PICTURE FROM THE PAST
'THE Irish peer, Lord Castlerey, a kinsman of the Duchess of Buccleugh who inspired my ancestor to construct the House in the Rock during the 18th century is pictured here with my great aunt (Granny Hemshall) on the Crag Top level of the grounds during the early 1930s whilst on his annual visit to the area in order to enjoy the delights of the spa facilities in Harrogate.
It was he who presented the magnificent Irish bog oak carving of a head and shoulders, its primeaval persona so strangely endearing, then on display to the visiting public accompanied by other relevant artefacts concerned with the history of the house.
There was a profound nostalgia concerning this annual pilgrimage which originated at the dawn of the 20th century when he engaged with the ‘great and the glorious’ enjoying the sumptuous cream teas served within the Edwardian ambience of the cliff-top tea room with its superb views of the Nidd Valley.
A much favoured ‘trysting’ venue where members of the Slingsby dynasty and their visitors met with the likes of the charismatic conductor of the orchestra and darling of the Kursaal, Julian Clifford accompanied by his notoriously beautiful lady love, the room with its strategically placed tables was a social ‘must’ during the summer season.
Little wonder that the genus loci of those seemingly endless summers drew back his lordship to experience a ‘whisper on the wind’ of romance amongst the chink of teacups, and soft caressing tones just discernible through the hum of conversation with its undertones of impending changes on the horizon.
A section of the tea room roof is just discernible to his left. The pathway upon which he and granny are standing he always referred to as ‘the rocky road to Dublin.’
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Weather for Ripon
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
