Everyone loves a good wedding, eh? And Lady Maud Rolleston of Watnall Hall was certainly no exception. When any of her staff announced wedding plans, she'd enthusiastically get involved with the planning of the happy event, providing wedding dresses, gifts, flowers, use of the hall, catering, transport, etc. for the bride and groom. Not only weddings but grand high society events were another of Lady Maud's organizational talents. She was the first person to use the famous underground ballroom at Welbeck Abbey for a ball. More about that later...
Several of her staff benefitted from her generosity, from the hall's butler to the lowly kitchen maid. The Peat sisters too, daughters of one of Watnall Hall's gardeners, had help from Lady Maud as described below. Look out in their wedding report for "Mr. G. Chatterley of Eastwood" acting as best man, soon to inspire local author DH Lawrence. Seems from the wedding picture that even Sir Lancelot's white horse got a wedding invite!
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| Not a bad turn out for a Watnall gardener's daughter. It's perhaps one of the Peat sister's weddings but is this the 1889 or 1903 one? Most likely 1889 as on the front row is Rev. Von Hube of Greasley church and his wife wearing matching white crosses. Sir Lancelot doesn't have his stick so probably it's before his 1900 Boer War injury. Nice to see Sir Lancelot's horse got an invite too! |
Charlotte, the kitchen maid's wedding
Mrs Cassie Harrison, daughter of the Royal Oak's proprietor (1912-18), particularly remembers Charlotte the kitchen maid. Lady Maud, as part of her charitable work, used to visit an orphanage on Woodborough Road, Nottingham. During some of her visits, she met Charlotte and eventually took her on as a maid. "She looked after Charlotte for the rest of her life and Charlotte was, "Yes me Lady, Yes me Lady". You know she wasn't educated, but she was a good person." Slim and active, Charlotte was liable to go to the "Royal Oak" on the evenings of her day off and show off a bit.
"They'd say "Do us a split then Charlotte". "Right" she'd say. “I don't know if I would be playing the piano too. I can't remember. But Charlotte could do the splits like they did on the boards. She was ever so popular”. On her marriage to a local postman (Mr. Harpin), Lady Maud installed the new Charlotte Harpin in one of the Chain Cottages, right opposite the back gates of the Hall. The young couple eventually had a daughter, but Charlotte continued to work at the Hall.
Emma Smith, the Watnall Hall butler's wedding
Unusually for the time Watnall Hall's butler was female. Mrs. Emma Leaper, who was interviewed in her old age in May 1980 at 9, Cloverlands, Watnall. Before her marriage she was Emma Smith, born at Owthorpe in 1893. Her father was a farm labourer and her mother was in service, so it was natural, one supposes, that she was inclined in that direction. A sickly child, she was very anaemic and spent some time in a sanatorium. She and her mother came to Watnall, perhaps on the death of her father. She lived in a cottage with her mother and got a job as a light gardener two or three days a week at Watnall Hall.
About the time of the Great War, her luck changed when the butler "got into trouble with a parlour maid" and they were sacked so Emma Smith applied for the job as joint butler and house parlour-maid and got it. She trained for a month before starting her new duties, but it surely was unusual for outside staff to become inside staff, and with such an important job too.
She was married at the age of 40, on July 15th, 1933, to Ernest Leaper. They had the reception at Watnall Hall, and Lady Maud supplied the wedding dress. Ham was served as part of the wedding breakfast - two slices to each guest. She remained at the Hall after her marriage and served at least until the end of World War 2.
The Peat sisters - the weddings of the gardener's daughters
Alfred Peat was one of the gardeners at Watnall Hall and his three daughters all seem to have worked at the hall over the years. Two sisters were married with Lady Maud's able assistance.
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| Watnall Hall gardeners - not sure if Alfred Peat is one of them |
- Derby Mercury - Wednesday 01 May 1889
MARRIAGE AT WATNALL - The wedding of Mr. J. H. L. Bostock, of the firm of Messrs. Radford and Bostock. wholesale merchants. Carlton-road. Nottingham, and Miss M. Peat, daughter of Mr. Alfred Peat, gardener, Watnall Hall, and formerly of Kilburn. Derbyshire, took place at Greasley Chnrch. Notts. on Sunday, the 21st inst., the service was conducted by the Rev. R. Baron Von Hube, vicar. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. W. H. Attenborough, Mr, G. Chatterley Eastwood acted as best man. The bridesmaids were two sisters of the bride. Miss Eleanor and Miss Jane Peat and Miss Langley. The wedding breakfast was given by Mr. and Lady Maud Rolleston at Watnall Hall. Amongst the numerous presents were a large table lamp from Lady Rolleston ; Madam Rolleston, London [this would be Sir Lancelot's mother Eleanor who died in 1894], silver butter cooler ; Mrs. Allcock, The Hollies, fish bowl and silver fork ; and silver spoons and tongs from the Rev. K. Baron Von Hube. Mr. and Mrs. Bostock left Watnall for their borne at Nottingham early in the evening.
- Long Eaton Advertiser - Friday 05 June 1903
WATNALL Celebrations at AT WATNALL HALL - Miss E. Peat, after serving Lady Maud Rolleston for 17 years., was married on Monday from the Hall. the wedding breakfast being given by the Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston. Mr. J. A. Calvert, of Rauceby, Grantham, was the bridegroom. The service was held in Greasley Church. and conducted by the Rev. Hayman, of Edwinstowe. A large number of residents and friends were present at the church and a most interesting Address was given by the Rev. H. T. Hayman. At the close of the service breakfast was served at the Hall and nearly 60 guests were entertained. The colonel proposed the health of the bride .and bridegroom in a happy little speech. In replying to thanks from the bride's family, the speaker alluded to the fact that June the 1st was the 3rd anniversary of the accident he met with in the Transvaal war. Mr. And Mrs Calvert. left Watnall at 4 p.m. for Bridlington. where the honeymoon will be spent,. Lady Maud Rolleston lending her private carriage to take them to Kimberley Station. The bridesmaids were Miss. J. E. Peat (Sister of the bride) Miss Langley (of Ollerton) and Miss Jubb (of Sheffield) Mr Boston, of Osmanston acted as best man and Mr Bostock of Beeston ( Brother in law of the bride) gave her away. The guests included Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston, the Honorable Mrs Dalzel, the Rev TH and Mrs Hayman. The presents were numerous and valuable, including a full set of silver from the Colonel and Lady Maud, a dinner service from the Hon. Lady Dalzell, a marble clock from captain and Mrs Rolleston, while the Rev and Mrs Hayman gave a beautiful set of Indian gold embroidered dress front and cuffs.
Looks like the third Peat sister, Jane, who was Miss E Peat's bridesmaid, took over as Lady's Maud's maid. This was from an interview with Cassie Harrison from the Royal Oak... "[After WW2] In spite of the shortage of money, Lady Maud was looked after by the four servants she could still afford. Lady Maud's staff consisted of her housekeeper, Frances Morley, her cook, Mrs Evelyn Clements, who was assisted by kitchen maid Charlotte Harpin, and her Lady's Maid, Miss Jane Peat."
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| Lady Maud's own wedding to Sir Lancelot was in Devon, where she grew up, in 1881 |
Miss Emma Wardall - The Edwinstowe wedding
Around 1891 there's another marriage. Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud had moved from Watnall Hall to Edwinstowe House (unsurprisingly located in Edwinstowe) for him to start his new role as Master of the prestigious Rufford Hunt. One of the Peat sisters was a bridesmaid...
"EDWINSTOWE - MARRIAGE OF MR. PERCY MORLEY. - Considerable interest was manifested by many of the inhabitants of this picturesque village last week on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. Percy Williams Morley, a well-known resident, and Miss Emma Wardall, who for the last six years has been in the service of Colonel and Lady Maud Rolleston, of Edwinstowe House. The latter showed their esteem for and regret at losing the bride in a very handsome and generous manner. Lady Maud undertook the whole of the arrangements for the wedding. The Rev. H. T. Hayman gave a most impressive address at the close of the service, which was choral, ably conducted by Mr. T. Thomson (organist) and his choir. The bride, looking very pretty in a white dress with wreath and orange blossoms (the gift of Lady Maud), was attended by six bridesmaids, one being Miss Sarah Wardall (sister of the bride), Miss Williams, Miss Peat, Miss Langley, occupying various positions in the household, and two little daughters of Mr. F. Morley, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, eldest brother of the bridegroom, and Mr. Richards, butler to Colonel Rolleston. The church, beautifully decorated, was filled by spectators representing many influential and respected families in Edwinstowe. Those holding invitations issued by Mr. Rolleston and Lady Maud, numbering between sixty and seventy, at the conclusion of the ceremony repaired to Edwinstowe House to view the presents- numbering over eighty-which were tastefully displayed in the dining room, and to partake of the breakfast, which was liberally provided and heartily enjoyed. Colonel Rolleston in very cordial terms proposed the "Health of the Bride and Bridegroom," expressing the regret of Lady Maud and himself at losing losing the services of the bride. This was responded to by Mr. Morley, who expressed the thanks of all concerned, and gave the "Health of Colonel and Lady Maud," which was drank with musical honours. After various other toasts, the company was photographed in front of the house, and the bride and bridegroom took their departure en route for Warwick. The church bells rang out merry peals during the day, and the ringers and choristers were afterwards entertained to a meat tea supplied by Mr. Else."
The 1891 Rufford Hunt Ball at the Welbeck Abbey underground ballroom
Not only a weddings but grand high society events were another of Lady Maud's organizational talents. She was the first person to use the famous underground ballroom at Welbeck Abbey for a ball, 1891 Rufford Hunt Ball. The previous Duke, a reclusive eccentric who loved great construction projects had built it around 10 years before but used as an art gallery. He was very popular in the area as no one was ever out of work. Vast teams of men were always employed on one of his grand schemes or other...
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| The 1891 Rufford Ball - looks like the Rollestons 3rd & 4th (in short hunting jacket) from left to me |
A SUBTERRANEAN BALL AT WELBECK ABBEY - The Hampshire Advertiser - Sat 28 Nov 1891
When some two years ago Mr. Lancelot Rolleston, of Watnall, became Master of the Rufford Hounds, he and his wife, Lady Maud Rolleston, were anxious to bring the members of the hunt and their friends together at that pleasantest of all reunions, a hunt ball. Lady Maud mentioning the subject to the Duke of Portland he at once coincided with the idea, and added, "Why not have it at Welbeck ?" Why not, indeed! It would be an entertainment unique and unparalleled. It is needless to say the generous offer was accepted, and ever since great has been the excitement in the district round about the "Dukeries." To have a hunt ball was a great thing; but to have one at Welbeck, in the famous subterranean apartments, was to attain a height, or rather a depth never dreamt of.
Read more about Lady Maud and the Rufford Ball by clicking here.
The Golden Wedding of 1932
Let's hope that all the weddings here were as long and happy as Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud's who on Thursday, 25th February 1932 celebrated their Golden Wedding by giving a dinner for 100 friends and tenants at Watnall Hall. The after-party got a bit lively as you can read by clicking the link above. The whole village raised money for a present and bought them the Persian rugs that were still in the library when the house was cleared in 1954.
"SIR LANCELOT AND LADY MAUD ROLLESTON. GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONS. HAPPY WATNALL EVENT. HALF A CENTURY OF PUBLIC SERVICE...
...Outside Watnall it is not generally known that Lady Maud has regularly, for years held the Sunday School of the village church in her house, where she has a weekly attendance of over 40. It is rare, indeed, for another teacher to be needed to help her with the class. Small wonder that with the children, “the people at the Hall” are the fairy godfather and fairy godmother of Watnall’s village life. To-day, everyone rejoiced with the golden wedding party, although most of the local organisations have already expressed their wishes in tangible form. The Women's Institute have given Lady Maud, their president. a handsome present, and the boys and girls of the village Sunday school have given their teacher gifts subscribed for and purchased by themselves. The indoor and outdoor staff at the hall have expressed their good wishes in the form of a fine pair of travelling rugs, while the tenants on the estate have given a pair of Persian rugs that now grace the library.
Sir Lancelot and Lady Maud will return their thanks to the donors at the Ball to-night, when the whole of the tenants on the estate will attend a dinner, which is to be followed by community singing. It will be one of the happiest events in the whole history of Watnall - a village that has been built up on Rolleston traditions. To his wife it will be “just the climax of 50 happy years” and all Nottinghamshire will echo the wish that their wonderful partnership may long be continued on the lines that have made their name admired."
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| In the rose garden at Watnall Hall in their twilight years |
AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER (WE HOPE!)
THE END
There are plenty more "Tales from Watnall Hall" for you to enjoy at the main blog website here.
Sources - Watnall Hall and the Rolleston Family TA Horton 2000; Newspaper archives thanks to Lisa Fitzgerald. Photo credits - Notts Evening Post, Hampshire Advertiser, Scott-Dalgleish and Redgate/Jackson families.
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