinkburn to see Major Burnell and lunche'd at the Hall and called on
Starkey at Norwood Park returning.
Tues. ,30th Oct.
To meet the Rufford hounds at Rolleston, here I met the bride, late Miss
Coghill, but not knowing which sister was married made rather a muddle of it.
\~eds. ,31st ·Oct.
To meet hounds at Cropwell Hoe Hill and left at C6lston Bassett as they
went away. Carr the Notts cricket captain out. Marg~et's horse came. I have
4 in stable.
!hurs. ,1st Nov.
Margaret and Sandy arrived for 2 weeks hunting, but dined and stayed at
Nottingham.
Fr., 2nd Nov.
I had to attend the Grand Jury at the Shire Hall but Sandy and Margaret went
to the opening meet at East Bridgford Manor, the residence of pretty Mrs. Owen
Taylor the joint Master. On getting home Sandy had arrived but not Margaret whose
horse was home and she had left the Manor in Sandy's motor" so rather alarmed we
took her little car and went to the Manor and no news. Sandy phoned to Langar and
Muriel said she had just left. Mrs. Taylor came iri and the Master, Filmer Sankey,
Lady Ursula F.S. and her sister Lady Mary Grosvenor were there waiting tea, but
we declined and found M. safe at home.
JO.
Sat.,3rd Nov.
A lovely morning and Sandy and Margieand I to ride in the Park Wood.
They dine with the Bournes at. the Manor. This great intimacy there is a great
advantage as also with Elsie Milward, Margie has plenty agreeable society here.
Bourne in Courtaulds must have near £100,000 a year.of income.
Sun. ,4th Nov.
Spent quietly at home going to church in the morning. ' Wrote a note that
the statutory confusion between the circulation and the Reserve in the Bank of
England had been the cause of our social distresses since 1694 and had warped ~
our natural social development and the government should payoff its debt to '
the Bank l~millions so that the Bank would have a reserve of gold for foreign
exchange purposes only. ' ' .
Mon. ,5th Nov.
To the Rectory at 11 with grapes and had supper with them.
Tues.,6th Nov.
Sandy and Margaret came back and stayed here.
\'leds. ,7th Nov.
Sandy and I to meet hounds at Thurgarton and had a fair'day. He, and Margie
to the Rope Walk for the night, he to London for duty tomorrow.
Thurs. ,8th Nov.
A St.Martin's summer day and Margie and I a fine ride by \voodbro and through
the Park woods with much pleasure. The country at its best.
Sat. ,10th Nov.
, Dinner at the Hilwards where a Mrs. Hamil, whose husbands estate:.her husband
looked after before the war. They have Australian interests and now live in
Scotland and I think their fortune may be reduced. Winkburn on Honday
~ , .
and lunched
at the,Hall.
Weds. ,lkth Nov. R CUNt S otcJ.e.,
To the meet at Re4~~a~e and they were drawing the hillside, so I talked a
little with Lady Ursula who had her eldest boy with her and was on foot.
Our second fox was in Heyman Gorse and we ran well by Woodbro, Calverton, .
Rai'nsdale Park nearly to Arnold and back and over \'loodbro Park Farm nearly
to Calverton and out of scent at Woodbro. Here our Epperstoneparty, Sandy
and Hargie who with me and Mrs. Bourne and her family left and through the
Hanor Park home.
Thurs. ,15th Nov. Ro..w,.scl.a.k
An audit at my house, -llailUldalo, Moore's and Epperstone tenants and quite
good, and to Nottingham at 1.
Fri.,16th Nov.
A stormy day and wet and to meet hounds at Oxton, found at once near the
village and \iere running most of the day between there and Edingley. At the Park
\'lood near Epperstone we found and blank draw. \'1. Seely and Lady Ursula came up, the .
Master was in bed and Pavitt hunted well. The field was confined to our local parties
about Epperstone and Oxton which is hunting de luXe, not so the swarm of cliques in
Leicestershire.
31,
Sat. ,17th Nov.
Sandy and Hargie have been at the Manor since Thursday and I saw her
before she started to' the meet of the Rufford at Eakring. I to tea with my
'old friend the Dowager Franck1in. On Sunday dined at the Manor.
~ds. ,21st Nov.
Met hounds at Ro11estonwith Margaret and Sandy~ Het and st<:>rmy.
Sat. ,24th Nov.
To lunch at vlinkburn and called at Norwood Park returning and having
some sort of a chill inwards that caused a swollen face, spent Sunday in bed.
Mon. ,26th Nov.
Motored to Washing1ey and held what may be the last audit at the Fox,
Folksworth for 40 years, the property being sold to Land Jobbers, it cost the
Robertsons 60 years ago £116,000 and has gone for a song of £25,000. However,
with our chief tenants Woodward, Ambrose Chesney and Wilson dead this year
and Lady Essex left the Hall, much of the pleasure I had coming here is,gone.
The fine old cottager fast dying out.
Tues. ,27th Nov.
\valked to see the fine church at Yax1ey and after an audit at Norman Cross
where I stay left at 3.30 for home. It started to rain after Stamford, but had
been glorious fine and mild •
.Weds. ,28th Nov.
Any discomfort and weakness suddenly left me this morning early. I had
slept in my dressing gown to force my skin to act. To Nottingham to the Bank
and at Perry's office found the ,jobber raising a point on Wilson's notice that
might upset the sale. I determined to return into Hunts to-morrow.
Thurs.,29th Nov.
With C1ark who loves these jaunts we set off and after WansfordBridge
took the road to Oundle and searched for Wilson's farm at Pepley near Warmington,
taking a girl from a cottage as guide. We soon settled our business and returned
for tea where I found Sandy and Margaret returned to stay. All the country from
Stamford to Oundle full of fine 16th and 17th century buildings and churches of
great age and beauty. Co1.Proby has a fine house at E1ton.
Fri~,30th Nov.
With my clerks Be1r and Wales to the audit at Southwe11 and I first to
attend the Council. We are to be shorn of most of our powers. Home for tea
after \.,rhich Sandy and Margie left for London. Her horse goes tomorrm.,r and Sandy's
on Weds. and they do not return till Christmas.
Sat., 1st Dec.
To the Shire Hall and presided at the Court of Sewers and home at one and
tea at the Rectory.
Sim. ,2nd Dec.
To early Service. Miss James, 3 Miss Edisons and maid, Mrs. A11en, old
Smith and a young fellow there.
Mon.,3rd-Dec.
Colonel Challinor and his wife to stay the night.
Tues. ,4th Dec.
Showing the Challinors the village - he was in 46th Division artillery in
1914. They left for Winkburn at 11.
Thurs. ,6th Dec.
To sit on Income Tax appeals at Nottingham and sat from 10.30 to 1.30.
The Revenue had a lot.of claims for 6 years back for sums declared but not hitherto
considered taxable, it shows the shifts our bankrupt exchequer are put to. I was
Chairman part of the time and generally refused the. Revenue.
Fri.,7th Dec.
To tea with myoId friend the Dowager Francklin •. Mrs. Edward F. and.
Miss Ferris came in.
Mon.,lOth Dec.
To Ruddington with my 2 clerks by motor.for the audit, good, and Mrs.
Nicholson gave us tea before return.
\veds~ ,12th D§}c.
To the Saracens Head, Newark, for an audit and called on myoId friend
Mrs. Branston at the Friary.
Thurs.,13th Dec.
Rode to Winkburn to see Major Burnell and lunched there. Parish Council
at 7 to arrange the Christmas distribution of our Charity money, we nett £18 yearly.
Fri.,14th Dec.
Sir H. Seely's audit at my house which is a comfortable plan.
Sat.,15th Dec •
. To the Bank with the money. A hard frost as yesterday. Tea at the Rectory •.
Sun.,16th Dec.
Thaw and rain. To morning church.
\'leds. ,19th Dec.
Though frosty for 2 days this day was open and so to the meet at Cropwell Butler
after the Hunt ball. Scent was no good' for the foxes found in Hoe Hill but one near
Owthorpe carried scent and we ran well to Widmerpool Roe Hill and back.
Thurs.,20th Dec.
To the Winkburn audit where the flavour of Christmas always' commences with
its tenants dinner and the mistletoe we bring back. Major Burnell gave me a brace
of pheasants and a brace of woodcock.
Fri.,2lst Dec.
To Nottingham Shire Hall on the Drainage committee where I met Lord Belper whom
I had not seen some years but lately Margaret had been in company with his pretty wife
and they get on well together. To lunch at the Rope Walk where Margaret and her
children arrived from London for a long stay. Home early as it threatened fog but
the moon cleared away that later for the ball (hospital) tonight.
\
33. 11~g.
Sat. ,22nd Dec.
Had tea at the Rectory where the second girl, her husband and boy had
arrived for Christmas.
Sun. ,23rd Dec.
By car to Langar Hall leaving my housekeeper at her parents at Thoroton
for the day. I arrived for church at Langar and at the house besides Muriel and
her two sons and the younger's fiancee Margaret Hales, were Willie Randall and
Harold and Nell all for Christmas, and come to me on Christmas day, and very merry.
Christmas Eve.
The improvement in the King in his serious illness promises a merry Christmas.
I had closed my office last Saturday till next Thursday. I want to the' meet '
at Oxton which was a good one. Rupert Sherbrooke was out and his fianc~e on foot,
I was introduced to. Philip'Barber was out and 3 of his family and we had a good
array of Pink. Willie Seely and,his wife, Dick Frnncklin and his wife, Mr. and"
Mrs. Boot, Greenwood, Lady Ursula Filmer Sankey and Lady Mary Grosvenor. We found
at Coombe Wood and ran down the Vale to Kirklington Station and over Osmerethorpe '
to Halam Osiers, a line with much jumping. Carr, a whip and myself were badly
bogged in Halam Osiers. I got off and my horse floundered up to '
his stafle then rolled over. I thought I should have to rope him out. We came
back to Roselle Wood where I came home hoping for a day on Wednesday.
Christmas Day.
Quite a perfect one, sun shining and a mild air. I went to early Service
and again at 11 where I found Margaret in my pew to my delight. I had a look at
our graves, a lengthening line alas of us Huskinsons andChampneys.
At one my company arrived and we sat down 14. My maids had excelled
themselves and my really fine show of silver looked well.
Present were my son-in-law Capt. Hogarth and Margie, my sisters-in-law
Muriel and Nell and the latter's husband my brother Harold, 'Muriel's two sons
Geoffry and Leonard and the latter's fiancee Margaret Hales, the old family
friend Willie Randall, Sandy's aunts Kate Homberger and Gertie Firth and
her husband and son Budge, a master at Winchester, and myself.
Harold, Geoffry and Willie singly were wittyenough to make any party
go and the combine result was all my company thoroughly enjoyed it.
We had turkey and sausages, sweets, cheese, dessert and wines Champagne,
Burgundy and 2 bottles Cockburn's 1897 port. Coffe; cigars and cigarettes
in the drawingroom.
After some went a walk and many of us to the great room in the Manor Yard
to see Mrs. Bourne's children in theatricals. At the Manor 27 sat downto dinner.
Muriel's party dressed at my house to go on to 11rs. Wrays at Oxton for
the evening and I also went on to Mrs.Hombergers for her family party, the only
stranger Mr. Church the American director of "Boots" that enormous concern.
Boxing Day. ,
I rode to meet hounds at Bingham, the Square being full of people, motors
and horse people. We found in the Car Dyke near Car Colston but the railway
pounded the field and we had to return to the high road and did not get to hounds
till near Granby in the Belvoir country and followed the line about 3 miles beyond.
 5 miles to Wiverton in our country where'Margie and I with
vffi had to return some
the Bourne family left, meeting Lady Ursula and her sister Lady Mary Grosvenor
and friends coming up who had been out of it hitherto.
I had a woodcock for dinner.
Thurs. ,28th Dec.
, " .

" At home and took a woodcock to the Rectory and then found Margie over
from Nottingham. With Knight about thinning the orchard and a walk by 'the
stream and the Manor Park to finish a quiet' day. Lord Charnwoodwrote me on
my congratulations about Antonia, Margie's last bridesmaid to be engaged'
to a tenant, Lady Oxford's nephew.
Fri.,29th Dec.
Rode by bridleways to Southwell for the Council arid proposed we petition
the Peers that R.D. Councillors remain the Poor Law authority as now., On to
Norwood Park to see Starkey and so home.
Sun.,30th Dec.
, Snow and wintry and few at church.
Mon. ,31st Dec.,
Motored to Winkburn and found Major Burnell better, had lunch there and on
to Norwood Park and with Starkey to see the bog forming near Osiers and instructed
Upton how to drain his field. My maids to the New Year's dance at the School and
so ended the old year after good enjoyment and not unprosperous though the Death
Duties begin to play havoc with my business by ruining my employers who must sell
their estates. '
I had never fear of outside enemies, of private enemies I had few if any after
66 years, but my great enemy has been our own government who all my life have
\'/orked for my ruin \'/hic~~ so far escaped, but have care for the future •
. Having bungled the currency in their arrangements with the Bank of England
by which we are undersold in all markets at home and abroad, the government
contrive by quack remedies, doles and subsidies to relieve the impoverished
masses to the ruin of the old gentry.
It is openly commented on that whilst the Prime Ministers of Germany an~
France this Christmas are congratulating their countrymen on their great and '
growing prosperity, our own is going round with a hat, to get relief to the l~
million and their families, some 7 million in all, to relieve them and the APs
can't see that his ignorance of the root cause is the primary cause.