Hemmingford Grey

On Monday 14 May, a group of us went to The Manor House at Hemmingford Grey, near Huntingdon, to see the house, gardens and wonderful patchworks of Lucy M Boston, author of the Green Knowe books.

The coronation topiary.

We were shown round by her daughter in law, Diana Boston, who explained that Lucy sewed all the quilts by hand before, during and after the Second World War when fabrics were hard to come by.  Not like us who have stashes of all sorts of fabric! 

Lucy Boston's Patchwork of the Crosses

She made her last quilt in her 90's [I think].  Beautiful quilts made from tea towels, ticking, table cloths and anything she could lay her hands on.

The children's room

Later additions on the east side of the house.

Diana told us how Lucy Boston would invite airmen from local air stations to listen to her collection of music

The RAF enjoyed their wartime record recitals here.

Lucy Boston was certainly ahead of the times during a very difficult period of history, and a visit to the house is like stepping back in time.

If you haven't visited the The Manor House at Hemmingford Grey and the beautiful gardens give them a call to arrange a visit.