MORE than 100 members have joined for the new programme year, so our September meeting was a crowded affair. Dr. Sylvia Pinches recounted the story of Maria Home, Housekeeper to the Earl of Warwick for over 40 years until her death in 1834. We learned about the role of servants generally, their annual income and how they moved about. Housekeepers however were educated and ran the house finances. Marie Homes also made money from tips provide by visitors asked to be shown around the castle. When the Earl was threatened by bailiffs she bailed him out. She died with an estate in current day terms of about £2 million.
A thoroughly great biography.
The next meeting is on Friday October 16 at 7.30pm in St. Laurence Church Hall, Bidford; Matthew Boulton and the Soho Mint.
JOHN ALEXANDER-HEAD
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