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Dressing up in Victorian costume, taking part in a typical Victorian lesson and even being sent to the corner of the room and wearing a dunce’s cap were all part of the experience of the young children from Barrow when they visited “The Museum of Childhood” at Sudbury Hall near Barrow upon Trent. As one young child commented: “I know this is only make-believe – but that teacher is awfully scary!”

Before the war Thomas Lomas: Footman at Thoresby Hall I became a footman at Thoresby Hall in 1938 aged 18 years. I do not think there was a butler at that time. The Dowager Countess Manvers (Helen) was old and did not entertain much so I had a life of luxury! The Hall more or less ran itself. The Dowager spent a lot of time in her room and everything went through her lady’s maid.  Occasionally she had afternoon tea i