Miss Edge of Strelley Hall

[Wendy Patterson 0]

Researchers seek information on the life and times of Miss Emily Mary Edge (1891-1978) of Strelley Hall, Nottingham and would like to hear from people who have any knowledge of her; whether personal memories or family stories. In addition, any knowledge/memories/stories of people who worked at Strelley Hall before 1978 or lived in Strelley Village. We hope to write a book about the life and times of Emily Mary Edge. Even very minor details are very welcome. Wendy Patterson and Margaret Leigh.

[FLY2 10,106]

Went on a guided tour round there last year,  given by the current owner. If you check the website, there may be others in the pipeline. 

They have about three a year. Best of luck.

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

I have a friend who is descended from the Strelley family. His great grandmother was Alice Georgiana Strelley who died in 1942.  I know he visited Strelley Hall when Miss Edge was resident there and I will ask him about it.

[DAVIDW 1,625]

Hi Wendy , welcome to Nottstalgia .

No personal knowledge but if you are writing a book on Miss Edge assume you have access to the news archives where there are hundreds of "hits" for either "Emily Mary Edge" or "Strelley Hall" up to about 1950 .

 

Having said that , there appear to be 2 ladies with that name , ( not checked) but assume the elder one was her mother ? 

Here's an example story :

 

 

"...by the death of Mr. J. T. Edge, D.L., of Strelley Hall, and an alderman of the County Council. A son of the late Major Hurt, he assumed the name of Edge on the'death of his uncle, Mr. J. T. Edge,.of Strelley Hall, who was reckoned the finest heavy-weight horse rider  ....he tipped the scales at over 20 stones."

24 January 1894 - Pall Mall Gazette - 

 

 

 

[philmayfield 5,509]

There was a young woman from Strelley....

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

8 minutes ago, philmayfield said:

There was a young woman from Strelley....

Who developed a craving for jelly...

[philmayfield 5,509]

10 minutes ago, Jill Sparrow said:

Who developed a craving for jelly...

She looked quite an eyeful when making a trifle .......

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

3 minutes ago, philmayfield said:

She looked quite an eyeful when making a trifle .......

But when cornered, barked "Not on your Nellie!"

[philmayfield 5,509]

[philmayfield 5,509]

I was rather hoping for a reference to vermicelli. 

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

Was it not he who painted that naughty picture of Venus rising from a seashell?

[philmayfield 5,509]

'The Birth of Venus'. That takes me back to 'O' Level art days!

[katyjay 4,997]

Wendy must wonder about you lot. Her enquiry went from Emily Mary Edge, to a limerick to a painting! And we're still on page 1.

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

9 hours ago, katyjay said:

Wendy must wonder about you lot. Her enquiry went from Emily Mary Edge, to a limerick to a painting! And we're still on page 1.

We're nothing if not multi disciplinary! 

[Jill Sparrow 9,672]

I have spoken to my friend about Miss Edge and he tells me that in 1966, when he was 15, his grandmother, Ruth Barber (the daughter of Alice Georgiana Strelley, took himself and a school friend to see Strelley church which is near to the Hall.  As the church was locked, they were advised to go to the Hall to obtain the key.  Having walked the short distance and rung the bell, there was a considerable delay before the door was opened by an ancient and venerable butler who looked as though he belonged in a Victorian melodrama!  On learning what was required,  he informed the visitors that he would go and ask Miss Edge whether she would permit them to borrow the key to the church and disappeared down a long corridor at a very slow pace indeed. Eventually, he reappeared complete with key and asked them to return it when they had finished viewing the church.

 

My friend's second visit to Strelley Hall was in the late summer of 1971 when he attended a sale of items, presumably belonging to Miss Edge, who he thinks was by then no longer in residence. He was accompanied on this occasion by Caroline Isabella Fryar whose mother was also a member of the Strelley family, Louisa Mary Strelley, the sister of Alice.

 

Since they were both keen collectors of antiques, they were looking for any items which may have dated from the time of the original Strelley family having lived at the Hall, which was not the one now on the site. Although there was some Elizabethan furniture, this could not be linked to members of the original Strelley family having lived there. He does recall that there were a number of excellent pictures, mainly of horses, some of which were by Stubbs. The pictures made half a million pounds which was considerably more than the hall itself realised when it was sold. He still has the sale catalogue somewhere among his copious and unruly papers!

 

Although he never met Miss Edge, he does have a comprehensive copy of the Strelley family tree and believes that the Edge family married into the Strelley family at some point.  Some years ago, I went with him to visit Strelley Hall which was by that time divided into offices and we also had a look at Strelley church which is definitely worth a visit.

[davep5491 360]

5 hours ago, Jill Sparrow said:

there was a considerable delay before the door was opened by an ancient and venerable butler who looked as though he belonged in a Victorian melodrama!  On learning what was required,  he informed the visitors that he would go and ask Miss Edge whether she would permit them to borrow the key to the church and disappeared down a long corridor at a very slow pace indeed.

The butler was not slow paced when he strode across the road to collect his Jean Harlow lookalike daughter from our goodnight embraces. The friendship didn't have much future as her dad appeared to have sight of everything that moved in Strelley when his daughter was out and the walk home in the early hours of the morning was a bit creepy.

[Dave 48 847]

Hi Dave would that have been Sue by any chance ?

[davep5491 360]

Hi Dave, I remember a few things about her but shamefully do not remember her name, she worked in the offices at Players.The day after I first escorted her home my next door neighbour David Barker, who also worked there, gave me a rundown of what had happened the night before.

Your question suggests that you know a bit more than I do. Did she have a sister?

[Dave 48 847]

I think her surname is Peake and she still lives in Strelley Village  just down from me. The cottage she lives in was her father's and it came with the job at the hall.

Now when I lived on Yatesbury Crescent my next door neighbours  on one side both worked at Players  and the lady then in later years went on to be the head cook at Glaisdale School and Sue was her assistant .

I know Sue still lives in the cottage but not seen her for a few years because she is housebound now and has carers come on a daily basis. Not sure if she had a sister.

[Fleur smith 5]

On 10/31/2018 at 4:33 PM, Wendy Patterson said:

Researchers seek information on the life and times of Miss Emily Mary Edge (1891-1978) of Strelley Hall, Nottingham and would like to hear from people who have any knowledge of her; whether personal memories or family stories. In addition, any knowledge/memories/stories of people who worked at Strelley Hall before 1978 or lived in Strelley Village. We hope to write a book about the life and times of Emily Mary Edge. Even very minor details are very welcome. Wendy Patterson and Margaret Leigh.

I have just joined this group after finding it by chance in the internet...my father lived in strelley from 1936 to 1963 ,his family farmed at Catstone Hill Farm ...and were tenants on the strelley estate ...he always said the happiest time of his life was spent in Strelley ,he always had many stories to tell from an age and way of life which has long since disappeared.. I was brought up in Shropshire and now live in Worcestershire...but have a very strong affinity with Strelley ,many relations still lived in the surrounding area wh e  i was young and I have walked many times up to Catstone Hill .....my father died in 2012 and is buried in the churchyard at strelley ...his name was Norman Smith ,his mother was Alice and father Henry ,and he was one of 8 children ...my big regret is that I did not record his memories in writing before he died ....it would have made wonderful reading ..I do however remember a lot ...and would be very happy to provide any information if you would be interested ,regards fleur

[RodNeep 9]

When I was a kid (1950s) Strelley was part of our regular haunt. I met Miss Edge quite often. She was venerated by the villagers, who (being tenants) were somewhat in awe of her, and somewhat intimidated. A powerful figure. However, whenever we kids hung around the church and the hall she would always invite us in for a cake and a cup of tea! She was nothing like her reputation. She was a loving and lovely grandmother figure :-)

[Beekay 4,400]

My only claim would be that my future wife and I were on a waiting list for one of the cottages, prior to getting married in 1965.

My wife's cousin and her husband lived in a cottage for quite a while, if interested, I will try and furnish what details I can.

We stayed on the waiting list until we were offered a council house off Valley road, Sherwood.

[CarriebidaeCarabidae 1]

On 10/31/2018 at 6:10 PM, Jill Sparrow said:

Who developed a craving for jelly...

And had a protruded belly.....

[mark26 1]

    Mary Edge about 1913 Strelly Hall around 1913 with goat

[Alpha 166]

Wow! She looks quite a stunner!