We have just returned from the picturesque Cotswolds where we spent a week visiting country homes, gardens and lots of antique shops – a passion shared by my husband and pa-in-law who joined us and both have stalls at an Ely antique centre.
They found it impossible to strike up a bargain with dealers in the shops we visited where prices were much higher than East Anglia; they wouldn’t even give a trade discount. No surprises then that their shops had few customers, and I didn’t hear any tills jangling.
As well as Sudeley Castle and the Indian themed Sezincote, we went to the National Trust’s Snowshill Manor. It was my third visit there where I recorded this video – one of my first – on dowsing, and it has had almost 33,4000 hits which I find astonishing. I knew my husband would be fascinated by the unique and varied collections at Snowshill, and it seemed a great venue on a rainy day.
I am riveted about the life of the eccentric owner Charles Wade who began his collection as a seven-year-old boy when his grandmother would once a week open up her elaborate Chinese cabinet for him; an Aladdin’s cave containing many mesmerising and glittering objects. However, Charles didn’t live in the Manor House where he entertained his eclectic friends, including Virginia Woolf, Graham Green and Jon Betjeman in fancy dress costume, he lived in a what was called the Priest’s House which was close to the main house, surrounded by his favourite pieces. Wade was clearly not a modern man. He died in 1956, but there are no signs of 20th century life in Snowshill Manor, famed for its collection of Japanese Samurai warriors. Sadly, Charles had a cold and loveless marriage, he simply married a woman who did not share his interests.
One interesting photo in the house shows Charles as a young boy at Yoxford Manor in Suffolk where friends of mine used to live until moving to Aldeburgh, though I didn’t know them then. The friend I first visited Snowshill with recognised it straight away as she has always spent happy holidays there with them there.
I never thought that there would be a connection between Charles Wade and myself, however tenuous. I would loved to have known him.
I hope you watch the video and enjoy learning about dowsing.
Dowsing at Snowshill Manor
I loved Snowhill when I visited it a couple of years ago. I have been meaning to go back but I haven’t got round to it yet.
I’m always fascinated by the buildings at Snowshill and the way they sit in the garden. Such an interesting place to wander round. Here’s a virtual tour I shot there a while ago which gives you a good idea of what the garden looks like: http://uktripper.com/visits/snowshill-manor-and-garden/
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Your hubby and I enjoy finding a good bargain on collectible items at antique centers! I too am baffled at the audacity here in the USA of merchants refusing to budge on price when it is clear we may be on the brink of a catastrophic double recession!