Latest news with #ChatsworthHouse
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 9 Best Books by the Mitford Sisters
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." If you've watched Outrageous and want to hear more from Nancy, Diana, Jessica, and Deborah—including the correspondence between them and those bookless sisters, Unity and Pamela—there's plenty to read. But where to begin? Here's T&C's short the least scandalous of then Mitford sisters, Deborah (or 'Debo') would grow up to become the Duchess of Devonshire and the chatelaine of Chatsworth House, which she managed to change from being a crumbling country estate into a booming attraction for tourists, history buffs, and garden fiends. This memoir is among the most charming of those written by the Mitfords, and recounts her happy childhood, a loving marriage, and a gimlet eye towards the eccentricities of her family. It's thankfully not lacking in gossip or glamour, and is a fine entry point to newcomers to the Mitford memoir universe. at 'Decca' Mitford ran away from home, heading to Spain with a second cousin she would marry. Later, she'd move to the U.S. and become a respected journalist and speaker as well as a devoted Communist. Her best known work, this deep dive into the American funeral industry was first published to wide acclaim—thanks to its sharp observations and unexpected humor—in 1963 and made Decca something of a literary star; this revised version includes additional intelligence and information from the decades after the book was first released. at she became an expert in the big business of dying, Jessica Mitford wrote this memoir about growing up in her eccentric, exceptional family. The book is a charming and memorable recollection of the singular circumstances under which Mitford was raised, but also a great coming-of-age story on its own—who wouldn't admire a kid who kept a Running Away Fund hidden in her room and then actually used it? at Mitford married one of the richest men in the U.K., then left him for a Fascist politician. She socialized with celebrities, heads of state, and royals, but spent more than three years in prison. She was a card carrying member of the Bright Young Things who later earned the title of 'The Most Hated Woman in Britain.' Why wouldn't you want to read her memoir? at there was anyone who was more talked about and ridiculed than Diana Mitford, it was Wallis Simpson. In this book, Mitford explores what made the Duchess of Windsor such a divisive character—and why her husband gave up the throne to be with her. The story benefits from Mitford's friendship with Simpson, but isn't a deification. Instead, it's a clear-eyed look at a woman whose love life made her a pariah, written by one of the only people who might understand that situation perfectly. at of Nancy Mitford's most beloved books are packaged together in this volume. The Pursuit of Love tells the story of the fictional Radlett family—eerily similar to Mitfords own, the depictions here would haunt her relations for years after publication—through the eyes of a visiting cousin. Love in a Cold Climate has the same narrator but focuses on another aristocratic British family and their daughter's attempts to find love and her own place in a rapidly changing world. Both show off Mitford's stylish writing and offer an unforgettable glimpse into the world she inhabited. at Mitford might be best known for her novels, but she was also an accomplished biographer. This book tells the story of Madame de Pompadour, the longtime mistress of the French king Louis VX who had incredible sway over France's politics and culture—and made plenty of enemies along the way. Mitford rethinks her subject's role and legacy, offering an informed and entertaining look at life in the royal court and what it took to have the kind of staying power Madame de Pompadour did. at six Mitford sisters contributed—unwittingly—to this book, which is a collection of the sharp, affectionate, funny, and revealing letters sent among them during their lifetimes. This peek into the private world of the women serves not only as a history of the 20th century, but also a rare look behind their public personas and into the complicated relationships they had with one another. at of what the Mitford sisters wrote (and said) about one another made for uncomfortable family interactions, but perhaps nothing more than Wigs on the Green, Nancy's satirical book—which was long out of print—that sends up the Fascist sympathies of upper class Brits, including her sisters Unity and Diana. Viewers of Outrageous will recognize the book as a plot point, and those yet to see the series will appreciate it for its astuteness and knowing commentary on the politics of early 20th century aristocrats. at You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chatsworth House: Primary school pupils takeover for the day
Chatsworth House is the large stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The historic house is packed with rare furniture, books and art and welcomes over 600,000 visitors each year. Lots of staff work at the house selling tickets, giving guided tours, serving food and working on the farm. However this week, things were a little bit different as all the jobs at Chatsworth were taken on by 99 pupils from a primary school. Pupils took over across the house and gardens, getting stuck in on a range of jobs that are usually done by adults at the site. Over in the gardens year five pupils got their hands dirty planting flowers and watering the who is 10, was one of the pupils working outside, she said: "It's really fun because I get to do all the jobs people at Chatsworth get to do." While year five were busy with the gardens, other year groups were on the door scanning visitors' tickets and handing out was a task many of the children said was there favourite job of the 9, said the day spent working at Chatsworth was said: "I loved handing out the pamphlets and telling people to have a marvellous day." Meanwhile, for some there was a smellier job over at the farm on the young volunteers took on roles helping to look after the animals, from brushing the horses, to feeding the goats. What a busy day.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chesterfield pupils take over Chatsworth House for the day
Nearly 100 schoolchildren swapped the classroom for a day working at a stately home in Derbyshire as part of a careers from Cavendish Junior School, in Chesterfield, were invited to Chatsworth House for Takeover Day, a national scheme that gives children and young people the opportunity to carry out jobs usually done by adults in museums, galleries and heritage Chatsworth, near Bakewell, this involved scanning tickets, greeting visitors at the house, petting farm animals and tending to the teacher Nicola Marlow said the school "jumped" at the opportunity to take part in the event on Thursday. "It's about aspiration, it gives them [the children] the opportunity to access different jobs," she added."There are so many opportunities here, it opens their eyes to a broader world." Heleema, 10, enjoyed a busy morning tending to the estate's gardens, watering the greenery and potting fresh said: "It's really fun because I get to do all the jobs people at Chatsworth get to do. "At school all you do is learn, but at Chatsworth you get a different experience." Her fellow classmate, Oliver, also 10, said: "I think we are the only ones in the UK who are doing this, and it's really fun." While nine-year-old Grace said the day had been "special". She added: "I loved handing out the pamphlets and telling people to have a marvellous day." Ms Marlow believes the day had an impact on the children's life said: "There's a child who really struggles with her confidence, and she has just been at the front of house welcoming people in. "At first she didn't want to speak to anyone, but within half an hour she was handing out pamphlets." She said the school would be keen to take part in another Takeover Day in the future."It's so important that the children are exposed to as many experiences and jobs as possible." Kerry Fernandez, arts and engagement manager at Chatsworth House, said the day gave children the opportunity to explore jobs that "might not even be on their radar".She said: "A lot of these children also may never have visited a historic house, this is a great cultural experience for them."
BBC News
24-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
'The UK is my home now but you never forget you are a refugee'
The first time Roxy looked out of a plane window was when she had to flee a war-torn country she once called aged 17, she is one of approximately 254,000 Ukrainian refugees who came to the UK following Russia's invasion on 24 February is estimated one million people have so far been killed or wounded in the conflict and thousands have been forced to abandon their for their safety, Roxy and her mother Alla Bredic also made the difficult decision to leave, their lives forever divided into "before and after the war". For Roxy leaving everything she knew behind was "an emotional struggle" that came with conflicting feelings."Although you feel at home, you never forget you're a refugee," she says."You don't only think about the country you left, you think about the life you left." Roxy and her mother moved in with Nikki Cohen in Leeds as part of the government's Homes for Ukraine to a new life in a different country did not come without its challenges and surprises."When Alla and Roxy came to Leeds, I think they assumed everybody sat down with a scone and jam everyday at four o'clock and drank tea out of china cups," Ms Cohen decision to open her home to them was in part influenced by Ms Cohen's own family history."My great-grandparents came to this country as refugees from what is now Lithuania," she says."I just felt really strongly that, heaven forbid, if I was in the same situation I'd want people to open their doors." The heartbreak of war includes not only the loss of life but the loss of a sense of Kasperovych, 18, says when she had to leave Ukraine's capital Kyiv, she felt her life was "ruined"."I had so many plans, I was going to finish school, I was going to go to university," she and her mother ended up living with Homes for Ukraine hosts Jan and Rob Livesley in the ability to speak English, Ola says her first few months in the UK were "hell"."It was hard to make new friends, it was hard to speak to other people because a lot of people think if I'm from Ukraine, I'm really different.""[I] was overwhelmed with studying and exams. It was important, I was so stressed." Last year, Ola's life was once again turned upside down when her mother, a doctor, was called back to Ukraine to help in a hospital."I have never lived alone," she says."I'm in a new city, a new country, it was really hard to understand."Luckily, Ola had the support of Mr and Mrs Livesley who she says have become "like grandparents"."I really appreciate what they've done for me," she Livesley says since Ola's arrival, they have created many wonderful memories, including trips to the Lyceum in Sheffield and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire at Christmas."We've become a blended family," says Mrs Livesley."We're all different and we all bring something different to the party."There's lots of nice things we've been able to do and build up our own little traditions too." Ola currently volunteers at DE Yummy, a Ukrainian cafe in Sheffield, which is run by Angelina and her 18, came to the UK in 2022 after losing her home."I think it's one of the most dangerous parts of Ukraine," she says."For four days we didn't have any electricity and had to be in the shelter and couldn't get out while the bombs fell."Angelina credits her settled life in the UK to her host family who helped them set up the business."If not for them, I wouldn't be here," she says."We became not just sponsors and Ukrainians who live in their house, we became family."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
